caught for work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "caught for work" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express being engaged or occupied with work, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "I was caught for work when I was supposed to be on vacation."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Alfonso said he would probably leave if he were caught for working illegally at Tyson and, perhaps, go to South Carolina, where he heard that there was farm work.

The New York Times

Until midmorning Friday, life in the bucolic commuter borough of Chatham, N.J., was bustling uninterrupted: residents caught trains for work in Manhattan, children went to school, and Halloween decorations were splayed on the lawns and porches of homes throughout the tree-lined streets.

The New York Times

Furthermore¸ the majority were of the view that the chance of getting caught for scientific misconduct in their work environment was low (56.1%) or very low (19.7%).

BMC Medical Ethics

Furthermore¸ the majority (56.1%) were of the view that the chance of getting caught for scientific misconduct in their work environment was low.

BMC Medical Ethics

It also helps to make judicious use of your limited time and catch up for work undone.

Huffington Post

Ensure the research work is original research work as you might get caught for plagiarism.

WikiHow

John Flaherty, who caught for the Yankees in 2005 and worked with Girardi for the YES Network, said Girardi was always vague about it.

The New York Times - Sports

Lobsters are caught for export.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They're credited with helping realise many projects here, from the local factory producing cooking oil, cotton and soap, to a secure rehabilitation centre for young boys caught working for the Taliban.

BBC

The ponies were turned loose into the peat bogs when they were not needed, then later re-caught for work.

Wikipedia

George W. Bush faced such a challenge at the start of his presidency with the arrest of Robert Hanssen, a longtime F.B.I. agent caught working for Russia.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using "caught for work", consider using clearer phrases like "discovered working", "found on the job", or "busy with work" to avoid ambiguity and ensure effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "caught for work" as it suggests a misunderstanding of how prepositions function with the verb "caught". It's better to say someone was "caught working" or "caught on the job".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "caught for work" is intended to describe a situation where someone is discovered while working. However, the phrase is not grammatically sound and doesn't effectively fulfill its intended function. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "caught for work" is grammatically incorrect and lacks a clear meaning in standard English. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. It is best to avoid using this phrase and instead opt for clearer, more precise alternatives such as "discovered working", "found on the job", or "busy with work", depending on the intended context. Using these alternatives ensures effective communication and avoids any potential ambiguity or confusion. Choosing the right expression is essential for clarity in both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

caught in the act of working

Emphasizes the immediacy of being caught while actively engaged in work.

found on the job

Highlights the location and activity of being found while working.

found engaged in work

Highlights the involvement and activity of being found while working.

discovered working

Emphasizes the act of finding someone in the process of working.

caught on company time

Specifically refers to being caught doing something other than work during paid work hours.

apprehended during work hours

Focuses on the act of being caught while at work, specifically during scheduled work time.

discovered performing job duties

Formally states the act of being found while carrying out assigned tasks.

busted while working

Implies being caught doing something potentially wrong or against the rules while working.

busy with work

Indicates a state of being occupied with work tasks, without necessarily being "caught."

occupied with work

Similar to 'busy with work', indicating engagement in work activities.

FAQs

What does "caught for work" mean?

The phrase "caught for work" is not standard English and lacks a clear meaning. It may be intended to express being discovered while working, but it is grammatically awkward. Consider using more precise alternatives.

How can I rephrase "caught for work" to be more clear?

Instead of "caught for work", use phrases like "discovered working", "found on the job", or "busy with work", depending on the intended meaning.

Is "caught for work" grammatically correct?

No, "caught for work" is not grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "caught working" or "caught doing something at work".

What's the difference between "caught for work" and "caught working"?

"Caught for work" is grammatically incorrect and doesn't convey a clear meaning. "Caught working" is the correct way to express that someone was discovered in the act of working.