Grammar fix
catch a cold
become ill
to become sick with a cold, usually with a runny nose, sneezing, or a sore throat.
collocationB1common
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
If you go outside without a jacket in winter, you might catch a cold.
During the winter months, many students catch a cold because of the cold weather and crowded classrooms.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: I catched a cold last week.
Say: I caught a cold last week.
Irregular past tense — 'caught'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Contracted a viral... infection' is clinical; 'caught a cold' is what people say.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
catch a cold
- catch
- a nasty
- a bad
- come down with a