time caught by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "time caught by" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in a poetic or metaphorical context to suggest that time has been captured or experienced in a particular moment. Example: "In that fleeting moment, I felt as if time caught by the beauty of the sunset."

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Miller removed Hutton again, this time caught by Sid Barnes from the first ball of the innings.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Ten minutes later and Spurs were all at sea again, this time caught square by the same Dzyuba who lashed the ball home to double his and his team's tally.

Independent

The performance ended more happily than one that Dr. Kogan played there 25 years ago, when DEREK BOK, the president of Harvard at the time, caught him off guard by asking him to lead the crowd in singing "Fair Harvard".

The New York Times

One man, Tarek, describes how he has tried and failed three times to cross into Europe through Bulgaria, each time being caught by Bulgarian border guards and "pushed back" into Turkey.

The Guardian

At times, it arose out of chaos, as in a section in which the nine dancers, all in street clothes, ran wildly around the stage, accompanied by fast atonal music, and tossed chalk bricks in the air, which most of the time were caught by other dancers but sometimes broke on the ground.

The New Yorker

This time catch the dog by both hands.

WikiHow

Each time he was caught by the Border Patrol, the punishment increased and he was locked up.

The New Yorker

He still had time to be caught by Paul Collingwood off the bowling of Andrew Flintoff before the innings was over.

The Guardian - Sport

The subsidised lending was done largely to firms of good standing that were hardly expected at the time to be caught by a cyclical downturn.

The Economist

Just in time, he was caught by the ideal biographer, Ben Watson, in the book Derek Bailey and the Story of Free Improvisation.

The Guardian

It was a third humiliatingly conclusive silver for the unfortunate Pole, who was beaten by well over a minute in Wednesday's time trial and caught by Storey in the final of the track pursuit.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "time caught by", ensure the context provides a clear understanding of what is capturing or influencing time. This will prevent ambiguity and enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "time caught by" in overly abstract or vague contexts. Ensure there is a tangible or clearly defined subject that is doing the 'catching' to maintain coherence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "time caught by" functions metaphorically, describing how time can be influenced or defined by specific events. Ludwig indicates this expression is somewhat unconventional but understandable, particularly in creative contexts.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "time caught by" is a phrase that, according to Ludwig, is grammatically acceptable but not particularly common in standard English. It's used metaphorically to describe moments or periods significantly influenced by events or feelings. Its usage is best suited for creative or descriptive contexts where the intention is to evoke a sense of time being notably marked. While the phrase is understandable, ensuring clarity is important to avoid ambiguity. Because it's not a standard expression, alternatives like "time influenced by" or "time affected by" may sometimes be clearer.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time influenced by

Replaces "caught" with "influenced", focusing on the effect of something on time rather than capture.

time affected by

Similar to "influenced", but emphasizes the impact on time due to an external factor.

time shaped by

Focuses on how time is molded or altered by external influences.

time marked by

Shifts the focus to time being a marker or indicator of something significant.

time defined by

Indicates that time is being characterized or specified by certain events or conditions.

time determined by

Highlights that time is being controlled or decided by a particular factor.

time dictated by

Suggests that time is being commanded or strongly influenced by an event or condition.

time seized by

Conveys a sense of urgency and action in taking control of time.

time constrained by

Indicates that time is limited or restricted by certain factors.

time limited by

Similar to "constrained by", but focuses on the finite aspect of time in relation to an influence.

FAQs

How can "time caught by" be used in a sentence?

The phrase "time caught by" can be used metaphorically to describe how a specific event or feeling can 'capture' a moment in time, making it stand out or feel significant. For example, "The beauty of the sunset made it seem like time caught by magic."

What are some alternatives to "time caught by"?

Alternatives include phrases like "time influenced by", "time affected by", or "time shaped by", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "time caught by" grammatically correct?

While not a standard idiomatic expression, "time caught by" is grammatically sound, especially in creative or metaphorical contexts. However, clarity is key, and it should be used where its meaning is easily understood.

What does it mean when time is "caught by" something?

When time is described as being "caught by" something, it typically means that a specific moment or period is remarkably influenced or defined by a particular event, feeling, or circumstance, making it memorable or significant.