word choice - "Catch" vs "Take" a Bus/Train


Could anyone help me with finding the difference between saying "catch a bus/train/etc" and "take a train/bus/etc"? I'm afraid I haven't been able to glean one from my dictionary.



Answer



Catching a bus describes the process of getting to a stop/station, waiting and boarding.


Taking a bus describes the entire process, including the journey itself.


Much of the time, the distinction isn't important. For example:



"How did you get to work today?"


"I caught a bus." (The listener infers that having caught the bus, you stay on it)


"I took the bus." (You have described the journey)



However, it could be relevant:



"I read a book while I was taking the bus" (yes: reading while the bus is moving)


"I read a book while I was catching the bus" (unlikely: reading while stepping onto the bus, paying the driver, etc.)



It is a similar meaning to catch as catching a fish, or catching a ball. You and the bus are apart, and then you bring yourself into contact with it through your own effort. If you try to catch a bus, and fail, you miss it.


One other thing, you catch a bus at a specific place:



"You can catch the bus to Coventry on Smith Street"



But you take the bus from a place:



"You can take the bus to Coventry from Smith Street"



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