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Phrasal verbs "catch up with" vs "catch up in"

Differences between catch up with and catch up in

Catch up in is not a commonly used phrasal verb. Catch up with is more common and means to meet someone after a period of time or to reach the same level as someone else.

Meanings and Definitions: catch up with vs catch up in

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Catch up with

  • 1Do something that should have been done earlier.

    I'm going home to CATCH UP WITH my sleep.

  • 2Meet someone after a period of time and find out what they have been doing.

    I CAUGHT UP WITH her at the conference.

  • 3When something negative starts to have an effect.

    His criminal behaviour is starting to CATCH UP WITH him.

  • 4Punish someone after they have been doing something wrong for a long time.

    The tax authorities CAUGHT UP WITH me for not submitting my tax returns.

  • 5Learn something new that many people already understand.

    My mother's trying to CATCH UP WITH computers.

Catch up in

  • 1Become involved, often against one's will.

    The tourists were CAUGHT UP IN the violence of the revolution.

Usage Examples: catch up with, catch up in in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

catch up with

Example

I need to catch up with my old friends from college.

Example

She catches up with her childhood friend every few months.

catch up in

Example

The innocent bystander was caught up in the fight.

Example

She often catches up in other people's problems.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Catch up with

reconnect with

To meet or communicate with someone after a period of time.

Example

I'm excited to reconnect with my childhood friend at our high school reunion.

get up to speed

To become informed or knowledgeable about something that has happened while one was away.

Example

After my vacation, I had to get up to speed with all the new projects at work.

keep pace with

To maintain the same level of progress or development as someone else.

Example

She struggled to keep pace with her classmates in math class but eventually caught up.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Catch up in

fall behind

To fail to keep up with others in a competition or race.

Example

Due to an injury, he started to fall behind the other runners in the marathon.

lag behind

To be slower or less advanced than others in a group or activity.

Example

The company's outdated technology caused it to lag behind its competitors in the market.

trail behind

To follow behind someone or something at a slower pace.

Example

The hikers had to wait for their friend who was trailing behind due to a sore ankle.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “catch”

Phrasal Verbs with “up in”

Differences in catch up with vs catch up in: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: catch up with or catch up in?

Catch up with is more common than catch up in. It's a phrase that is used frequently in everyday conversation, especially when people haven't seen each other for a while and want to update each other on their lives. Catch up in is not used as much and may be unfamiliar to some English learners.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of catch up with and catch up in

Both catch up in and catch up with are informal phrases that are suitable for casual conversations with friends and family. However, in more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of catch up with and catch up in

The tone of catch up in and catch up with can differ based on context. Catch up with often carries a friendly and positive tone when referring to meeting someone after a period of time. On the other hand, catch up in can have a more neutral or even negative tone when referring to being behind in a competition or race.

catch up with & catch up in: Synonyms and Antonyms

Catch up with

Synonyms

Antonyms

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