B1 Prepositions 17 min read Medium

How to use 'Catch Up' (Phrasal Verb)

Close the gap, get informed, or reconnect — catch up is your go-to phrasal verb.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

'Catch up' means closing a gap—whether that's physical distance, missed work, or time spent apart from a friend.

  • Use 'catch up with' for people you haven't seen lately: 'Let's catch up with Sarah.'
  • Use 'catch up on' for tasks or sleep: 'I need to catch up on work.'
  • The past tense is 'caught up'—never 'catched up': 'I caught up with him yesterday.'
🏃‍♂️ (Behind) + 💨 (Catch Up) = 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️ (Same Level)

Overview

Catch up means reaching the same level as others. You were behind.

Learning this helps you talk to people every day.

Catch means to take. Up means to finish. You reach the others.

How This Grammar Works

You make things equal. You were slow, but now you are fast.
This implies an active effort or progress.
You do work to finish it. If you miss school, catch up.
You learn the same as your friends. I read to learn more.
Use 'with' for people. Use 'on' for work or news.
For example, a runner might catch up with the lead group, while a student might catch up on their assignments.
You can say 'catch me up'. This means 'tell me the news'.

Formation Pattern

1
There are different ways to say this. Learn them to speak well.
2
1. Intransitive Use (No Object):
3
Sometimes you use it alone. It means you are doing work faster.
4
Pattern: Subject + catch up
5
Example: "I walked faster to catch up." (Implies with others or to their pace)
6
Example: "The report was submitted late, but I eventually caught up." (Implies on the work)
7
Using 'with' for people:
8
This means reaching the same place or speed as another person.
9
Sentence: Person A + catch up with + Person B.
10
Person | catch up | with | Friend
11
| :------- | :------- | :---------- | :------------------------- |
12
| He | caught up| with | his friends |
13
| The car | caught up| with | the traffic |
14
| I | need to | with | the latest trends |
15
Example: "After a slow start, the athlete managed to catch up with the front runners." This signifies reaching the same speed and position.
16
Example: "Let's catch up with them at the coffee shop later." This implies meeting socially to exchange news.
17
Using 'on' for work or information:
18
Use this for work or news you missed. It helps you finish.
19
Sentence: Person + catch up on + Work.
20
Person | catch up | on | Missed Work
21
| :------- | :-------- | :---------- | :------------------------ |
22
| She | caught up | on | her emails |
23
| They | need to | on | the missed lectures |
24
| I | spent hours| on | reading |
25
Example: I read all weekend to finish my school work.
26
Example: He asked his friend to tell him about the project.
27
4. Separable Transitive Use (with up on):
28
Put a person between the words to give them new information.
29
Sentence: Person A + catch + Person B + up on + News.
30
Person | catch | Person | up on | News
31
| :------ | :---- | :-------------- | :------- | :---------- | :------------------- |
32
Example: Please tell me the news from the meeting.
33
| Can you | catch | him | up | on | the latest news |
34
Example: My boss will tell me the new rules tomorrow.
35
Example: 'I will tell you the news at dinner.' Friends say this.
36
Use 'with' for people. Use 'on' for news or work. You can tell news to a friend.

When To Use It

Use 'catch up' when you are behind. It works for running, news, or meeting friends.
  • Physical Movement and Pace: When you need to increase your speed or effort to reach the same physical location or pace as someone or something ahead of you. This is a literal interpretation of bridging a spatial gap.
  • Example: "The child ran to catch up with their parents who were walking faster." The child increased speed to match the parents' pace.
  • Example: "Our company is trying to catch up with its main competitor in terms of market share." This extends the physical sense to a competitive, metaphorical race.
  • Acquiring Missed Information or Knowledge: To learn about recent events, developments, or subjects that you have missed, fallen behind on, or were previously unaware of. This is about equalizing your knowledge base.
  • Example: "I was sick last week, so I need to catch up on all the lectures I missed." The focus is on the content of the lectures.
  • Example: "Before the interview, I spent an hour catching up on the company's recent news releases." This highlights the proactive effort to gain information.
  • Completing Outstanding Work or Tasks: When you have a backlog of duties or assignments and need to complete them to reach the current expected level of productivity or progress. This applies to professional and academic contexts.
  • Example: "After my vacation, I had a huge pile of emails to catch up on." The emails represent unfinished business.
  • Example: "The team had to work extra hours to catch up on the delayed project milestones." This shows the effort to meet project deadlines.
  • Socializing and Updating Personal News: To meet someone you haven't seen for a while and exchange recent personal updates, news, or life events. This equalizes shared understanding and connection in a relationship.
  • Example: "Let's catch up for coffee next Saturday; I haven't seen you in ages!" This is a common invitation to reconnect.
  • Example: "My cousin is visiting, and we plan to catch up with all the family news." Here, with emphasizes the social interaction and shared updates.
  • Recovering Sleep or Rest: To obtain additional sleep or rest because you haven't had enough recently, thus bringing your body back to an optimal state of rest.
  • Example: "I've been working late all week; I definitely need to catch up on sleep this weekend." This signifies rectifying a sleep deficit.
  • Example: "The athlete used the off-season to catch up on rest and recovery." This shows the purposeful act of recuperation.
  • Adapting to New Developments or Technologies: To learn and become proficient with new technologies, trends, or methodologies that have emerged, ensuring one is not left behind.
  • Example: "Many older professionals are making an effort to catch up with digital literacy." This refers to adapting to technological advancements.
  • Example: "The software team is constantly catching up on the latest programming frameworks." This indicates continuous learning to stay current in a rapidly evolving field.

When Not To Use It

Only use 'catch up' when you need to be equal. Do not use it for other things.
  • Physical Grabbing or Seizing: Catch up is not used when referring to physically grasping or apprehending an object or person directly. The verb catch alone, or other specific verbs, are appropriate here.
  • Incorrect: "He caught up the ball." (The ball was simply caught.)
  • Correct: "He caught the ball." or "He picked up the ball."
  • Instant Understanding or Immediate Perception: If you mean to instantly comprehend something or perceive information at the moment it is presented, catch up is inappropriate. It implies a process of gaining information over time.
  • Incorrect: "I didn't catch up what you said." (Meaning: I didn't hear/understand you immediately.)
  • Correct: "I didn't catch what you said." or "I didn't understand what you said."
  • First-Time Social Meetings: When you are meeting someone for the very first time, or if the interaction does not involve exchanging updates after a period of separation, meet is the correct verb.
  • Incorrect: "I'm excited to catch up with my new client tomorrow." (It's a first meeting.)
  • Correct: "I'm excited to meet my new client tomorrow."
  • Incorrect: "We caught up at the conference for the first time." (This implies prior acquaintance.)
  • Correct: "We met at the conference for the first time."
  • Simple Arrival Without Prior Delay: If the action is merely arriving at a destination without the implication of having been delayed or needing to reach a moving group, use verbs like arrive or get there.
  • Incorrect: "I caught up at the party late." (You simply arrived late.)
  • Correct: "I arrived at the party late." or "I got to the party late."
  • Maintaining a Current State (versus overcoming a deficit): While catch up is about achieving parity, keep up is about maintaining it. If the context requires an ongoing effort to stay at the same level rather than rectifying a past deficit, keep up is more accurate.
  • Incorrect: "It's hard to catch up with all the new developments in AI." (If you are already aware and trying to stay current.)
  • Correct: "It's hard to keep up with all the new developments in AI." (This suggests an ongoing effort to maintain current knowledge.)
  • Completing an Action That Does Not Involve a Prior Gap: If an action is merely being completed without the underlying concept of making up for lost time or distance, other verbs are more suitable.
  • Incorrect: "I need to catch up my homework." (If it's regular homework, not a backlog.)
  • Correct: "I need to finish my homework." or "I need to do my homework."

Common Mistakes

Many students make mistakes with this word. Learn these rules to speak better.
1. Do not forget 'on' or 'with'.
Always use 'on' or 'with' after 'catch up'. These small words are very important.
  • Error: "I need to catch up my work." (Missing on)
  • Correction: "I need to catch up on my work." (Indicates making up for missed tasks/information.)
  • Explanation: Without on, the phrasal verb lacks specificity about what is being caught up. Catch up is rarely used transitively without a preposition for an inanimate object; it needs on to signify information or tasks.
  • Error: "The small car tried to catch up the truck." (Missing with)
  • Correction: "The small car tried to catch up with the truck." (Indicates matching the pace/position of the truck.)
  • Explanation: When referring to people or moving objects, with is almost always required to indicate the entity whose pace or position is being matched.
2. Use 'with', not 'to'.
Some people say 'to', but 'with' is better. Use 'with' for people and things.
  • Error: "I'll catch up to you later." (Less idiomatic for people)
  • Correction: "I'll catch up with you later." (Standard and more natural for social or physical convergence).
  • Explanation: With implies companionship or joining, which aligns better with the social aspect of catching up or moving alongside someone. To can sometimes imply reaching a static destination, which catch up (implying movement) doesn't perfectly fit in all contexts.
3. Putting names in the middle.
You can say 'catch him up'. But you say 'catch up on news'. This is hard.
  • Error: "I'll catch on the news you up." (Incorrect word order)
  • Correction: "I'll catch you up on the news." (The person being informed (you) separates catch and up).
  • Explanation: When catch up is used to mean 'inform someone', the person being informed is the direct object and must come between catch and up. If up is followed by on and an object, the structure is catch + person + up on + information.
  • Error: "Can you catch up me on the report?" (Incorrect word order)
  • Correction: "Can you catch me up on the report?"
  • Explanation: As me is a pronoun, it must separate the phrasal verb when used in this sense.
4. Confusing catch up with keep up:
'Catch up' means get to the same level. 'Keep up' means stay at that level.
  • Error: "I must catch up with the fast pace of technology." (If you are already mostly current and just trying to stay that way)
  • Correction: "I must keep up with the fast pace of technology." (This denotes ongoing effort to maintain current knowledge/skills.)
  • Explanation: Catch up implies you are currently behind. Keep up implies you are at pace but need continuous effort to remain there.

Common Collocations

Some words go together. This helps you sound natural. Use 'catch up' with things you missed.
Catch up on: Use for news, work, or sleep.
  • catch up on news: "I need to catch up on the latest news from around the world."
  • catch up on work/emails/assignments/reports: "I spent Sunday catching up on all my emails and reports."
  • catch up on sleep/rest: "I'm exhausted; I need to catch up on some much-needed sleep."
  • catch up on studies/reading/homework: "The exam is next week, so I'm catching up on my studies."
  • catch up on gossip/current affairs: "Let's get together and catch up on all the gossip."
  • catch up on a show/series/movie: "I need to catch up on the new season of that series."
Catch up with: Use for friends or new ideas.
  • catch up with friends/family/colleagues: "It's been ages; we should catch up with friends soon."
  • catch up with the group/team: "The hiker sped up to catch up with the main group."
  • catch up with the competition/competitors: "Our sales team is working hard to catch up with the competition."
  • catch up with the times/trends/developments: "It's important to catch up with the rapidly changing trends in technology."
  • catch up with a person's pace: "She walked faster to catch up with his pace."

Contrast With Similar Patterns

Learn how 'catch up' is different from other words. Each word has a special use.
Word | Meaning | Example | Why it is different
| :------------------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------- | :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Catch up: You were behind. Now you want to be equal. Example: 'I missed emails. I must read them.'
Keep up: You are at the same level. Now you stay there. Example: 'The class is fast. I must stay fast.'
| Go over | To review, examine, or study something in detail. Implies a careful, thorough inspection of existing material. | "Let's go over the safety instructions one more time." | Focus: Detailed examination of existing material, not acquiring new or missed content to reach parity. |
| Get ahead | To progress beyond others; to gain an advantage. Implies surpassing the current level or competition. | "She always tries to get ahead in her career by taking extra courses." | Focus: Surpassing, not equalizing. It implies being in front, rather than achieving parity. |
| Meet | To encounter someone for the first time or by appointment; to convene. Implies a planned or initial encounter. | "I will meet my new colleague in the lobby at 9 AM." | Focus: The act of encountering. Meet lacks the implication of prior separation and subsequent updating found in catch up. |
Make up for: You did something bad. Now you do something good. Example: 'I was late. I will work more.'
In the UK, 'catch up' can just mean 'meet'. Friends say 'Let us catch up' for a drink.

Conjugation of 'Catch Up'

Tense Subject Form
Present Simple
I/You/We/They
catch up
Present Simple
He/She/It
catches up
Past Simple
All subjects
caught up
Present Continuous
All subjects
am/is/are catching up
Past Continuous
All subjects
was/were catching up
Present Perfect
All subjects
have/has caught up
Future
All subjects
will catch up
Infinitive
N/A
to catch up
Gerund
N/A
catching up

Common Spoken Reductions

Full Form Spoken/Informal Context
Let us catch up
Let's catch up
Standard invitation
I have caught up
I've caught up
Perfect tense contraction
I am catching up
I'm catching up
Continuous tense contraction

Meanings

To reach the same quality, status, or physical position as someone or something that was previously ahead.

1

Socializing

To talk to someone you have not seen for some time in order to find out what they have been doing.

“We spent the whole afternoon catching up.”

“I need to catch up with my sister; we haven't spoken in months.”

2

Tasks and Work

To do something that you did not have time to do earlier.

“I'm staying late to catch up on some paperwork.”

“She needs to catch up on her sleep after the long flight.”

3

Physical Movement

To reach someone who is ahead of you by moving faster.

“Go on ahead, I'll catch up in a minute.”

“The police car eventually caught up with the stolen vehicle.”

4

Consequences

When something from the past (usually a mistake) finally begins to cause problems.

“His lifestyle finally caught up with him.”

“The lies he told are starting to catch up with him.”

Reference Table

Reference table for How to use 'Catch Up' (Phrasal Verb)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Subject + catch up (with/on) + Object
I caught up with my friend.
Negative
Subject + do not + catch up
I didn't catch up on my sleep.
Question
Do/Did + Subject + catch up?
Did you catch up with her?
Intransitive
Subject + catch up
You go, I'll catch up.
With Object (Task)
catch up on + [noun]
I need to catch up on work.
With Object (Person)
catch up with + [person]
I caught up with Tom.
Noun Form
a catch-up
We had a quick catch-up.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
I would like to schedule a time for us to discuss recent developments.

I would like to schedule a time for us to discuss recent developments. (Socializing)

Neutral
We should catch up soon.

We should catch up soon. (Socializing)

Informal
Let's catch up!

Let's catch up! (Socializing)

Slang
We gotta link up and chat.

We gotta link up and chat. (Socializing)

The Three Pillars of Catching Up

Catch Up

Social

  • Friends Talk to people
  • News Get updates

Physical

  • Distance Reach someone
  • Speed Move faster

Tasks

  • Work Finish old tasks
  • Sleep Rest more

Catch Up vs. Keep Up

Catch Up
Closing a gap You are behind.
Keep Up
Staying level You are already there.

Which preposition should I use?

1

Are you talking about a person?

YES
Use 'with'
NO
Go to next step
2

Are you talking about a task/info?

YES
Use 'on'
NO
Use no preposition

Common Collocations

☕

Social

  • • with a friend
  • • over coffee
  • • on old times
💻

Work

  • • on emails
  • • on reports
  • • with the schedule
😴

Health

  • • on sleep
  • • on rest
  • • on vitamins
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Examples by Level

1

Wait! I need to catch up.

2

Can you catch up with me?

3

He is fast. I can't catch up.

4

Run! Catch up to the bus!

1

I caught up with my mom yesterday.

2

We need to catch up soon.

3

I have to catch up on my reading.

4

Did you catch up with the group?

1

I've been away, so I need to catch up on the news.

2

Let's have a coffee and catch up.

3

The company is trying to catch up with its rivals.

4

I stayed up late to catch up on my favorite show.

1

It took me ages to catch up on all the emails after my holiday.

2

Technology is moving so fast that the law can't catch up.

3

I finally caught up with the person who was leading the race.

4

We spent the evening catching up on old times.

1

The repercussions of his negligence finally caught up with him.

2

Developing nations are struggling to catch up with the West's infrastructure.

3

I'll leave you two to catch up; I'm sure you have a lot to talk about.

4

The curriculum has been updated to catch up with modern pedagogical standards.

1

The sheer velocity of change in the AI sector makes it nearly impossible for regulatory bodies to catch up.

2

There is a sense of 'catching up' that permeates the post-war literature of that era.

3

The ghost of his past eventually caught up with him in the most unexpected of ways.

4

By the time the industry caught up to the consumer demand, the trend had already shifted.

Easily Confused

How to use 'Catch Up' (Phrasal Verb) vs Keep Up

Learners use 'catch up' when they are already at the same level as someone else. 'Catch up' implies a gap exists.

How to use 'Catch Up' (Phrasal Verb) vs Pick Up

Sometimes confused in the context of learning or resuming a task.

How to use 'Catch Up' (Phrasal Verb) vs Reach

Learners use 'reach' for social updates.

Common Mistakes

✗

I catch up him.

✓

I catch up with him.

You need the preposition 'with' when there is a person as an object.
✗

Wait for me, I catch up!

✓

Wait for me, I'll catch up!

Use the future 'will' for a promise or immediate action.
✗

He catched up.

✓

He caught up.

Catch is an irregular verb.
✗

I catch up to you.

✓

I'll catch up with you.

While 'to' is sometimes used, 'with' is much more natural for people.
✗

We caught up on coffee.

✓

We caught up over coffee.

Use 'over' for the setting/activity, not 'on'.
✗

I need to catch up my work.

✓

I need to catch up on my work.

You must use 'on' for tasks.
✗

I am catching up with my sleep.

✓

I am catching up on my sleep.

Sleep is a 'thing/task', so use 'on'.
✗

I caught up with the news.

✓

I caught up on the news.

News is information, so 'on' is better than 'with'.
✗

I can't catch up with your speed.

✓

I can't keep up with your speed.

If you are already moving at that speed but struggling, use 'keep up'.
✗

Let's catch up us.

✓

Let's catch up.

Catch up is intransitive here; you don't need 'us'.
✗

The law caught up to the technology.

✓

The law caught up with the technology.

In formal/abstract contexts, 'with' is the standard for metaphorical reaching.
✗

I need a catch up on.

✓

I need a catch-up.

The noun form doesn't usually take 'on' at the end of the sentence.

Sentence Patterns

I need to catch up on ___.

It was great catching up with ___.

Go ahead, I'll catch up ___.

The ___ is finally catching up with ___.

Real World Usage

Texting a friend constant

Hey! We need to catch up. Coffee Friday?

Office meeting very common

Let's have a quick catch-up on the project status.

After a vacation common

I have so many emails to catch up on.

Sports commentary common

He's closing the gap! He might catch up to the leader.

Social Media very common

Catching up with the bestie! #brunch

Doctor's visit occasional

We need to catch up on your vaccinations.

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💡

The 'With' Rule

If you are talking about a person, always use 'with'. 'I caught up with him.'
⚠️

Irregular Past

Never say 'catched'. It is always 'caught'. This is a very common mistake even at B2 level.
🎯

Noun Usage

You can use 'catch-up' as a noun. 'Let's have a catch-up.' This sounds very natural and native.
💬

Polite Ending

In English, 'Let's catch up' is a friendly way to say goodbye, even if you don't have a specific date in mind.

Smart Tips

Remember: 'With' is for friends, 'On' is for ends (tasks/goals).

I caught up on my brother. → I caught up with my brother.

Think of 'Caught' like 'Bought' or 'Taught'. They all end in -ought.

I catched up on my work. → I caught up on my work.

Use 'catch-up' as a noun for meetings.

Let's meet to catch up. → Let's have a quick catch-up.

Switch from 'catch up' to 'keep up'.

I am running with you, I can catch up! → I am running with you, I can keep up!

Pronunciation

/kætʃ ʌp/

Linking

The 'ch' in 'catch' links to the 'u' in 'up', sounding like 'cat-chup'.

/kɔːt ʌp/

Past Tense

The 't' in 'caught' is often held (stop T) before the 'u' in 'up'.

Phrasal Verb Stress

I need to catch UP.

In phrasal verbs, the particle (up) usually receives more stress than the verb.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Catch the 'UP'—imagine reaching up to grab a balloon that is floating ahead of you.

Visual Association

Picture two runners. One is far ahead, and the other is sprinting to reach them. The moment they are side-by-side, they have 'caught up'.

Rhyme

If you're behind and want to be near, catch up with those you hold dear.

Story

I was sick for a week and missed all my classes. When I returned, I had to catch up on my notes. I met my friend at a cafe to catch up with her life, and then I ran to catch up with the bus home.

Word Web

CaughtWithOnGapUpdateLevelReach

Challenge

Write a text message to a friend you haven't seen in a month using 'catch up'.

Cultural Notes

In the US, 'Let's catch up' is often used as a polite way to end a conversation, similar to 'We should do lunch,' and may not always result in a real plan.

In UK office culture, a 'catch-up' is a very common term for a brief, informal 1-on-1 meeting with a manager.

Australians use 'catch up' very frequently for any social gathering, often replacing 'meet' or 'hang out'.

From the Middle English 'cacchen' (to capture/seize) and the adverb 'up' (expressing completion).

Conversation Starters

“

What is something you need to catch up on this weekend?

“

Who is a friend you haven't caught up with in a long time?

“

Do you think technology is moving too fast for people to catch up?

“

If you could catch up with any historical figure, who would it be?

Journal Prompts

Describe a time you had to catch up on work or school. How did you feel?
Write about a perfect afternoon catching up with an old friend.
Discuss the pressure of 'keeping up' versus 'catching up' in modern society.
Write a story where someone's past finally catches up with them.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the missing preposition.

I missed two days of school, so I need to catch up ___ my homework.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: on
We use 'on' for tasks, work, or things we missed.
Choose the correct past tense form. Multiple Choice

Yesterday, I ___ up with my old school friend.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: caught
'Catch' is an irregular verb; the past tense is 'caught'.
Find the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

I need to catch up with my sleep.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Change 'with' to 'on'
Sleep is a 'thing' or 'task', so we use 'catch up on'.
Rewrite the sentence using 'catch up'. Sentence Transformation

I reached the same level as the other runners.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I caught up with the other runners.
'Catch up with' is used for physical reaching.
Is the following rule true or false? True False Rule

'Catch up' can be used as a noun.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: True
Yes, 'a catch-up' is a common noun meaning an informal meeting.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: 'I haven't seen you in months!' B: 'I know! We really need to ___.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: catch up
'Catch up' is the standard phrase for updating friends on your life.
Which preposition goes with which object? Grammar Sorting

Match: 1. A friend, 2. Emails, 3. The leader

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-with, 2-on, 3-with/to
With for people, on for tasks, with/to for physical distance.
Match the meaning to the sentence. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: A-I caught up with Sam, B-I caught up on work, C-His past caught up with him
These are the three main semantic uses of the phrasal verb.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the missing preposition.

I missed two days of school, so I need to catch up ___ my homework.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: on
We use 'on' for tasks, work, or things we missed.
Choose the correct past tense form. Multiple Choice

Yesterday, I ___ up with my old school friend.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: caught
'Catch' is an irregular verb; the past tense is 'caught'.
Find the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

I need to catch up with my sleep.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Change 'with' to 'on'
Sleep is a 'thing' or 'task', so we use 'catch up on'.
Rewrite the sentence using 'catch up'. Sentence Transformation

I reached the same level as the other runners.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I caught up with the other runners.
'Catch up with' is used for physical reaching.
Is the following rule true or false? True False Rule

'Catch up' can be used as a noun.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: True
Yes, 'a catch-up' is a common noun meaning an informal meeting.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: 'I haven't seen you in months!' B: 'I know! We really need to ___.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: catch up
'Catch up' is the standard phrase for updating friends on your life.
Which preposition goes with which object? Grammar Sorting

Match: 1. A friend, 2. Emails, 3. The leader

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-with, 2-on, 3-with/to
With for people, on for tasks, with/to for physical distance.
Match the meaning to the sentence. Match Pairs

A. Social, B. Task, C. Consequence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: A-I caught up with Sam, B-I caught up on work, C-His past caught up with him
These are the three main semantic uses of the phrasal verb.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

11 exercises
Choose the correct form Fill in the Blank

He has fallen behind in his studies and needs to ___ up on a lot of reading.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: catch up
Find and fix the mistake Error Correction

I'll try to catch on the latest episode tonight.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I'll try to catch up on the latest episode tonight.
Which sentence is correct? Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The small boat managed to catch up with the large ship.
Type the correct English sentence Translation

Translate into English: 'Nos pondremos al día la próxima semana.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["We'll catch up next week.","Let's catch up next week."]
Put the words in order Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The economy struggles to catch up with global trends.
Match each situation with the correct preposition for 'catch up' Match Pairs

Match the situation with the preposition:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched
Choose the correct form Fill in the Blank

After her illness, she had to work extra hours to ___ on her assignments.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: catch up
Find and fix the mistake Error Correction

He needed me to catch up him on the project details.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He needed me to catch him up on the project details.
Which sentence is correct? Multiple Choice

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I'm going to spend the weekend catching up on my reading list.
Type the correct English sentence Translation

Translate into English: 'Ella tuvo que correr para alcanzar a su perro.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["She had to run to catch up with her dog."]
Put the words in order Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I could finally catch up with the pace of the discussion.

Score: /11

FAQ (8)

'Catch up with' is more common for people and social situations. 'Catch up to' is often used for physical distance or reaching a specific level/number.

No, 'catch' is irregular. The past tense is always `caught up`.

It is neutral. It is perfectly fine to use in a business email (`I need to catch up on these reports`) or with a friend.

It means sleeping more than usual because you didn't sleep enough in the past few days.

Yes, when we say 'his lies caught up with him,' it means his past mistakes finally caused him trouble.

Use `catch up` (two words) as a verb. Use `catch-up` (with a hyphen) as a noun or adjective.

Yes, `catch up on the news` means reading or watching what you missed recently.

It is an informal meeting where people update each other on their progress.

Scaffolded Practice

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Mastery Progress

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In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

Ponerse al día / Alcanzar

English uses one phrasal verb for both physical and social contexts.

French partial

Rattraper / Prendre des nouvelles

French lacks a single verb that covers 'social updates' and 'physical distance'.

German moderate

Aufholen / Sich austauschen

German uses a separable prefix verb 'aufholen' which mirrors the 'up' in English.

Japanese low

追いつく (Oitsuku)

Japanese requires a much more formal/descriptive phrase for social catching up.

Arabic partial

لحق بـ (Lahiqa bi)

Arabic usually requires different verbs based on the 'gap' being closed.

Chinese moderate

赶上 (Gǎnshàng)

Chinese 'ganshang' implies a sense of urgency or racing that 'catch up' doesn't always have.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Phrasal Verb: Pick up (Lift, Collect, Answer)
Next
Phrasal Verb: Turn Down (Volume & Rejection)

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