What are the definitions of “catch up on”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Do something that should have been done earlier.
I'm going home to CATCH UP ON my sleep.
- 2Reminisce with an old friend after not seeing them for a while.
I hadn't seen her for years, so we spent the afternoon CATCHING UP ON old times.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “catch up on”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb catch up on is to do something that should have been done earlier, such as completing tasks or catching up on missed work. It can also mean to update oneself on information or news that was missed.
What are the different verb forms of “catch up on”?
| Root Verb | catch up on |
| Third Person Singular Present | catches up on |
| Present Participle | catching up on |
| Simple Past | caught up on |
| Past Participle | caught up on |
Example
I need to catch up on my homework this weekend.
Example
She catches up on her favorite TV shows every weekend.
Example
He is catching up on his emails after a long vacation.
Example
Yesterday, they caught up on all the housework they had been putting off.
Example
I have finally caught up on all the work I missed while I was sick.
What kind of phrasal verb is “catch up on”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“catch up on” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
I need to catch up on my reading.
Example
She caught up on her sleep over the weekend.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“catch up on” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
I need to catch up on my reading.
Example
She caught up on her sleep over the weekend.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “catch up on”?
Good things to know
Does “catch up on” have an informal or formal tone?
Catch up on is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal situations. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can also be used in more formal settings, such as in a work or academic context.
