caught the flu vs catch the flu

Both 'caught the flu' and 'catch the flu' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Caught the flu' is used to describe someone who has already become sick with the flu, while 'catch the flu' is used to talk about the possibility of getting sick with the flu in the future.

Last updated: March 31, 2024 • 732 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe someone who has already become sick with the flu.

"caught the flu"

This phrase is used to talk about someone who has already contracted the flu virus and is currently sick with it.

Examples:

I caught the flu last week and had to stay in bed for a few days.
She caught the flu from her coworker who was sick.
He caught the flu despite getting a flu shot.
They caught the flu while traveling abroad.
We caught the flu during flu season.

Show examples from the web [+]

That's right. Home. I caught the flu on Christmas.
'Cause Kermit said that you caught the flu and couldn't make that gig in Metairie.
And just like Stephen, they caught the flu and died of a stroke.
My youngest caught the stomach flu.
He caught the Slovak flu that's going around.
She didn't come to school because she caught a flu from the rain yesterday.
And what we know is that it's as if the bees have caught a flu.
It sounds like you just caught a bad flu.
The week I landed a job interview at J.P. Morgan, she caught a nasty flu.
'It seems everyone's caught communism like flu. '
We caught the killer flu.
I've already caught poverty this year and I refuse to catch the flu.
To date, the death toll from bird flu virus is 68 persons who demonstrably caught the infection from birds.
People get the flu, Nathan.
Tell him you got the flu.
Sarah Jane announces she's getting the flu.
Also good for fighting the flu.
Two of the officers have the flu, sir.
Lieutenant Jacobs is down with the flu.
She had the flu and couldn't come inside.

Alternatives:

got the flu
contracted the flu
came down with the flu
fell ill with the flu
became sick with the flu

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to talk about the possibility of getting sick with the flu in the future.

"catch the flu"

This phrase is used to discuss the risk or potential of becoming sick with the flu virus.

Examples:

Be careful not to catch the flu by washing your hands frequently.
I hope I don't catch the flu this winter.
She tries to avoid crowded places to reduce the risk of catching the flu.
You can catch the flu from being in close contact with someone who is sick.
It's important to take precautions to prevent catching the flu.

Show examples from the web [+]

You can also catch the flu if you touch something with the virus on it, and then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes. People often confuse colds and flu. They ...
Oct 1, 2020 ... MYTH: You can catch the flu from the vaccine. · MYTH: Healthy people don't need to be vaccinated. · MYTH: Getting the flu vaccination is all you ...
You cannot catch the flu from the vaccine. Benefits from the flu vaccination includes preventing: millions of illnesses each year; tens of thousands of ...
It's possible to catch the flu or a cold virus after touching an object that a person with one of these viruses sneezed or coughed on a few moments before.
Jan 24, 2022 ... Yes, you can catch the flu and Covid. No, 'flurona' isn't real. Researchers have studied what happens when a human body is infected by two ...
People who have flu symptoms should keep their distance from anyone who might get very sick if they catch the flu. How Long Does the Flu Last? Fever and ...
Oct 11, 2022 ... Every flu season, about 20 to 40 million people in the U.S. catch the flu. What is the difference between the flu and the common cold? The ...
If you do catch the flu, use tissues whenever you sneeze or cough to avoid spreading the virus. If you do get the flu this season, take care of yourself and ...

Alternatives:

get the flu
contract the flu
come down with the flu
fall ill with the flu
become sick with the flu

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caught the flu vs catch the flu

"caught the flu"

"catch the flu"

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