What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
catch
Example
He managed to catch the ball before it hit the ground. [catch: verb]
Example
The police caught the thief as he was trying to escape. [caught: past tense]
seize
Example
She seized the opportunity to showcase her talent. [seize: verb]
Example
The authorities seized the illegal drugs during the raid. [seized: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Catch is more commonly used than seize in everyday language. Catch is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while seize is less common and is often used in specific legal or forceful situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between catch and seize?
While catch is generally considered more informal, seize can be used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when referring to legal matters or forceful actions.
