SpeakUp

Grammar fix

catch a bus

use public transport

to get on a bus in order to travel somewhere, usually as part of your daily routine or to reach a destination.

collocationB1core

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • I have to catch the bus at 8 a.m. or I'll be late for work.daily life
  • During the week, I usually catch a bus to university because it's faster than driving.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: catch + a/the/my/your + bus

WrongI catched the bus this morning.

RightI caught the bus this morning.

Irregular past tense — 'caught', not 'catched'.

Patterncatch + a/the/my/your + bus

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff I must board the omnibus at half past eight.

Natural I've got to catch the bus at 8:30.

'Board the omnibus' is archaic; 'catch the bus' is everyday English.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • catch + transport
    the busthe 8:15a bus into townthe last bus

Don't confuse it

'Take a bus' can mean the whole journey, but 'catch a bus' focuses on getting on the bus in time.

Try it in Daily Speak →