caught across

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "caught across" is not standard in written English and may lead to confusion.
It could be used in contexts where something is unexpectedly encountered or experienced, but it is not commonly used. Example: "I was caught across the street when the sudden storm hit."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Initial reports of the measures are optimistic, suggesting larger sizes of fish caught across the seasons.

Marine Policy

The size-frequencies of fish differed between net heights and among tow durations, but there were no clear patterns in the proportions of fish caught across different size classes.

Fisheries Research

Estonia says he was kidnapped from home soil, while Russia claims that he was caught across the border trying to corrupt a Russian official.

The Guardian

A quarter of all the freshwater fish caught across the globe are pulled out of the Mekong and the river is second only to the Amazon for the number of fish species, with new species being discovered every year.

The Guardian

Pokémon Bank support is coming to Sun/Moon in January, too, letting you upload your Pokémon form previous games – and there's a new cross-game National Pokédex that will create a comprehensive compendium of all the Pokémon you've caught across games in one central place.

TechCrunch

In 2008, 4,386 t of H. gammarus were caught across Europe and North Africa, of which 3,462 t (79%) was caught in the British Isles (including the Channel Islands).

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Two boys play catch across Hamilton Avenue with a plastic bottle of vodka.

The New York Times

This study aimed to quantify angling effort and catch across a spatially complex system of 19 small (<100 ha) lakes, the Fremont lakes.

Fisheries Research

So what if I was about to discover that the train I'd hoped to catch across Tanzania hadn't run in six months?

BBC

Over the next few years, it gained national attention and caught on across the country.

The New Yorker

Wigginton slid but dropped his left shoulder, which caught Thole across the right side of his face.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common and grammatically standard alternatives such as "caught in" or "caught by" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "caught across" when you intend to express being "caught in" a situation or "caught by" an object or event moving across a space. Using "caught across" can lead to misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "caught across" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb. Ludwig indicates it suggests an action of intercepting or affecting something over an area, though it's not a standard construction. It implies a spatial relationship where something is intercepted while traversing a space.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "caught across" is a less common and somewhat non-standard prepositional phrase. Ludwig indicates that while it appears in various contexts like News & Media, Science, and Wiki, it's best to use it cautiously. Its intended meaning involves being intercepted or affected while traversing a particular area. Alternatives like "caught in" or "struck across" are typically more appropriate and grammatically sound. Therefore, writers should consider more conventional options for clarity and precision in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intercepted over

Replaces "caught" with a more precise term for stopping something in transit and uses "over" instead of "across".

affected throughout

Focuses on the influence or impact experienced across an area.

influenced throughout

Highlights the widespread effect or impact.

spread over

Emphasizes the distribution or reach of something.

experienced over

Focuses on the widespread experience of something.

encountered throughout

Highlights the act of meeting something in various locations.

detected throughout

Emphasizes the discovery or observation of something in various places.

observed throughout

Focuses on the widespread observation or witnessing of something.

prevalent across

Highlights the common occurrence or existence of something.

transpired across

Emphasizes the occurrence or taking place of something across an area.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "caught across" to sound more natural?

Consider alternatives like "caught in" or "caught by" depending on the context. For example, instead of "caught across the street", use "caught in the street" or "caught by a speeding car".

Is "caught across" grammatically correct?

While not strictly ungrammatical, "caught across" is not a standard or commonly used phrase in English. It's best to opt for more conventional alternatives to ensure clarity and avoid potential confusion.

What's the difference between "caught across" and "caught in"?

"Caught across" implies being intercepted or affected by something extending over an area, while "caught in" suggests being trapped or involved in a situation. The latter is more frequently and correctly used.

Can "caught across" be used to describe a physical impact?

It's generally better to use phrases like "struck across" or "hit across" to describe a physical impact. "Caught across" doesn't clearly convey the sense of physical contact.