A delay does not have to last: you can reach the others or finish work you missed.
The idea
Catch up means reach the same point after falling behind. Use catch up with a person or group, and catch up on missed work. It is common in everyday speech; the verb is catch–caught–caught.
Examples
- I ran to catch up with the group.
- The cyclist caught up with us at the bridge.
- She missed a class but soon caught up.
- We need to catch up on our reading.
- The second team is catching up with the leaders.
- After the delay, the train caught up with the schedule.
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Watch out
Do not put an object between catch and up: say catch up with them, not catch them up with.
Try it yourself
Choose the correct option. The runner caught up ___ the others. (with / at)
Show answer or example answer
with
with introduces the people ahead.
Choose the correct option. I have missed two lessons and must catch up ___ them. (on / at)
Show answer or example answer
on
on introduces the missed lessons.
Choose the correct option. The bus was late but ___ up later. (caught / catched)
Show answer or example answer
caught
caught is the irregular past form; the delay is over.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Choose the correct option. The runner caught up ___ the others. (with / at)
Choose the correct option. I have missed two lessons and must catch up ___ them. (on / at)
Choose the correct option. The bus was late but ___ up later. (caught / catched)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Describe a time you caught up with a group and a task you need to catch up on.