was caught by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was caught by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something was discovered or apprehended by another person or entity. Example: "The thief was caught by the police while trying to escape the scene of the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Yau was caught by surprise.

The New Yorker

Then Ronaldo was caught by Dani Alves.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Fujimori's cabinet was caught by surprise.

The New York Times

The pass was caught by Ward.

The New York Times - Sports

He was caught by Mr. Pataki.

The New York Times

Two days later he was caught by local police.

The Guardian

He was caught by police driving a woman's Volkswagen Beetle.

The Guardian - Sport

Soon after that Mandzukic was caught by Carvajal.

The Guardian - Sport

Her attention was caught by a Damien Hirst sheep.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Porsche was caught by the financial crisis," said Schmidt.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The workmen were caught by a reporter.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was caught by", ensure the subject performing the action of catching is clearly identified to maintain clarity. For example, "The suspect was caught by the police" is clearer than "The suspect was caught."

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive voice constructions like "was caught by", as it can lead to wordy and less engaging writing. Sometimes using active voice can lead to more concise sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was caught by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received the action. It's used to describe situations where someone or something is discovered, apprehended, or impacted by an external force or entity, as evidenced by examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was caught by" is a versatile and commonly used passive voice construction. Ludwig AI confirms it to be grammatically correct and suitable across various contexts, especially in news and media. While its frequency is very high, it's important to be mindful of active voice alternatives for conciseness. Its primary function is to describe an event from the receiver's perspective, assigning responsibility and highlighting the agent doing the catching. The register is generally neutral, making it appropriate for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was apprehended by

Focuses more on the act of being officially seized or arrested.

was discovered by

Emphasizes the act of being found or revealed by someone or something.

was seized by

Highlights a forceful or sudden taking of something.

was intercepted by

Suggests that something was stopped or blocked.

was detected by

Focuses on the act of being noticed or identified.

was surprised by

Highlights the unexpected nature of the encounter or event.

was overtaken by

Suggests being surpassed or overwhelmed.

was impacted by

Indicates that something had an influence or effect.

was ensnared by

Implies being trapped or entangled, often in a metaphorical sense.

was charmed by

Implies being captivated or delighted by someone or something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was caught by" to sound more active?

You can often switch to an active voice construction. For instance, instead of "The thief was caught by the police", try "The police "caught" the thief".

What's the difference between "was caught by" and "was apprehended by"?

"Was caught by" is a more general term indicating someone or something was discovered or seized. "Was apprehended by" emphasizes a formal process of arrest or capture, typically by law enforcement.

Is it grammatically correct to use "was caught by" in a sentence?

Yes, "was caught by" is grammatically correct. It uses the passive voice, indicating that the subject received the action of being caught. According to Ludwig, this is a correct construction.

When should I use "was caught by" instead of "was captured by"?

"Was caught by" is generally used in less formal contexts or when the capture is not necessarily forceful. "Was captured by" often implies a more deliberate or forceful act of seizing someone or something, in that case according to Ludwig you can use more alternatives like "was apprehended by".