caught the problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "caught the problem" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you're referring to the process of identifying or resolving an issue or difficulty. For example, "The team quickly caught the problem and were able to develop a solution before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The plant's operators underscore that they caught the problem early.

The New York Times

"Any one of those three agencies could have caught the problem much earlier".

The New York Times

Investigators found the pilot failed to use a checklist, which would have caught the problem.

The New York Times

The bank will acknowledge that it should have caught the problem faster, people briefed on the matter tell DealBook.

The New York Times

The bank, the people said, will acknowledge that it had lax controls and should have caught the problem faster.

The New York Times

JPMorgan, the people briefed on the matter said, will acknowledge that it should have caught the problem faster.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The Port Authority still insists that its inspections caught the problems and that whenever fireproofing fell off, it was reapplied.

The New York Times - Magazine

In fact, Wyeth said it caught the problems with Heparin during routine testing, which, it says, shows its quality control system works.

The New York Times

Once the problems began, many traders said it would have made sense if the firm's employees had not caught the problems for the first minute or so, given the speed at which Knight's program was firing off orders.

The New York Times

Such an audit would not have caught the problems that NEON is facing, they add.

Science Magazine

Catching the problem meant that "our safety process worked," he said, adding, "We don't fly until it's safe".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "caught the problem" to emphasize the timely or proactive identification of an issue, suggesting that addressing it early prevented further complications.

Common error

Avoid using "catch the problem" when referring to a past event; use "caught the problem" to indicate that the issue has already been identified.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "caught the problem" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating the action of discovering or identifying a specific issue. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase suggests that the issue was identified and potentially addressed. Examples show its use in describing situations where a problem was detected early, preventing further damage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "caught the problem" is a verbal phrase used to describe the act of identifying or discovering an issue, often implying a proactive and timely intervention. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage in written English. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as wiki and science contexts, the phrase carries a neutral register, making it suitable for various situations. While semantically related alternatives such as "identified the problem" or "detected the issue" exist, "caught the problem" emphasizes the act of finding and potentially resolving the issue promptly. It's important to use the correct tense, "caught", when referring to past events and to emphasize the benefit of timely identification of an issue. This phrase is a useful way to highlight efficiency and proactivity in problem-solving scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

identified the problem

Focuses on the act of recognizing the existence and nature of the problem.

detected the issue

Emphasizes the discovery of a problem, often through investigation or monitoring.

discovered the error

Highlights the finding of a mistake or inaccuracy.

uncovered the flaw

Suggests revealing a hidden weakness or defect.

recognized the difficulty

Focuses on acknowledging the existence of a challenging situation.

spotted the mistake

Indicates quickly noticing an error or oversight.

became aware of the problem

Highlights the process of gaining knowledge or understanding of an issue.

found the source of the issue

Focuses on locating the origin or cause of a problem.

addressed the matter

Shifts focus from discovery to actively dealing with a problem.

rectified the situation

Indicates correcting or fixing a problematic circumstance.

FAQs

What does "caught the problem" mean?

The phrase "caught the problem" means that someone identified or discovered an issue, error, or difficulty. It often implies that the problem was found and addressed promptly.

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

You can use "caught the problem" in a sentence like: "The quality control team "caught the problem" before the product was shipped to customers." or "The engineer "caught the problem" early, which saved the company a lot of money."

What are some alternatives to "caught the problem"?

Alternatives to "caught the problem" include "identified the problem", "detected the issue", or "discovered the error". The best alternative depends on the specific context.

Is "caught the problem" formal or informal?

"Caught the problem" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "identified the problem".