is caught

USAGE SUMMARY

"is caught" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone or something has been detected or identified. For example: "The thief is caught on camera and the police are on their way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"David Cameron is caught.

The Guardian

The pass is caught.

The New York Times - Sports

Wales is caught in Scotland's slipstream.

The Economist

He is caught somewhere in between.

The New York Times

Hospoda is caught somewhere between the two.

The New York Times - Food

The god is caught mid-leap.

Independent

Something is caught in its throat.

The New Yorker

But it is caught between competing objectives.

The Economist

He is caught in time.

The Guardian - Books

It is caught on a handbag.

The Guardian - Travel

The FA is caught in the middle.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is caught", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the catching, either explicitly or implicitly. For example, "The thief is caught on camera" is clearer than "The thief is caught."

Common error

Avoid using "is caught" in sentences where it's unclear who or what performed the action. Rephrase to specify the agent, such as changing "The error is caught" to "The system catches the error".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is caught" functions as a passive voice construction, where the subject receives the action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct, indicating that someone or something is being detected, apprehended, or trapped. This structure is widely used across various contexts to denote a state of being acted upon.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

OtherRelated

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is caught" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive voice construction, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It primarily serves to indicate that someone or something has been detected, apprehended, or implicated in a particular situation. Analysis reveals its prevalence in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts, suggesting a neutral to semi-formal register. For clearer writing, it's advisable to ensure that the agent performing the action is either explicitly stated or easily inferred from the context. While versatile, avoiding ambiguous passive constructions enhances clarity and prevents misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is apprehended

Similar to "gets apprehended" but emphasizes the state of being seized by authorities.

gets apprehended

Focuses on the act of being formally arrested or seized by authorities.

is detected

Highlights the act of being discovered or noticed, often in a technical or investigative context.

is seized

Emphasizes the act of being taken or captured, often by force or authority.

is discovered

Emphasizes the unveiling or finding of something or someone, often unexpectedly.

is found out

Focuses on the revelation of a secret or hidden action.

is trapped

Implies being physically or metaphorically confined or unable to escape.

is busted

An informal way to say someone is caught doing something wrong.

is ensnared

Suggests being caught in a deceptive or complex situation.

is implicated

Indicates involvement in a crime or wrongdoing.

FAQs

How can I use "is caught" in a sentence?

You can use "is caught" to describe someone or something being detected or captured, as in "The suspect "is caught" on security footage" or "The fish "is caught" in the net".

What are some alternatives to saying "is caught"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "is apprehended", "is detected", or "is trapped".

Which is correct: "is caught" or "was caught"?

"Is caught" is used for present tense situations, while "was caught" is used for past tense situations. For example, "He "is caught" stealing now," versus "He "was caught" stealing yesterday."

What's the difference between "is caught" and "gets caught"?

"Is caught" generally describes a state of being, while "gets caught" describes the action of becoming caught. For example, "The ball "is caught" by the fielder" describes the result, while "He "gets caught" trying to cheat" emphasizes the process of being discovered.