they caught him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they caught him" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where someone has been apprehended or captured. Example: "After a long chase, they caught him just as he was about to escape the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Sounds like they caught him".

The New Yorker

They caught him with minutes to spare.

The Guardian

If they caught him, they would send him back.

The New Yorker

"I'm happy that they caught him," he said.

The New York Times

They caught him after he had killed the second man.

The New Yorker

"They caught him under the criminal-justice system.

The New Yorker

Good thing they caught him before he jumped, someone said.

The New Yorker

They caught him and beat him and left him there.

The New York Times

"They caught him three or four days afterward," Kiel said.

The New York Times - Sports

They caught him, Charles, and they killed him.

The Guardian - Books

A chase ensued, and they caught him after authorities spiked his tires.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they caught him", ensure the pronoun 'they' is clearly defined within the context to avoid ambiguity. Specify who 'they' refers to, such as 'the police' or 'authorities'.

Common error

Avoid using "they caught him" when a more direct, active voice would be clearer and more impactful. For instance, instead of "They caught him after the robbery," consider "The police caught him after the robbery" to eliminate ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they caught him" primarily functions as a declarative statement indicating that a subject (him) has been apprehended by an unspecified group (they). As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatical and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they caught him" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to indicate that someone has been apprehended or captured. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used in various contexts, most notably in News & Media. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by defining who "they" refers to. Consider using more formal synonyms like "he was apprehended" for professional or academic writing. Be aware that while generally neutral, a more active voice might be preferable for increased clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they apprehended him

A more formal synonym for 'caught', implying a deliberate act of seizing someone.

they captured him

Similar to 'caught', but suggests a more strategic or planned action.

they seized him

Implies a forceful or legal taking of someone.

they arrested him

Specifically indicates a capture by law enforcement.

they nabbed him

An informal synonym for 'caught', suggesting a quick or unexpected capture.

he was apprehended

Formal and passive voice alternative to 'they caught him'.

he was taken into custody

A passive construction emphasizing the state of being captured.

they caught up with him

Implies a pursuit and eventual overtaking or finding of someone.

they found him out

Focuses on the discovery of someone's wrongdoing.

they discovered him

Suggests uncovering someone's presence or actions, not necessarily involving a chase.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "they caught him" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could say "he was apprehended", "he was taken into custody", or "authorities detained him". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What does it mean when someone says "they caught him"?

It generally means that someone was found committing a crime, breaking rules, or doing something wrong and was subsequently apprehended or stopped. The context usually specifies what he was caught doing.

Is "they caught him" the same as "they found him"?

Not exactly. "They found him" simply means they located him, while "they caught him" implies he was doing something wrong or was being sought after and was then apprehended. The difference lies in the implication of wrongdoing or pursuit.

What are some synonyms for "they caught him" in a news report?

Possible synonyms include "he was apprehended", "he was arrested", "he was detained", or "he was taken into custody". The specific term should be appropriate for the legal or procedural context of the news report.