What are the definitions of “catch up with”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 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.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “catch up with”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb catch up with is to meet someone after a period of time and find out what they have been doing. It is often used when talking about reconnecting with friends or acquaintances after not seeing them for a while.
What are the different verb forms of “catch up with”?
| Root Verb | catch up with |
| Third Person Singular Present | catches up with |
| Present Participle | catching up with |
| Simple Past | caught up with |
| Past Participle | caught 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.
Example
He is catching up with his former classmates at the reunion.
Example
Yesterday, they caught up with each other over coffee.
Example
I have caught up with all my friends from high school.
What kind of phrasal verb is “catch up with”?
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 with” 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 caught up with my old friend at the party.
Example
She caught up with her work after returning from vacation.
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 with” 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 caught up with my old friend at the party.
Example
She caught up with her work after returning from vacation.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “catch up with”?
Good things to know
Does “catch up with” have an informal or formal tone?
Catch up with is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is commonly used in everyday conversations, but it can also be used in more formal contexts, such as business meetings or professional correspondence, depending on the specific situation.
