What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
grabbing
Example
He was grabbing his bag and running out the door. [grabbing: present participle]
Example
She grabbed the last slice of pizza before anyone else could. [grabbed: past tense]
catching
Example
The baseball player caught the ball with one hand. [caught: past tense]
Example
I almost caught the bus, but it drove away too quickly. [catch: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Catching is more commonly used than grabbing in everyday language, especially in the context of sports or games. Grabbing is less common and is often associated with informal or casual situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between grabbing and catching?
While catching can be used in both formal and informal contexts, grabbing is typically associated with an informal or even aggressive tone, making it less appropriate for formal situations.