caught on time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "caught on time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was completed or addressed within a specific timeframe, often to avoid delays or issues. Example: "The project was caught on time, allowing us to meet the deadline without any problems."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Malaria is the main cause of death here, but it could be treated very easily if it were caught on time.

The Guardian

This makes hair very strong and prevents hair loss, if caught on time.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Nothing really caught on, and as time passed John found himself pinching his pence pretty hard.

The New Yorker

The company has made a number of attempts at building social products over the years, but products like Google+, Wave and Buzz never really caught on at a time when other products like Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat have taken off.

TechCrunch

It looks like Kaivan's idea caught on at the right time.

HuffPost

If the game caught on, Mr. Constantine said, "next time I want to hire Penélope Cruz".

The New York Times

Some nutritionists aren't convinced that the positive eating trend will catch on with time-strapped families.

The New York Times - Food

"It took me a long time to catch on, but he gave me the time to find my voice".

The New York Times

#blacklivesmatter didn't catch on immediately, but its time would soon come.

The Guardian

Breakthroughs take time to sell Jump to media player Scientific breakthroughs take time to catch on, says the inventor of miniature hearts.

BBC

Not even the students' yellow had time to catch on: some protesters wore pink.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "caught on time" to emphasize the importance of acting swiftly to prevent negative consequences. It's especially useful when discussing health issues or project management.

Common error

Avoid using "caught on time" when you actually mean "caught in time", which describes something preserved or trapped within a specific era or moment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "caught on time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to specify that an action occurred early enough to prevent a negative consequence. Ludwig provides examples of this usage in medical and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "caught on time" is a grammatically correct expression used to emphasize the importance of timely intervention to prevent negative outcomes. According to Ludwig, it appears in contexts ranging from medical discussions to general advice. While relatively rare, its meaning is clear: acting promptly can avert potential problems. Related phrases include "intervened early" and "detected quickly". Remember not to confuse it with "caught in time", which has a completely different meaning, referring to preservation within a specific moment. By understanding its usage, you can effectively highlight the benefits of swift action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intervened early

Highlights early action to change the course of events.

prevented in advance

Focuses on avoiding something before it happens.

detected quickly

Stresses the speed of identifying an issue.

identified promptly

Highlights the timeliness of recognition.

addressed promptly

Focuses on the speed of addressing an issue, rather than preventing it.

managed proactively

Highlights preventative action and control.

handled promptly

Focuses on taking care of something quickly.

resolved expeditiously

Emphasizes efficiency and speed in solving a problem.

halted swiftly

Focuses on the rapid stopping of something negative.

rectified immediately

Emphasizes immediate correction of something wrong.

FAQs

How can I use "caught on time" in a sentence?

You can use "caught on time" to describe situations where early detection or intervention prevented a negative outcome. For example, "Malaria can be treated easily if "caught on time"".

What does "caught on time" mean?

"Caught on time" implies that something was detected or addressed early enough to avoid or minimize negative consequences. It highlights the importance of prompt action.

What's a good alternative to "caught on time"?

Alternatives include "intervened early", "detected quickly", or "addressed promptly". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "caught in time" or "caught on time"?

"Caught in time" and "caught on time" have different meanings. "Caught in time" refers to something preserved or trapped within a specific period, while "caught on time" means something was addressed quickly to prevent problems.