Past Tense of “catch”
The past simple of “catch” is “caught” and the past participle is “caught”. Below are the pronunciation, three example sentences, the mistake learners make most often, and a short drill to check yourself.
Forms of “catch”
catch – caught – caught
take hold of something moving; get (a bus, a cold)
- Base form
- catch/kætʃ/
- Past simple
- caught/kɔːt/
- Past participle
- caught/kɔːt/
- -ing form
- catching
- He / she / it
- catches
Pronunciation (US)
Quick practice
5 questions. Type the missing form.
Example sentences
Three everyday sentences that show how the forms are used.
Past simple
I caught the last train home.
Past participle
I think I have caught a cold.
Passive
The thief was caught on camera.
The most common mistake
Wrong
He catched the ball.
Correct
He caught the ball.
“Catch” is irregular: catch – caught – caught.
Verbs with the same pattern
Past = participle. Learn these together.