that caught me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that caught me" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing surprise, interest, or emotional impact from something that was said or done. Example: "The unexpected twist in the story really caught me off guard."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"So that caught me".

The New York Times

"That's the thing that caught me.

The New York Times

"It was a matchup that caught me by surprise," Bryant said.

The New York Times - Sports

There are so many moments that caught me as an artist".

The Guardian - Arts

It was the follow-up consultation, in February, that caught me off guard.

The New Yorker

It was the Postcard sound - sharp, bright, sunshiny - that caught me.

The Guardian - Music

First set: Henman 3 - 2 Sa* Ooh, that caught me on the hop a bit.

The Guardian - Sport

A rain shower that caught me near the orchid display was both an aural and visual delight.

The New York Times - Travel

"The thing that caught me most today was that this airplane flew like we expected it to," Mr. Neville said.

The New York Times

The dish that caught me unawares was navratan korma, a rich Moghul creation of fruits, vegetables and nuts in a creamy sauce.

The New York Times

And then Bill told a joke that caught me, and I laughed so hard with delight, clapped my hands and became a fan.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that caught me" to add a personal touch to your writing when describing an unexpected reaction or something that sparked your interest.

Common error

While "that caught me" is a useful expression, avoid using it excessively. Vary your language by using synonyms like "that surprised me" or "that intrigued me" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that caught me" functions as an idiomatic expression used to indicate a reaction of surprise, interest, or emotional impact. As Ludwig shows, this phrase is often followed by prepositions such as "off guard" or "by surprise" to further specify the nature of the reaction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that caught me" is a versatile and frequently used expression to convey surprise, interest, or emotional impact. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and most commonly found in News & Media contexts. While suitable for general use, consider more formal alternatives in academic or scientific writing. Be mindful of overusing the phrase, and diversify your language with synonyms like "that surprised me" or "that intrigued me" to keep your writing engaging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that surprised me

Emphasizes the element of surprise experienced by the speaker.

that took me by surprise

Highlights the unexpected nature of the event or information.

that grabbed my attention

Focuses on the captivating aspect of something drawing focus.

that intrigued me

Stresses the curiosity or fascination aroused by something.

that fascinated me

Highlights the captivating and absorbing nature of something.

that struck me

Indicates a strong impression or realization made on the speaker.

that made an impression on me

Focuses on the lasting impact or effect something had.

that resonated with me

Implies a deeper, emotional connection or understanding.

that really hit home

Indicates something that strongly affected or made a personal impact.

that registered with me

Focuses on the clear understanding or realization of something.

FAQs

What does "that caught me" mean?

The phrase "that caught me" generally means something surprised, interested, or affected you in some way. It indicates a reaction to something unexpected or noteworthy.

What can I say instead of "that caught me"?

You can use alternatives like "that surprised me", "that grabbed my attention", or "that intrigued me" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "that caught me" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider your audience. In very formal contexts, more precise alternatives like "that surprised me" or "that piqued my interest" might be more suitable.

How can I use "that caught me" in a sentence?

You can use "that caught me" to describe a reaction. For example, "The plot twist in the movie really "took me by surprise"" or "The speaker's unexpected remark "struck me" as particularly insightful."