SpeakUp

Grammar fix

catch fire

start burning

to suddenly begin to burn, often by accident.

collocationB1common

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • The curtains caught fire when they got too close to the candle.daily life
  • During the interview, I explained how the old building caught fire because of faulty wiring.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: subject + catch fire

WrongThe curtains catched fire.

RightThe curtains caught fire.

Irregular past tense — 'caught'.

Patternsubject + catch fire

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff The structure underwent combustion and became engulfed in flames.

Natural The building caught fire.

'Underwent combustion' is technical; 'caught fire' is plain English.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • catch fire
    the curtainssuddenlyeasilynearly

Don't confuse it

Not the same as 'set fire to,' which means to make something burn on purpose.

Try it in Daily Speak →