caught their eye

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "caught their eye" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means that something or someone grabbed someone's attention or was noticed by them. Example 1: The advertisement caught their eye as they walked past the store. Example 2: The bright colors of the flowers caught their eye and they couldn't resist taking a picture. Example 3: When she entered the room, the portrait hanging on the wall immediately caught their eye. Example 4: The new product launch caught their eye and they couldn't wait to try it out. Example 5: The statue in the center of the square caught their eye with its intricate design and they couldn't help but admire it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It caught their eye".

The New York Times - Science

The concept of consensus really caught their eye".

The New York Times

What caught their eye was a most unusual tapestry.

The New York Times - Arts

The editors of Goings On share online happenings that caught their eye.

The New Yorker

Each week, the editors of Goings On��share online happenings that caught their eye.

The New Yorker

Colleagues recently pointed out two such words that had caught their eye.

The New York Times

Every week, the editors of Goings On share online happenings that caught their eye.

The New Yorker

The editors of Goings On share links to online happenings that caught their eye.

The New Yorker

Each week, the editors of Goings On share online happenings that caught their eye.

The New Yorker

— Russell Platt Each week, the editors of Goings On share online happenings that caught their eye.

The New Yorker

We can guess at several other reasons this material might have caught their eye.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "caught their eye" to describe something visually appealing or immediately noticeable. For example, "The vibrant colors of the painting immediately caught their eye."

Common error

Avoid using "caught it's eye" instead of "caught their eye". "Their" indicates the plural possessive, while "it's" is a contraction of "it is" or the possessive of "it".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "caught their eye" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe something that has attracted someone's attention visually. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "caught their eye" is a common and correct idiomatic expression used to indicate that something has attracted someone's attention. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure you use the correct possessive form ("their" instead of "it's"). While there are many alternatives, such as "attracted their attention" or "drew their attention", the original phrase remains a versatile and effective way to describe visual appeal or immediate noticeability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attracted their attention

Replaces "caught" with "attracted" while maintaining the same core meaning.

grabbed their attention

Similar to "caught", but with a more forceful connotation.

captured their attention

Uses "captured" instead of "caught", suggesting a stronger, more immediate effect.

drew their attention

Employs "drew" to indicate a gradual attraction of interest.

stood out to them

Highlights the prominence or distinctiveness of something.

appealed to them

Shifts the focus to the attractiveness of something rather than the act of catching attention.

piqued their interest

Suggests a more intellectual or curious form of attention.

gained their interest

Indicates an increase in interest over time.

something took their fancy

A more idiomatic way of expressing that something pleased them or caught their attention.

they noticed

A simpler, more direct way of saying something was observed.

FAQs

How can I use "caught their eye" in a sentence?

You can use "caught their eye" to describe something that attracted someone's attention. For example, "The new product display in the store "caught their eye", prompting them to enter".

What is a more formal way to say "caught their eye"?

In a more formal context, you could use phrases like "attracted their attention" or "drew their attention" to convey a similar meaning with a slightly more elevated tone.

Is "caught their eyes" grammatically correct?

While "caught their eye" is more common when referring to a singular item or a general sense of attraction, "caught their eyes" is grammatically correct when multiple distinct items each attract attention. For example, "Several glittering ornaments "caught their eyes" as they entered the shop".

What's the difference between "caught their eye" and "grabbed their attention"?

"Caught their eye" suggests a more subtle or visual attraction, whereas "grabbed their attention" implies a more forceful or immediate capturing of interest, not necessarily visual.