have caught up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have caught up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has reached the same level or position as someone else after a period of time or effort. Example: "After weeks of hard work, I finally have caught up with my classmates in the course material."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

We have caught up.

The Guardian

Now us Danes have caught up".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They have caught up with it".

The Guardian - Film

"By 2020, they will have caught up.

The New Yorker

(Although China may already have caught up).

The New York Times

"The poorer states have caught up.

The New York Times

In 2014 Republicans insist they have caught up again.

The Economist

The world seems to have caught up with that book.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

They've caught up.

The Guardian - Sport

Today it has caught up with Estonia.

The Economist

Time has caught up with aesthetics.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have caught up" to indicate that a person or thing has reached the same level or standard as another after a period of progress or effort.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase in future tenses when describing past or current situations. For example, instead of saying 'They will have caught up by next year' when you mean they are currently at the same level, use 'They have caught up'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have caught up" functions as a present perfect verb phrase, indicating the completion of an action of reaching the same level as someone or something else. It demonstrates that a previous gap or difference has been closed, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have caught up" is a versatile and commonly used present perfect verb phrase. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it is grammatically correct and used to indicate that something or someone has reached the same level or standard as another. It’s frequently found in news and media, as well as academic and scientific writing. For alternative phrasing, consider options such as "have reached parity" or "have closed the gap". Avoid using future tenses incorrectly, and remember that this phrase is suitable for various contexts, maintaining a neutral tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have reached parity

Focuses on achieving equality or equivalence in a specific aspect.

have drawn level

Emphasizes the act of becoming equal, especially in a competitive context.

have made up ground

Highlights the effort involved in reducing a deficit or gap.

have closed the gap

Directly refers to diminishing the difference between two entities.

have leveled the playing field

Implies creating equal opportunities after a period of imbalance.

have become equal

States a condition of equality has been achieved

the consequences are here

Focuses on the delayed arrival of negative outcomes.

the chickens have come home to roost

An idiom suggesting that past actions are now causing problems.

reality has arrived

Emphasizes the sudden or belated realization of a situation.

the past is now present

Highlights how previous events now impact the present.

FAQs

What does "have caught up" mean?

The phrase "have caught up" means to reach the same level or standard as someone or something else after a period of effort or progress. It implies a previous gap that has now been closed.

When should I use "have caught up"?

Use "have caught up" when you want to express that someone or something has successfully reached a point where they are equal or comparable to others, especially after being behind or at a disadvantage.

What can I say instead of "have caught up"?

You can use alternatives like "have reached parity", "have drawn level", or "have closed the gap" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "had caught up" instead of "have caught up"?

Both "had caught up" and "have caught up" are grammatically correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Have caught up" refers to a present perfect tense situation, meaning the action has been completed by now. "Had caught up" is past perfect, referring to an action completed before another point in the past.