Which sentence uses 'come across' correctly?

I came across an old photo while cleaning the attic

I came across the street to meet you

I came across an old photo while cleaning the attic

The bridge came across the river

Which sentence uses 'come across' correctly?

She comes across as very confident in interviews

He came across the finish line first

Which sentence uses 'come by' correctly?

Good jobs are hard to come by these days

The bus will come by this route

Good jobs are hard to come by these days

I come by the office every morning at 8

Which sentence uses 'come by' correctly?

Can you come by my house later for coffee?

The train came by the station too fast

She comes by the grocery store home

Which sentence uses 'come out' correctly?

The new iPhone will come out next month

I need to come out from the house now

The new iPhone will come out next month

Which sentence uses 'come out' correctly?

The truth finally came out after the investigation

The students came out to the classroom

Understanding the Phrasal Verb 'Catch On'

📖 Definition

To catch on means to become popular or to understand something. It implies the process of gradually gaining recognition or comprehension.

Examples in context

His jokes didn’t catch on with the audience initially, but soon they were laughing loudly.
New slang words often catch on rapidly among teenagers before spreading to the general population.
It took a while, but I finally caught on to the new math concept after some tutoring.

📖 Definition

To catch on means to become popular or to understand something. It implies the process of gradually gaining recognition or comprehension.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

The verb and particle cannot be separated.

Neutral

Used in both formal and informal contexts.

Transitive

Does not take a direct object.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	catch on	Trends often catch on quickly in social media.
Past Simple	caught on	The teacher explained again until the students caught on.
Present Continuous	catching on	She is slowly catching on to the new software.
Present Perfect	have caught on	The software features have caught on among young users.

💡 When to Use

understanding something complex

Use when someone begins to understand a concept or idea after some time or explanation.

Example: "After reviewing the instructions, he finally caught on."

gaining popularity

Use when something, such as a trend or idea, starts to become widely accepted or popular.

Example: "The fashion trend quickly caught on among teenagers."

learning a skill

Use when someone starts to grasp a new skill or technique through practice or instruction.

Example: "She is catching on to playing the guitar very fast."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

incorrect particle

❌ Wrong: The idea caught out quickly.

✅ Correct: The idea caught on quickly.

💡 Tip: Remember, 'catch on' is used for understanding or popularity.

using as transitive

❌ Wrong: He caught on the trend.

✅ Correct: He caught on to the trend.

💡 Tip: Use 'to' for specifying what is being caught on.

using separably

❌ Wrong: Catch the trend on quickly.

✅ Correct: Catch on to the trend quickly.

💡 Tip: Keep 'catch' and 'on' together; avoid inserting words between them.

Practice

CATCH ON - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

1
Listen to example

His jokes didn’t catch on with the audience initially, but soon they were laughing loudly.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

New slang words often catch on rapidly among teenagers before spreading to the general population.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

It took a while, but I finally caught on to the new math concept after some tutoring.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

understand comprehend

Antonyms

forget

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"She finally began to ___ on after several explanations."

ink

catch on

dash

hop

"Just as wisdom slowly catches on in the hearts of the weary, the truth reveals itself in moments of clarity and understanding."

In Context

In the early 1960s, a young musician named Bob Dylan arrived in Greenwich Village, a melting pot for artists and social activists. At first, his performances in small clubs attracted little attention. Yet gradually, his unique blend of folk music and poignant lyrics began to catch on. Songs like 'Blowin’ in the Wind' and 'The Times They Are a-Changin’' resonated with audiences, capturing the spirit of the era’s civil rights and anti-war movements. As his popularity soared, Dylan’s influence caught on beyond the music scene, inspiring a generation eager for social change. His success marked a turning point in popular culture, showing how music could be a powerful vehicle for social commentary. By the mid-1960s, Dylan was not only a prominent figure in music but also a symbol of a broader cultural shift. His work caught on, sparking dialogue and inspiring activism. Despite occasional controversies and shifts in his musical style, his ability to adapt ensured his continued relevance. Dylan’s story is a testament to the power of art in effecting social change, and demonstrates how innovative ideas can catch on, even in unpredictable ways.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Catch On

What is the origin of catch on?

The phrasal verb 'catch on' originated in the 1800s, primarily in British English, used initially in the sense of understanding or grasping an idea.

Can catch on be used in formal and informal contexts?

'Catch on' is versatile, used in both formal and informal contexts to describe the process of gaining understanding or popularity, making it broadly applicable.

What is the difference between catch on and understand?

'Catch on' often implies a gradual understanding or becoming popular, unlike 'understand', which is more immediate and focused on comprehension without the time element.

Browse All National Parks Phrasal Verbs

About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey

📖 Definition

📖 Definition

📝 Grammar Info

📊 Conjugation Table

💡 When to Use

⚠️ Common Mistakes

CATCH ON - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Catch On

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega