has caught a cold

USAGE SUMMARY

"has caught a cold" is a correct and usable sentence in written English.
Example: "My son has caught a cold, so I'm keeping him home from school today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

That is a lot of widgets for a business that has caught a cold.

The New York Times - Tech

They announced yesterday that they had been able to pass on the virus to a special strain of genetically modified mice – the first time a non-primate has caught a cold.

Independent

By Clarence Day The New Yorker, February 16 , 1935P. 25 Professor Smeed has caught a cold View Article By Jia Tolentino By David Remnick By Jelani Cobb By Sam Knight.

The New Yorker

High-tech industries, whose rise in the 1990s was trumpeted by officials as proof that Canada no longer produced only raw materials and cars, have their own troubles.In the past, whenever the American economy has caught a cold, Canada has had severe flu.

The Economist

Trainers have wrung their hands and horseplayers have scratched their heads week after week this spring as one 3-year-old after another has caught a cold, strained a ligament or failed to live up to expectations en route to the first Saturday in May.

The New York Times - Sports

The New Yorker, February 16 , 1935P. 25 Professor Smeed has caught a cold View Article Trump's Lawyers Argue That He Cannot Be Impeached Because He Was Never Actually Elected What Happens When a Bad-Tempered, Distractible Doofus Runs an Empire?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

I've caught a cold.

The Guardian - Music

He had caught a cold and was going to lie down for a while.

The New York Times

Fiona had caught a cold the first week, she said, but that was not unusual for newcomers.

The New Yorker

'Your work cannot be really good unless you have caught a cold doing it,' "comments Hackett, one of the five.

The New York Times - Books

Simon didn't sleep at all because he's used to soft mattresses and Sarah had caught a cold.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the context to determine if a more formal synonym like "contracted a cold" would be more appropriate than the common phrase "has caught a cold".

Common error

Avoid using "has caught a cold" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and professional language like "has contracted a respiratory infection".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has caught a cold" functions as a verb phrase indicating the present perfect tense of acquiring a common illness. It describes a completed action with present relevance, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has caught a cold" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone's current state of illness. According to Ludwig AI, it is frequently used in news and media, scientific articles, and encyclopedias. While perfectly acceptable in most contexts, more formal situations might benefit from using alternatives such as "has contracted a cold". When writing, be mindful of your audience and adjust your language accordingly to maintain the appropriate level of formality. Furthermore, although widely accepted, it is important to remember more specific language and alternatives exist to describe a cold depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has a cold

Shortened, more direct way of saying someone is experiencing a cold.

has contracted a cold

Uses "contracted" instead of "caught", implying acquiring the illness.

has come down with a cold

Replaces "caught" with "come down with", suggesting the onset of illness.

has developed a cold

Similar to "contracted", suggesting the gradual development of the illness.

is suffering from a cold

Focuses on the experience of having the cold, rather than acquiring it.

is ill with a cold

States the illness directly, specifying it's a cold.

is battling a cold

Implies active struggle against the cold.

is experiencing a cold

Focuses on the symptoms and effects of having a cold.

is afflicted with a cold

Emphasizes the negative impact of the cold.

is under the weather with a cold

Uses an idiomatic expression to describe feeling unwell due to a cold.

FAQs

What's the difference between "has caught a cold" and "has a cold"?

While both phrases indicate someone is experiencing a cold, "has caught a cold" implies the acquisition of the illness, while "has a cold" simply states the current condition.

What can I say instead of "has caught a cold"?

You can use alternatives like "has contracted a cold", "has come down with a cold", or "is suffering from a cold" depending on the context.

Is "has caught a cold" too informal for professional emails?

While acceptable, it might be perceived as less formal. Consider using phrases like "is experiencing cold symptoms" or "has contracted a mild illness" in formal communication.

Which is correct, "has caught a cold" or "has gotten a cold"?

"Has caught a cold" is grammatically standard. "Has gotten a cold" is also acceptable, especially in informal American English.