catch on VS be caught on

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Maple

#392759 Mon, 16 Jul 07 08:38 AM

The idea of sending short text messages on a cell phone has been fast to _____________.

A catch on B be caught on

Both correct?

Thanks for your comments!

Maple

Joined on Tue, Jul 11 2006

An ESL student in China

Contributing Member (1,110)

CalifJim

#392766 Mon, 16 Jul 07 09:12 AM

Only A.

An idea, habit, practice, or fad catches on. (It is not caught on.)

In this figurative sense as a phrasal verb, catch on is intransitive, so it can't have a passive form.

CJ

CalifJim

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004

California

Veteran Member (17,566)

"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

Catch and caught
catch on vs take in
Wouldn't be caught dead
catch a cold

CAUGHT IT FROM ME
Catch off
I haven't caught up yet
catch one's attention

Idiom - Catch as Catch Can
caught fire
caught sight of
catch sight of it

Maple

#392768 Mon, 16 Jul 07 09:26 AM

Thank you, CJ! I would learn it by heart. Thinking [8-)]

Maple