catching

USAGE SUMMARY

"catching" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a present participle of the verb "to catch," and can be used to describe an action that is in progress. For example, "She was throwing the Frisbee, and I was catching it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

He was chased for "catching the eye" of a lieutenant and running away.

The Guardian

When I wasn't worrying about how to stop the water breaching my bodily barriers, I was fretting about catching pond life in the miniature drag net that is a swimming costume on an ample bosom.

The Guardian - Travel

Related: Liverpool 2-1 QPR | Premier League match report It was no more than Villa deserved on the balance of play, with Fabian Delph catching the eye alongside Cleverley in front of the watching Roy Hodgson, although there was nearly a sting in the tail when Phil Jagielka pulled a goal back for Everton in injury time.

The Guardian - Sport

Besides, the process of holding drivers to account is easy because you have a means of identifying the miscreant and catching up with them at a later date.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

After a slow start Real tested Tomas Vaclik for the first time in the 13th minute when a James Rodríguez corner was met by Gareth Bale, with the goalkeeper catching the effort.

The Guardian - Sport

"I love my city and I love catching the different moods, especially with the changing seasons", he says.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

But eye-catching though that notion might be, the reality is that Labour is constantly playing catch up, and simply announcing odd welfare policies here and there does not amount to a coherent policy with an underlying theme.

The Guardian

A series of increasingly eye-catching screen roles followed, including Ada in the BBC's Bleak House, a guest shot on Doctor Who, the best friend in an ITV drama of another Austen, Northanger Abbey (playing second fiddle to Felicity Jones), and that stellar Seagull at the Royal Court, also in 2007.

The Guardian - Film

In a couple of years this scrappy former industrial site has been transformed into a sophisticated boat haven with an eye-catching, modernist building.

The Guardian - Travel

Tory insiders acknowledge that they have recently introduced eye-catching measures in areas with high immigrant populations – including adverts telling illegal immigrants to go home – as they try to hold on to white working-class and lower middle-class voters who are moving to Ukip.

The Guardian

Yet Pauleta drew a mixed reaction from Portuguese fans, used to technical and eye-catching strikers.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "catching" in a sentence, ensure the tense is consistent with the rest of the sentence. For example, "He is catching the ball" (present continuous) or "He was catching the ball" (past continuous).

Common error

Avoid using "catching" as a direct substitute for the noun "catch" in formal writing. While "catching" can function as a gerund (a verb acting as a noun), it's often clearer to use "catch" when referring to the act of catching itself.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "catching" is as a verb, specifically the present participle of "catch". As shown in Ludwig, it often functions as part of a continuous verb tense (e.g., "He is catching the bus") or as a gerund, acting as a noun (e.g., "Catching fish is fun").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Travel

15%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Catching", as identified by Ludwig AI, functions primarily as the present participle of the verb "catch". It is grammatically sound and incredibly versatile, finding its place in a wide array of contexts, from describing actions in progress to functioning as a gerund. Predominantly featured in news and media, travel, and sport reporting, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse applications. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its widespread use, affirming its status as a common and valuable term in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capturing

Highlights the act of taking possession or control of something.

grasping

Emphasizes the act of seizing or understanding something quickly.

seizing

Suggests taking hold of something forcefully or decisively.

intercepting

Focuses on stopping something in its course, often used in sports.

snagging

Implies obtaining something unexpectedly or opportunistically.

hooking

Implies attracting or ensnaring someone or something.

nabbing

Conveys the idea of catching someone doing something wrong.

landing

Suggests successfully obtaining something after effort.

detecting

Focuses on discovering or noticing something not immediately obvious.

bagging

Means securing or achieving something, often a prize or trophy.

FAQs

How can I use "catching" in a sentence?

"Catching" is the present participle of the verb "catch". You can use it in continuous tenses, such as "I am catching the bus" or as a gerund, such as "Catching fish is his favorite hobby".

What is an alternative to saying "catching up"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "reconnecting", "updating", or "meeting".

Is it correct to say "catching a cold" or "catching cold"?

Both are acceptable, but "catching a cold" is more common. "Catching cold" is more informal and implies the act of becoming cold, leading to a cold.

What's the difference between "catching" and "capture"?

"Catching" refers to the act of seizing something in motion, while "capture" often implies taking something into possession or control. For example, you might say "catching a ball" but "capture an enemy base".