catching up

USAGE SUMMARY

"catching up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about getting back up-to-date with something or somebody after a period of being behind. For example: "We had not spoken to each other in months, so we decided to meet up for coffee and spend some time catching up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But we're catching up.

Independent

But he's catching up.

The New York Times

He's catching up.

The New York Times - Books

So I'm catching up.

The New York Times

They keep catching up.

The Guardian

We're catching up.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

China is catching up fast.

The Economist

But women are catching up.

The Economist

Shanghai is fast catching up.

The Economist

My wind is catching up.

The New York Times - Sports

But America is catching up.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "catching up" in your writing, be specific about what is being caught up on. This provides clarity and context for the reader.

Common error

Don't use "catching up" without specifying the subject. For instance, instead of saying "I'm catching up", specify "I'm catching up on my reading" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "catching up" primarily functions as a verb phrase, typically used in the continuous tense to describe the action of reaching the same level or standard as someone or something else. Ludwig shows its use in numerous contexts, affirming its versatile application.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "catching up" is a versatile and very commonly used verb phrase that describes the act of reaching a desired level, reconnecting with someone, or becoming up-to-date. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and suitable for both informal and formal contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. To ensure clarity, it's advisable to specify what exactly is being caught up on. Alternatives include phrases like "getting up to speed" or "closing the gap", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

getting up to speed

This alternative emphasizes the process of becoming familiar with new information or developments.

closing the gap

Focuses on reducing the difference between two levels or positions.

making progress

Highlights the act of moving forward and improving, often in the context of overcoming a deficit.

gaining ground

Suggests an improvement in position or status, often in competition.

getting back on track

Implies a return to a previously followed path or schedule after a disruption.

evening the score

Refers to balancing a situation where one party was previously at a disadvantage.

drawing level

Suggests becoming equal or tied with someone or something.

reaching parity

Emphasizes the achievement of equality or equivalence.

making up lost time

Highlights the attempt to compensate for time that has been lost or wasted.

compensating for lost ground

Focuses on the effort to recover from a previous setback or disadvantage.

FAQs

How can I use "catching up" in a sentence?

You can use "catching up" to describe getting up-to-date with something, such as "I'm "catching up on the news"" or "We're "catching up with friends"".

What's a good alternative to "catching up"?

Alternatives include phrases like "getting up to speed", "closing the gap", or "making progress", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "I'm catching up on" something?

Yes, it is correct to say "I'm catching up on" something. This phrase is commonly used to indicate that you are trying to get up-to-date with a specific task or topic. For example, "I'm "catching up on emails"".

What's the difference between "catching up" and "catching up with"?

"Catching up" often implies getting up-to-date on something, while "catching up with" typically refers to reconnecting with someone or something. For example, you might be "catching up on work", but you're "catching up with old friends".