trying to catch up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trying to catch up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing the effort to reach the same level or understanding as others, often in a context of learning or completing tasks. Example: "I've been busy with work, and now I'm trying to catch up on all the reading I missed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"The control regime, if you call it that, is still trying to catch up," he said.

The New York Times

I'm trying to catch up".

Independent

Now Italy is trying to catch up.

The New York Times

Always trying to catch up".

The Guardian - Arts

They are constantly trying to catch up.

The New York Times

But they're trying to catch up.

The New York Times

Morrisons is trailing and trying to catch up.

The Economist

Now other parts of India are trying to catch up.

The Economist

Since '73, Mother Nature has been trying to catch up.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Were trying to catch up for all those years".

The New York Times

And spend extra hours in bed on Twitter all night trying to catch up".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "attempting to get on par" or "striving to make up lost ground" to add variety to your writing and avoid repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "trying to catch up" multiple times within a short passage. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less engaging. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms or rephrasing sentences to convey the same meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trying to catch up" functions as a verb phrase indicating an ongoing effort to reach a desired level or standard. Ludwig's examples show it used in various contexts, from academics to sports, emphasizing the active process of reducing a deficit.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "trying to catch up" is a common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the effort to reach a desired level or standard, especially after falling behind. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and prevalence in diverse contexts. While it is often used in news and media, it also appears in formal, business, and scientific settings. To enhance clarity, specify what one is trying to catch up on and consider synonyms to prevent repetitive writing. The phrase is generally neutral in tone and widely understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempting to get on par

Focuses on the action of attempting and uses the idiom "on par" to convey reaching the same level.

endeavoring to close the gap

Emphasizes the effort to diminish a difference between current and desired states.

striving to make up lost ground

Highlights the struggle to recover from a disadvantage or setback.

working towards leveling the field

Suggests effort dedicated to making an unfair competition equal for everyone.

seeking to attain equilibrium

More formal; conveys the goal of reaching a balanced state after a period of imbalance.

aiming to bridge the divide

Implies the intention of reducing the differences between parts.

pushing to get up to speed

Highlights the effort made to reach the needed expertise in a determined field.

exerting oneself to equalize

Emphasizes the effort made for making things or results equal.

making an effort to draw level

Emphasizes the effort made to get an equal score or get even on something.

laboring to bring current

A more elaborate way to express effort dedicated to updating or modernizing something.

FAQs

How can I use "trying to catch up" in a sentence?

You can use "trying to catch up" to describe efforts to reach a certain level or standard after falling behind. For example, "After being sick for a week, I'm "trying to catch up" on my schoolwork".

What's a more formal way to say "trying to catch up"?

More formal alternatives to "trying to catch up" include "endeavoring to close the gap" or "striving to make up lost ground". These phrases are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is it always necessary to specify what someone is "trying to catch up" on?

While not always grammatically required, specifying what someone is "trying to catch up" on provides clarity and context. Without it, the sentence can be vague. For instance, instead of saying "He is trying to catch up", it's better to say "He is "trying to catch up" on the latest research".

What's the difference between "trying to catch up" and "trying to keep up"?

"Trying to catch up" implies that someone has fallen behind and is attempting to reach the current level, while "trying to keep up" suggests an effort to maintain the same pace as others and avoid falling behind in the first place.