rather caught up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather caught up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a feeling of being involved or engaged in something, often to a significant degree. Example: "I was rather caught up in the excitement of the event and lost track of time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Now I think the Americans have rather caught up on us and they too are producing great television.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I'd rather catch up on work in the evening, but I don't always have a choice.

The New Yorker

The last Republican senator was elected by the legislature, in Reconstruction, and ended his career rather ignominiously, caught up in a postal scandal.

The New York Times

But many of the largest groups, such as Somalis, applying to enter Britain and other rich countries as refugees are not facing individual persecution but rather are caught up in regional conflicts or civil wars or even natural disasters.

The Guardian - Books

Based on a study of bankers' home buying behavior he tells us that they were not acting criminally, but rather were caught up in the irrational exuberance of the housing bubble, as though these were mutually exclusive possibilities.

Huffington Post

It helps me to remember what I'm supposed to be doing rather than getting caught up in daily business.

Independent

— rather than get caught up in broader ideological debates that all too often end up leading to overreach or a lack of precision in our mission".

The New Yorker

Rather, they are caught up in a politically charged discussion about how the state has handled the rush to turn urban wastelands into sought-after real estate.

The New York Times

They would clearly like to keep the focus on proceedings inside the hearing rooms, rather than get caught up in a dispute over outside advocacy groups.

The New York Times

Clinching so early afforded the Giants the luxury of concentrating on playing well rather than being caught up in the hysteria of earning a playoff berth.

The New York Times - Sports

But he added, "Our sense is that the U.N. is not being targeted," but rather was "being caught up in broader events".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rather caught up" to express a moderate level of involvement or preoccupation, especially when you want to convey a sense of being somewhat but not entirely consumed by something.

Common error

Avoid using "rather caught up" when you mean to express complete absorption or entanglement. Opt for stronger phrases like "completely engrossed" or "totally consumed" when the situation warrants it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather caught up" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a subject, indicating the extent to which someone or something is involved or preoccupied. It suggests a moderate degree of engagement, as suggested by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rather caught up" indicates a moderate level of involvement or preoccupation. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Scientific writing. When writing, consider if "rather" accurately reflects the degree of involvement or if alternatives like "quite engrossed" or "deeply immersed" would be more appropriate. The phrase is generally neutral in tone and can add a touch of nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite engrossed

Emphasizes deep involvement or absorption in something.

somewhat involved

Suggests a moderate level of participation or entanglement.

deeply immersed

Highlights a profound sense of being surrounded or absorbed by something.

fairly preoccupied

Indicates a state of being mentally focused or absorbed to a noticeable degree.

considerably entangled

Emphasizes the complexity and difficulty of extricating oneself from a situation.

pretty consumed

Suggests that something is taking up a significant amount of one's time or attention.

largely wrapped up

Indicates a state of being almost entirely occupied or involved.

quite tied up

Implies being busy or occupied to the extent of limited availability.

rather absorbed

Highlights a state of being deeply engaged or interested.

somewhat mired

Suggests being stuck or trapped in a difficult or unpleasant situation.

FAQs

How can I use "rather caught up" in a sentence?

You can use "rather caught up" to indicate a moderate level of involvement or preoccupation. For example, "I was "rather caught up" in the movie and didn't notice the time."

What are some alternatives to saying "rather caught up"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "quite engrossed", "somewhat involved", or "deeply immersed".

Is it better to say "rather caught up" or "completely caught up"?

The choice depends on the degree of involvement you want to convey. "Rather caught up" suggests a moderate level, while "completely caught up" indicates total absorption.

What's the difference between "rather caught up" and "caught up"?

"Caught up" generally implies a state of being involved or preoccupied. Adding "rather" softens the statement, suggesting a somewhat lesser degree of involvement.