got caught by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "got caught by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is discovered or apprehended while doing something wrong or illicit. Example: "He got caught by the teacher while trying to cheat on the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

"But I got caught by cancer".

The New York Times - Arts

I certainly got caught by one".

Independent

One got caught by making mobile phone calls, durr.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He got caught by Mitt Romney Thursday in a classic political move.

The New York Times

Joe Hart almost got caught by a Suarez corner aimed at his near post.

Independent

We got caught by a team that was full of desire".

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

They get caught by accident, I guess.

The New York Times

Most likely to: End up getting caught (by paparazzi).

The Guardian - Music

Let__'s not get caught by surprise again.

The New Yorker

Your book ends with you almost getting caught by seal clubbers in Namibia.

Independent

I keep getting caught by the three-year old putting the old ones in the bin.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "got caught by" to describe situations where someone or something is discovered or apprehended, especially when the agent doing the catching is important to emphasize. For instance, "The thief got caught by the police" highlights the police's role.

Common error

Avoid using "got caught by" when the focus should be on the action itself rather than who did the catching. For example, instead of "The mistake got caught by the editor", consider "The editor caught the mistake" to emphasize the editor's role.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got caught by" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone or something was discovered or apprehended by another entity. As Ludwig AI explains, it's a common way to describe being found out or intercepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

13%

Lifestyle

9%

Less common in

Sport

7%

Business

5%

Tech

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "got caught by" is a common and generally grammatically correct construction used to describe someone or something being discovered or apprehended. According to Ludwig AI, it is widely used, especially in neutral contexts like News & Media. While it's versatile, more formal alternatives like "was apprehended by" may be preferred in professional settings. As Ludwig's examples show, this phrase appears across diverse situations, ranging from being caught cheating to being caught in a natural disaster.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was discovered by

Implies a less formal finding, often involving being caught in a misdeed.

was apprehended by

Focuses on the formal act of being arrested or detained.

was found out by

Implies that a secret or hidden action was revealed.

was intercepted by

Suggests being stopped or caught mid-action, often in a planned activity.

was nabbed by

An informal term for being caught, often used in casual conversation.

was ambushed by

Conveys a sense of being unexpectedly attacked or caught off guard.

was busted by

A slang term for getting caught doing something illegal or prohibited.

fell victim to

Highlights the negative consequence of being affected by something.

succumbed to

Suggests giving way or being overpowered by something.

was overtaken by

Implies being surpassed or overwhelmed by a force or situation.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "got caught by" in a sentence?

The phrase "got caught by" indicates that someone or something was discovered or apprehended. For example, "He "got caught by" the teacher cheating on the test" or "The governor "got caught by" an avalanche and had to be rescued".

What are some alternatives to "got caught by"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "was apprehended by", "was discovered by", or "was intercepted by".

Is "got caught by" formal or informal?

The phrase "got caught by" is generally considered informal to neutral. More formal alternatives might include "was apprehended by" or "was discovered by".

What's the difference between "got caught by" and "was caught by"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "got caught by" often implies a more active or accidental discovery, while "was caught by" can be more neutral and simply state the fact of being caught. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.