caught the bus

USAGE SUMMARY

"caught the bus" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone successfully boarded a bus to travel to their destination. Example: "I woke up late and almost missed my appointment, but I managed to catch the bus just in time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

I caught the bus uptown.

The New Yorker

She caught the bus back.

The New Yorker

We caught the bus south to Zomba.

The Guardian - Travel

Everyone else walked or caught the bus.

The Guardian - Opinion

So I crossed my fingers and caught the bus.

The Guardian - Travel

We're like the dog that caught the bus.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

"To catch the bus".

The New York Times

And then catch the bus downtown.

The New Yorker

Let's catch the bus back to the hotel".

The New Yorker

They got up in time to catch the bus.

The New Yorker

You have to go to Duluth to catch the bus.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's routine or daily commute, "caught the bus" is a clear and concise way to convey their mode of transportation. Use it to establish setting or provide context for their actions.

Common error

Ensure the tense of "caught" aligns with the narrative's timeline. Avoid mixing past and present tenses when describing a single event. For example, don't write "Yesterday, I catch the bus because I caught the train."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "caught the bus" primarily functions as a verb phrase within a sentence. It typically acts as the main verb expressing an action completed in the past. Ludwig examples demonstrate its common usage in narrating events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "caught the bus" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase indicating that someone successfully boarded a bus. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts and has a neutral register, making it appropriate for both formal and informal communication. When writing, remember to keep the tense consistent and consider using alternative phrases like "boarded the bus" for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

boarded the bus

Replaces "caught" with "boarded", focusing on the action of getting on the bus.

got on the bus

Uses a more common and informal way to express entering the bus.

took the bus

Focuses on the action of using the bus as transportation.

managed to get the bus

Emphasizes the effort or success in catching the bus.

hastened to the bus

Highlights the speed at which someone approached the bus.

made it to the bus

Focuses on successfully arriving and boarding the bus.

flagged down the bus

Highlights the action of signaling for the bus to stop.

grabbed the bus

Emphasizes the quickness of boarding the bus.

hopped on the bus

Uses a more casual and quick way to describe getting on the bus.

secured a ride on the bus

Focuses on successfully obtaining transportation via bus.

FAQs

How can I use "caught the bus" in a sentence?

"Caught the bus" indicates that someone successfully boarded a bus. For example: "She "caught the bus" to work this morning."

What's a more formal alternative to "caught the bus"?

While "caught the bus" is generally acceptable, you might use "boarded the bus" in more formal writing. For example: "The passenger "boarded the bus" at the station."

Is it ever incorrect to say "caught the bus"?

It's grammatically correct, but consider your audience and context. In some regions, other phrases like "got the bus" might be more common, but ""caught the bus"" is widely understood.

What's the difference between "caught the bus" and "took the bus"?

While similar, "caught the bus" implies a sense of timing or effort, while "took the bus" simply indicates using the bus as a mode of transport. "I "caught the bus" just before it left" versus "I "took the bus" to school".