caught doing something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "caught doing something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone being discovered while engaging in a particular activity, often with a connotation of wrongdoing or secrecy. Example: "He was caught doing something he shouldn't have been doing at the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

They were flustered, as if they'd been caught doing something forbidden.

The New Yorker

Ledford got caught doing something, but what he got convicted of doing was not that egregious".

The New York Times - Sports

That's what normally happens when companies are caught doing something they are not supposed to do.

The New York Times

People are sent back only rarely, often because they are egregious violators caught doing something illegal.

The New York Times

"If you get caught doing nothing, you get caught doing something".

The New York Times

Should a super PAC get caught doing something like this, its legal separation from a campaign means the crime could never drag down a candidate or party.

The New York Times

When cameras are around, he has a tendency to look frozen, as if he'd just been caught doing something wrong; his smile can look like a snarl.

The New Yorker

Some have shrugged off the Belichick violation as a minor trespass and suggested that Belichick was merely caught doing something that many teams practice in some form.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was exactly like watching a kid in school who has been caught doing something," said the editor, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect the identity of the victim, who cannot be identified according to Indian law.

The New York Times

The operating standard is to allow fund managers — or affiliated businesses or employees — to go as far as they can until the moment they are caught doing something wrong.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Just because I might not get caught for doing something wrong, doesn't mean it's okay for me to cut corners.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "caught doing something", ensure the context clearly indicates what the 'something' refers to, avoiding ambiguity. For example, specify "caught doing something illegal" rather than just "caught doing something".

Common error

Avoid using "caught doing something" without a clear antecedent. The reader should easily understand what action the person was caught performing. Otherwise, rephrase to specify the action directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "caught doing something" functions as a verbal phrase, typically used as part of a larger clause. It often acts as a predicate complement, describing the state or action of a subject being discovered. The examples provided by Ludwig show it in various contexts, mostly related to negative or forbidden actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "caught doing something" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe someone being discovered in the act of performing a specific action. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's important to ensure the 'something' is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "discovered in the act" or "found red-handed" can provide nuanced variations. Remember to avoid vague pronoun usage for maximum clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seen in the act

A straightforward way of describing someone being observed during an activity.

discovered in the act

Focuses on the moment of discovery, often implying a more formal or legal context.

found red-handed

Implies undeniable guilt and immediate discovery while committing a misdeed.

busted doing something

An informal way of saying someone was caught, often used among younger people.

caught in the midst

Highlights the timing of the discovery, emphasizing that the person was interrupted.

apprehended in the process

Suggests a more formal capture or arrest while someone is actively doing something.

caught in the middle of it

Emphasizes being interrupted or discovered during the progression of an activity.

spotted engaging in

Implies a casual or observational discovery of someone doing something.

uncovered while performing

Suggests the discovery of an action that was previously hidden or unknown.

realized doing something

Focuses on the individual's sudden awareness of being observed or discovered.

FAQs

How can I use "caught doing something" in a sentence?

The phrase "caught doing something" is used to indicate that someone was discovered in the act of performing an action, often implying wrongdoing or surprise. Example: "The student was caught doing something he wasn't supposed to."

What are some alternatives to "caught doing something"?

You can use alternatives like "discovered in the act", "found red-handed", or "seen in the act" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "caught doing something" or "caught to do something"?

"Caught doing something" is the correct and idiomatic phrasing. "Caught to do something" is grammatically incorrect and not commonly used.

What does it mean when someone says they were "caught doing something"?

It typically implies that they were discovered while engaging in an activity that was either forbidden, secretive, or unexpected. The specific meaning depends on the context, but it usually carries a connotation of being found out.