Pain in the English
Pain in the English

Unpacking English, Bit by Bit

A community for questioning, nitpicking, and debating the quirks and rules of the English language.

Pain in the English
Pain in the English

Unpacking English, Bit by Bit

A community for questioning, nitpicking, and debating the quirks and rules of the English language.

“it caught on fire”

In NZ I have often seen in print and heard people say “it caught on fire” instead of “it caught fire”. Is this a regional thing or does it occur elsewhere?

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I've heard both in the US

SteglNutt Oct-17-2012

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I have heard both in the UK. But I am aware that caught fire/catch fire is standard English.

bloops Oct-19-2012

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While I've heard both in the US, I think "caught ON fire" is used most colloquially.

BTW, GO KIWIS! (I just LOVE NZ).

BlackEcho Oct-23-2012

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I've only heard the use of an unnecessary 'on' by americans, but like many things others are using it now.

It caught fire seems perfectly adequate. The only thing more jarring is 'gotten'.

user109384 Dec-16-2020

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