catchable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "catchable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that can be caught, often in contexts related to sports, games, or programming. Example: "The ball was thrown in a way that made it easily catchable by the player."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

As befits his spirit of adventure though, Buttler rode his luck, surviving a catchable chance to Ramdin off Rampaul when 37, and, earlier, when 22, having a caught-behind decision against him overturned on review.

The Guardian - Sport

Christopher Field of the Carnegie Institution's Department of Global Ecology, who is now the co-chair of WG-II, says the fact that the review process failed to catch the problem needs to be looked into.That a review process which included 40,000 comments did not catch the error proves that size is not everything especially since the error was quite catchable.

The Economist

He may need to move his body quickly to knock down an off-target pitch, chase a catchable foul ball, or pounce on a bunt.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As surfers, we're just hoping that it has a catchable moment (a takeoff point), and a ridable face, and that it doesn't break all at once (close out) but, instead, breaks gradually, successively (peels), in one direction or the other (left or right), allowing us to travel roughly parallel to the shore, riding the face, for a while, in that spot, in that moment, just before it breaks.

The New Yorker

Its star, for me, is Ryan Trecartin, an American artist based in Philadelphia, who orchestrates a shaggy installation in which scripted, digitally eventful videos (catchable on YouTube) feature madcap, often sexually ambiguous performers enacting phantasmagorical dramas in squeaky voices at very high speed.

The New Yorker

Mind you, the setting was Paris in 1942, when anything edible, or, frankly, catchable, was fair game.

The New Yorker

He does have occasional lapses with technique and allows tougher but catchable passes to bounce off his mitts.

The New York Times

I have to remind her to throw a catchable ball, because she's not throwing to Michael Irvin.

The New York Times - Sports

"I think everything that's in your area is a catchable pass," Hill said Tuesday.

The New York Times - Sports

He slung a pass into traffic, a catchable ball that bounced off his receiver and into the air, where it was intercepted by Vinnie Sunseri.

The New York Times - Sports

There were some plays where Jones had lapses extending his arms away from his body to catch the ball, and this is one of the reasons he drops passes that are catchable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a ball or object in sports, use "catchable" to indicate that the object was thrown or hit in a way that made it possible for someone to catch it. For instance, "The quarterback threw a "catchable" pass." This helps convey the quality of the throw or hit.

Common error

Avoid using "catchable" to describe abstract concepts or situations that cannot be physically caught. For example, instead of saying "The opportunity was catchable", opt for alternatives like "achievable" or "attainable" to maintain clarity and appropriateness.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "catchable" primarily functions to describe something that can be caught. Ludwig examples often showcase its use in sports contexts, such as "catchable pass" or "catchable ball", indicating the feasibility of making a catch.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "catchable" functions as an adjective to describe something that can be caught, predominantly found in sports and general news contexts. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of the term, with examples highlighting its usage in phrases like "catchable pass" or "catchable ball". While broadly applicable, writers should avoid using "catchable" in highly abstract contexts where physical catching isn't relevant, opting instead for alternatives like "achievable" or "attainable". Common synonyms include "able to be caught" and "within reach".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

able to be caught

Rephrases "catchable" with a more direct and literal description of the ability to be caught.

easy to catch

Highlights the simplicity and lack of difficulty in catching something.

within reach

Focuses on the proximity and accessibility of something to be caught.

within one's grasp

Similar to "within reach" but adds a sense of personal ability or potential.

retrievable

Emphasizes the possibility of getting something back, especially after it has been thrown or dropped.

interceptible

Specifically suggests the ability to stop something in transit, like a pass.

seizable

Implies the ability to take hold of something firmly and quickly.

graspable

Highlights the ability to be physically or mentally apprehended.

securable

Emphasizes the possibility of making something safe or secure, often through catching.

attainable

Focuses on the ability to achieve or obtain something, not necessarily through physical catching.

FAQs

How can I use "catchable" in a sentence?

"Catchable" is typically used to describe something, like a ball in sports, that can be caught. For example, "The pass was easily "catchable"", or "He threw a "catchable" ball".

What can I say instead of "catchable"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "able to be caught", "within reach", or "easy to catch".

Which is correct: "a catchable ball" or "a ball that can be caught"?

Both phrases are correct and can be used interchangeably. "A "catchable" ball" is more concise, while "a ball that can be caught" is more descriptive.

What's the difference between "catchable" and "retrievable"?

"Catchable" implies the possibility of catching something in motion, while "retrievable" suggests the possibility of getting something back after it has been lost or dropped. The difference is in the moment of the action.