diff --git a/src/compiler/checker.ts b/src/compiler/checker.ts
index 87aa1e346265d..de979c12882cf 100644
--- a/src/compiler/checker.ts
+++ b/src/compiler/checker.ts
@@ -8124,7 +8124,11 @@ namespace ts {
             // Handle catch clause variables
             const declaration = symbol.valueDeclaration;
             if (isCatchClauseVariableDeclarationOrBindingElement(declaration)) {
-                return anyType;
+                const decl = declaration as VariableDeclaration;
+                if (!decl.type) return anyType;
+                const type = getTypeOfNode(decl.type);
+                // an errorType will make `checkTryStatement` issue an error
+                return isTypeAny(type) || type === unknownType ? type : errorType;
             }
             // Handle export default expressions
             if (isSourceFile(declaration) && isJsonSourceFile(declaration)) {
@@ -33369,8 +33373,9 @@ namespace ts {
             if (catchClause) {
                 // Grammar checking
                 if (catchClause.variableDeclaration) {
-                    if (catchClause.variableDeclaration.type) {
-                        grammarErrorOnFirstToken(catchClause.variableDeclaration.type, Diagnostics.Catch_clause_variable_cannot_have_a_type_annotation);
+                    if (catchClause.variableDeclaration.type && getTypeOfNode(catchClause.variableDeclaration) === errorType) {
+                        grammarErrorOnFirstToken(catchClause.variableDeclaration.type,
+                                                 Diagnostics.Catch_clause_variable_type_annotation_must_be_any_or_unknown_if_specified);
                     }
                     else if (catchClause.variableDeclaration.initializer) {
                         grammarErrorOnFirstToken(catchClause.variableDeclaration.initializer, Diagnostics.Catch_clause_variable_cannot_have_an_initializer);
diff --git a/src/compiler/diagnosticMessages.json b/src/compiler/diagnosticMessages.json
index 1d98e2e6f19a4..1187f8bb4e9ee 100644
--- a/src/compiler/diagnosticMessages.json
+++ b/src/compiler/diagnosticMessages.json
@@ -619,7 +619,7 @@
         "category": "Error",
         "code": 1195
     },
-    "Catch clause variable cannot have a type annotation.": {
+    "Catch clause variable type annotation must be 'any' or 'unknown' if specified.": {
         "category": "Error",
         "code": 1196
     },
diff --git a/tests/baselines/reference/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.errors.txt b/tests/baselines/reference/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.errors.txt
index 5bc7339d2fc93..e5bd5be16ef09 100644
--- a/tests/baselines/reference/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.errors.txt
+++ b/tests/baselines/reference/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.errors.txt
@@ -1,9 +1,56 @@
-tests/cases/compiler/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts(2,13): error TS1196: Catch clause variable cannot have a type annotation.
+tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts(17,36): error TS2339: Property 'foo' does not exist on type 'unknown'.
+tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts(18,37): error TS2339: Property 'foo' does not exist on type 'unknown'.
+tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts(19,23): error TS1196: Catch clause variable type annotation must be 'any' or 'unknown' if specified.
+tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts(20,23): error TS1196: Catch clause variable type annotation must be 'any' or 'unknown' if specified.
+tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts(29,29): error TS2492: Cannot redeclare identifier 'x' in catch clause.
+tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts(30,29): error TS2403: Subsequent variable declarations must have the same type.  Variable 'x' must be of type 'boolean', but here has type 'string'.
 
 
-==== tests/cases/compiler/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts (1 errors) ====
-    try {
-    } catch (e: any) {
-                ~~~
-!!! error TS1196: Catch clause variable cannot have a type annotation.
-    }
\ No newline at end of file
+==== tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts (6 errors) ====
+    type any1 = any;
+    type unknown1 = unknown;
+    
+    function fn(x: boolean) {
+    
+        // no type annotation allowed other than `any` and `unknown`
+        try { } catch (x) { } // should be OK
+        try { } catch (x: any) { } // should be OK
+        try { } catch (x: any1) { } // should be OK
+        try { } catch (x: unknown) { } // should be OK
+        try { } catch (x: unknown1) { } // should be OK
+        try { } catch (x) { x.foo; } // should be OK
+        try { } catch (x: any) { x.foo; } // should be OK
+        try { } catch (x: any1) { x.foo; } // should be OK
+        try { } catch (x: unknown) { console.log(x); } // should be OK
+        try { } catch (x: unknown1) { console.log(x); } // should be OK
+        try { } catch (x: unknown) { x.foo; } // error in the body
+                                       ~~~
+!!! error TS2339: Property 'foo' does not exist on type 'unknown'.
+        try { } catch (x: unknown1) { x.foo; } // error in the body
+                                        ~~~
+!!! error TS2339: Property 'foo' does not exist on type 'unknown'.
+        try { } catch (x: Error) { } // error in the type
+                          ~~~~~
+!!! error TS1196: Catch clause variable type annotation must be 'any' or 'unknown' if specified.
+        try { } catch (x: object) { } // error in the type
+                          ~~~~~~
+!!! error TS1196: Catch clause variable type annotation must be 'any' or 'unknown' if specified.
+    
+        try { console.log(); }
+        // @ts-ignore
+        catch (e: number) { // e should not be a `number`
+            console.log(e.toLowerCase());
+        }
+    
+        // minor bug: shows that the `catch` argument is skipped when checking scope
+        try { } catch (x) { let x: string; }
+                                ~
+!!! error TS2492: Cannot redeclare identifier 'x' in catch clause.
+        try { } catch (x) { var x: string; }
+                                ~
+!!! error TS2403: Subsequent variable declarations must have the same type.  Variable 'x' must be of type 'boolean', but here has type 'string'.
+!!! related TS6203 tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts:4:13: 'x' was also declared here.
+        try { } catch (x) { var x: boolean; }
+    
+    }
+    
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/baselines/reference/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.js b/tests/baselines/reference/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.js
index 097abe0a9caeb..e6ecc235af46b 100644
--- a/tests/baselines/reference/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.js
+++ b/tests/baselines/reference/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.js
@@ -1,10 +1,102 @@
 //// [catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts]
-try {
-} catch (e: any) {
-}
+type any1 = any;
+type unknown1 = unknown;
+
+function fn(x: boolean) {
+
+    // no type annotation allowed other than `any` and `unknown`
+    try { } catch (x) { } // should be OK
+    try { } catch (x: any) { } // should be OK
+    try { } catch (x: any1) { } // should be OK
+    try { } catch (x: unknown) { } // should be OK
+    try { } catch (x: unknown1) { } // should be OK
+    try { } catch (x) { x.foo; } // should be OK
+    try { } catch (x: any) { x.foo; } // should be OK
+    try { } catch (x: any1) { x.foo; } // should be OK
+    try { } catch (x: unknown) { console.log(x); } // should be OK
+    try { } catch (x: unknown1) { console.log(x); } // should be OK
+    try { } catch (x: unknown) { x.foo; } // error in the body
+    try { } catch (x: unknown1) { x.foo; } // error in the body
+    try { } catch (x: Error) { } // error in the type
+    try { } catch (x: object) { } // error in the type
+
+    try { console.log(); }
+    // @ts-ignore
+    catch (e: number) { // e should not be a `number`
+        console.log(e.toLowerCase());
+    }
+
+    // minor bug: shows that the `catch` argument is skipped when checking scope
+    try { } catch (x) { let x: string; }
+    try { } catch (x) { var x: string; }
+    try { } catch (x) { var x: boolean; }
+
+}
+
 
 //// [catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.js]
-try {
-}
-catch (e) {
+function fn(x) {
+    // no type annotation allowed other than `any` and `unknown`
+    try { }
+    catch (x) { } // should be OK
+    try { }
+    catch (x) { } // should be OK
+    try { }
+    catch (x) { } // should be OK
+    try { }
+    catch (x) { } // should be OK
+    try { }
+    catch (x) { } // should be OK
+    try { }
+    catch (x) {
+        x.foo;
+    } // should be OK
+    try { }
+    catch (x) {
+        x.foo;
+    } // should be OK
+    try { }
+    catch (x) {
+        x.foo;
+    } // should be OK
+    try { }
+    catch (x) {
+        console.log(x);
+    } // should be OK
+    try { }
+    catch (x) {
+        console.log(x);
+    } // should be OK
+    try { }
+    catch (x) {
+        x.foo;
+    } // error in the body
+    try { }
+    catch (x) {
+        x.foo;
+    } // error in the body
+    try { }
+    catch (x) { } // error in the type
+    try { }
+    catch (x) { } // error in the type
+    try {
+        console.log();
+    }
+    // @ts-ignore
+    catch (e) { // e should not be a `number`
+        console.log(e.toLowerCase());
+    }
+    // minor bug: shows that the `catch` argument is skipped when checking scope
+    try { }
+    catch (x) {
+        var x_1;
+    }
+    try { }
+    catch (x) {
+        var x;
+    }
+    try { }
+    catch (x) {
+        var x;
+    }
 }
diff --git a/tests/baselines/reference/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.symbols b/tests/baselines/reference/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.symbols
index 8358d40a286ad..b8774e2086976 100644
--- a/tests/baselines/reference/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.symbols
+++ b/tests/baselines/reference/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.symbols
@@ -1,5 +1,104 @@
-=== tests/cases/compiler/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts ===
-try {
-} catch (e: any) {
->e : Symbol(e, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 1, 9))
+=== tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts ===
+type any1 = any;
+>any1 : Symbol(any1, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 0, 0))
+
+type unknown1 = unknown;
+>unknown1 : Symbol(unknown1, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 0, 16))
+
+function fn(x: boolean) {
+>fn : Symbol(fn, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 1, 24))
+>x : Symbol(x, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 3, 12), Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 29, 27), Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 30, 27))
+
+    // no type annotation allowed other than `any` and `unknown`
+    try { } catch (x) { } // should be OK
+>x : Symbol(x, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 6, 19))
+
+    try { } catch (x: any) { } // should be OK
+>x : Symbol(x, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 7, 19))
+
+    try { } catch (x: any1) { } // should be OK
+>x : Symbol(x, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 8, 19))
+>any1 : Symbol(any1, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 0, 0))
+
+    try { } catch (x: unknown) { } // should be OK
+>x : Symbol(x, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 9, 19))
+
+    try { } catch (x: unknown1) { } // should be OK
+>x : Symbol(x, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 10, 19))
+>unknown1 : Symbol(unknown1, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 0, 16))
+
+    try { } catch (x) { x.foo; } // should be OK
+>x : Symbol(x, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 11, 19))
+>x : Symbol(x, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 11, 19))
+
+    try { } catch (x: any) { x.foo; } // should be OK
+>x : Symbol(x, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 12, 19))
+>x : Symbol(x, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 12, 19))
+
+    try { } catch (x: any1) { x.foo; } // should be OK
+>x : Symbol(x, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 13, 19))
+>any1 : Symbol(any1, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 0, 0))
+>x : Symbol(x, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 13, 19))
+
+    try { } catch (x: unknown) { console.log(x); } // should be OK
+>x : Symbol(x, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 14, 19))
+>console.log : Symbol(Console.log, Decl(lib.dom.d.ts, --, --))
+>console : Symbol(console, Decl(lib.dom.d.ts, --, --))
+>log : Symbol(Console.log, Decl(lib.dom.d.ts, --, --))
+>x : Symbol(x, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 14, 19))
+
+    try { } catch (x: unknown1) { console.log(x); } // should be OK
+>x : Symbol(x, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 15, 19))
+>unknown1 : Symbol(unknown1, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 0, 16))
+>console.log : Symbol(Console.log, Decl(lib.dom.d.ts, --, --))
+>console : Symbol(console, Decl(lib.dom.d.ts, --, --))
+>log : Symbol(Console.log, Decl(lib.dom.d.ts, --, --))
+>x : Symbol(x, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 15, 19))
+
+    try { } catch (x: unknown) { x.foo; } // error in the body
+>x : Symbol(x, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 16, 19))
+>x : Symbol(x, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 16, 19))
+
+    try { } catch (x: unknown1) { x.foo; } // error in the body
+>x : Symbol(x, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 17, 19))
+>unknown1 : Symbol(unknown1, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 0, 16))
+>x : Symbol(x, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 17, 19))
+
+    try { } catch (x: Error) { } // error in the type
+>x : Symbol(x, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 18, 19))
+>Error : Symbol(Error, Decl(lib.es5.d.ts, --, --), Decl(lib.es5.d.ts, --, --))
+
+    try { } catch (x: object) { } // error in the type
+>x : Symbol(x, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 19, 19))
+
+    try { console.log(); }
+>console.log : Symbol(Console.log, Decl(lib.dom.d.ts, --, --))
+>console : Symbol(console, Decl(lib.dom.d.ts, --, --))
+>log : Symbol(Console.log, Decl(lib.dom.d.ts, --, --))
+
+    // @ts-ignore
+    catch (e: number) { // e should not be a `number`
+>e : Symbol(e, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 23, 11))
+
+        console.log(e.toLowerCase());
+>console.log : Symbol(Console.log, Decl(lib.dom.d.ts, --, --))
+>console : Symbol(console, Decl(lib.dom.d.ts, --, --))
+>log : Symbol(Console.log, Decl(lib.dom.d.ts, --, --))
+>e : Symbol(e, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 23, 11))
+    }
+
+    // minor bug: shows that the `catch` argument is skipped when checking scope
+    try { } catch (x) { let x: string; }
+>x : Symbol(x, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 28, 19))
+>x : Symbol(x, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 28, 27))
+
+    try { } catch (x) { var x: string; }
+>x : Symbol(x, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 29, 19))
+>x : Symbol(x, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 3, 12), Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 29, 27), Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 30, 27))
+
+    try { } catch (x) { var x: boolean; }
+>x : Symbol(x, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 30, 19))
+>x : Symbol(x, Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 3, 12), Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 29, 27), Decl(catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts, 30, 27))
+
 }
+
diff --git a/tests/baselines/reference/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.types b/tests/baselines/reference/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.types
index 74ee8463b92a8..a0d1eec0ab590 100644
--- a/tests/baselines/reference/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.types
+++ b/tests/baselines/reference/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.types
@@ -1,5 +1,115 @@
-=== tests/cases/compiler/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts ===
-try {
-} catch (e: any) {
+=== tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts ===
+type any1 = any;
+>any1 : any
+
+type unknown1 = unknown;
+>unknown1 : unknown
+
+function fn(x: boolean) {
+>fn : (x: boolean) => void
+>x : boolean
+
+    // no type annotation allowed other than `any` and `unknown`
+    try { } catch (x) { } // should be OK
+>x : any
+
+    try { } catch (x: any) { } // should be OK
+>x : any
+
+    try { } catch (x: any1) { } // should be OK
+>x : any
+
+    try { } catch (x: unknown) { } // should be OK
+>x : unknown
+
+    try { } catch (x: unknown1) { } // should be OK
+>x : unknown
+
+    try { } catch (x) { x.foo; } // should be OK
+>x : any
+>x.foo : any
+>x : any
+>foo : any
+
+    try { } catch (x: any) { x.foo; } // should be OK
+>x : any
+>x.foo : any
+>x : any
+>foo : any
+
+    try { } catch (x: any1) { x.foo; } // should be OK
+>x : any
+>x.foo : any
+>x : any
+>foo : any
+
+    try { } catch (x: unknown) { console.log(x); } // should be OK
+>x : unknown
+>console.log(x) : void
+>console.log : (...data: any[]) => void
+>console : Console
+>log : (...data: any[]) => void
+>x : unknown
+
+    try { } catch (x: unknown1) { console.log(x); } // should be OK
+>x : unknown
+>console.log(x) : void
+>console.log : (...data: any[]) => void
+>console : Console
+>log : (...data: any[]) => void
+>x : unknown
+
+    try { } catch (x: unknown) { x.foo; } // error in the body
+>x : unknown
+>x.foo : any
+>x : unknown
+>foo : any
+
+    try { } catch (x: unknown1) { x.foo; } // error in the body
+>x : unknown
+>x.foo : any
+>x : unknown
+>foo : any
+
+    try { } catch (x: Error) { } // error in the type
+>x : any
+
+    try { } catch (x: object) { } // error in the type
+>x : any
+
+    try { console.log(); }
+>console.log() : void
+>console.log : (...data: any[]) => void
+>console : Console
+>log : (...data: any[]) => void
+
+    // @ts-ignore
+    catch (e: number) { // e should not be a `number`
 >e : any
+
+        console.log(e.toLowerCase());
+>console.log(e.toLowerCase()) : void
+>console.log : (...data: any[]) => void
+>console : Console
+>log : (...data: any[]) => void
+>e.toLowerCase() : any
+>e.toLowerCase : any
+>e : any
+>toLowerCase : any
+    }
+
+    // minor bug: shows that the `catch` argument is skipped when checking scope
+    try { } catch (x) { let x: string; }
+>x : any
+>x : string
+
+    try { } catch (x) { var x: string; }
+>x : any
+>x : boolean
+
+    try { } catch (x) { var x: boolean; }
+>x : any
+>x : boolean
+
 }
+
diff --git a/tests/baselines/reference/invalidTryStatements.errors.txt b/tests/baselines/reference/invalidTryStatements.errors.txt
index a2f8a7bac0c96..0e666dcd8b693 100644
--- a/tests/baselines/reference/invalidTryStatements.errors.txt
+++ b/tests/baselines/reference/invalidTryStatements.errors.txt
@@ -1,25 +1,44 @@
-tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/invalidTryStatements.ts(8,23): error TS1196: Catch clause variable cannot have a type annotation.
-tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/invalidTryStatements.ts(9,23): error TS1196: Catch clause variable cannot have a type annotation.
-tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/invalidTryStatements.ts(10,23): error TS1196: Catch clause variable cannot have a type annotation.
+tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/invalidTryStatements.ts(2,5): error TS1005: 'try' expected.
+tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/invalidTryStatements.ts(6,12): error TS1005: 'finally' expected.
+tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/invalidTryStatements.ts(10,5): error TS1005: 'try' expected.
+tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/invalidTryStatements.ts(11,5): error TS1005: 'try' expected.
+tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/invalidTryStatements.ts(15,5): error TS1005: 'try' expected.
+tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/invalidTryStatements.ts(17,5): error TS1005: 'try' expected.
+tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/invalidTryStatements.ts(19,20): error TS1003: Identifier expected.
 
 
-==== tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/invalidTryStatements.ts (3 errors) ====
+==== tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/invalidTryStatements.ts (7 errors) ====
     function fn() {
-        try {
-        } catch (x) {
-            var x: string; // ensure x is 'Any'
-        }
+        catch(x) { } // error missing try
+        ~~~~~
+!!! error TS1005: 'try' expected.
     
-        // no type annotation allowed
-        try { } catch (z: any) { }
-                          ~~~
-!!! error TS1196: Catch clause variable cannot have a type annotation.
-        try { } catch (a: number) { }
-                          ~~~~~~
-!!! error TS1196: Catch clause variable cannot have a type annotation.
-        try { } catch (y: string) { }
-                          ~~~~~~
-!!! error TS1196: Catch clause variable cannot have a type annotation.
+        finally { } // potential error; can be absorbed by the 'catch'
+    
+        try { }; // error missing finally
+               ~
+!!! error TS1005: 'finally' expected.
     }
     
-    
\ No newline at end of file
+    function fn2() {
+        finally { } // error missing try
+        ~~~~~~~
+!!! error TS1005: 'try' expected.
+        catch (x) { } // error missing try
+        ~~~~~
+!!! error TS1005: 'try' expected.
+        
+        try { } finally { } // statement is here, so the 'catch' clause above doesn't absorb errors from the 'finally' clause below
+    
+        finally { } // error missing try
+        ~~~~~~~
+!!! error TS1005: 'try' expected.
+        
+        catch (x) { } // error missing try
+        ~~~~~
+!!! error TS1005: 'try' expected.
+    
+        try { } catch () { } // error missing catch binding
+                       ~
+!!! error TS1003: Identifier expected.
+    }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/baselines/reference/invalidTryStatements.js b/tests/baselines/reference/invalidTryStatements.js
index 343ad6e058400..135c2e5685070 100644
--- a/tests/baselines/reference/invalidTryStatements.js
+++ b/tests/baselines/reference/invalidTryStatements.js
@@ -1,30 +1,51 @@
 //// [invalidTryStatements.ts]
 function fn() {
-    try {
-    } catch (x) {
-        var x: string; // ensure x is 'Any'
-    }
+    catch(x) { } // error missing try
 
-    // no type annotation allowed
-    try { } catch (z: any) { }
-    try { } catch (a: number) { }
-    try { } catch (y: string) { }
+    finally { } // potential error; can be absorbed by the 'catch'
+
+    try { }; // error missing finally
 }
 
-
+function fn2() {
+    finally { } // error missing try
+    catch (x) { } // error missing try
+    
+    try { } finally { } // statement is here, so the 'catch' clause above doesn't absorb errors from the 'finally' clause below
+
+    finally { } // error missing try
+    
+    catch (x) { } // error missing try
+
+    try { } catch () { } // error missing catch binding
+}
 
 //// [invalidTryStatements.js]
 function fn() {
     try {
     }
-    catch (x) {
-        var x; // ensure x is 'Any'
-    }
-    // no type annotation allowed
+    catch (x) { } // error missing try
+    finally { } // potential error; can be absorbed by the 'catch'
     try { }
-    catch (z) { }
+    finally { // error missing finally
+     } // error missing finally
+    ; // error missing finally
+}
+function fn2() {
+    try {
+    }
+    finally { } // error missing try
+    try {
+    }
+    catch (x) { } // error missing try
     try { }
-    catch (a) { }
+    finally { } // statement is here, so the 'catch' clause above doesn't absorb errors from the 'finally' clause below
+    try {
+    }
+    finally { } // error missing try
+    try {
+    }
+    catch (x) { } // error missing try
     try { }
-    catch (y) { }
+    catch () { } // error missing catch binding
 }
diff --git a/tests/baselines/reference/invalidTryStatements.symbols b/tests/baselines/reference/invalidTryStatements.symbols
index d3d66657cd71c..294b10ca3e8ec 100644
--- a/tests/baselines/reference/invalidTryStatements.symbols
+++ b/tests/baselines/reference/invalidTryStatements.symbols
@@ -2,23 +2,28 @@
 function fn() {
 >fn : Symbol(fn, Decl(invalidTryStatements.ts, 0, 0))
 
-    try {
-    } catch (x) {
->x : Symbol(x, Decl(invalidTryStatements.ts, 2, 13))
+    catch(x) { } // error missing try
+>x : Symbol(x, Decl(invalidTryStatements.ts, 1, 10))
 
-        var x: string; // ensure x is 'Any'
->x : Symbol(x, Decl(invalidTryStatements.ts, 3, 11))
-    }
+    finally { } // potential error; can be absorbed by the 'catch'
 
-    // no type annotation allowed
-    try { } catch (z: any) { }
->z : Symbol(z, Decl(invalidTryStatements.ts, 7, 19))
+    try { }; // error missing finally
+}
 
-    try { } catch (a: number) { }
->a : Symbol(a, Decl(invalidTryStatements.ts, 8, 19))
+function fn2() {
+>fn2 : Symbol(fn2, Decl(invalidTryStatements.ts, 6, 1))
 
-    try { } catch (y: string) { }
->y : Symbol(y, Decl(invalidTryStatements.ts, 9, 19))
-}
+    finally { } // error missing try
+    catch (x) { } // error missing try
+>x : Symbol(x, Decl(invalidTryStatements.ts, 10, 11))
+    
+    try { } finally { } // statement is here, so the 'catch' clause above doesn't absorb errors from the 'finally' clause below
 
+    finally { } // error missing try
+    
+    catch (x) { } // error missing try
+>x : Symbol(x, Decl(invalidTryStatements.ts, 16, 11))
 
+    try { } catch () { } // error missing catch binding
+> : Symbol((Missing), Decl(invalidTryStatements.ts, 18, 19))
+}
diff --git a/tests/baselines/reference/invalidTryStatements.types b/tests/baselines/reference/invalidTryStatements.types
index 74fb3aad72757..4b4de7d5aa1f2 100644
--- a/tests/baselines/reference/invalidTryStatements.types
+++ b/tests/baselines/reference/invalidTryStatements.types
@@ -2,23 +2,28 @@
 function fn() {
 >fn : () => void
 
-    try {
-    } catch (x) {
+    catch(x) { } // error missing try
 >x : any
 
-        var x: string; // ensure x is 'Any'
->x : string
-    }
+    finally { } // potential error; can be absorbed by the 'catch'
 
-    // no type annotation allowed
-    try { } catch (z: any) { }
->z : any
+    try { }; // error missing finally
+}
 
-    try { } catch (a: number) { }
->a : any
+function fn2() {
+>fn2 : () => void
 
-    try { } catch (y: string) { }
->y : any
-}
+    finally { } // error missing try
+    catch (x) { } // error missing try
+>x : any
+    
+    try { } finally { } // statement is here, so the 'catch' clause above doesn't absorb errors from the 'finally' clause below
 
+    finally { } // error missing try
+    
+    catch (x) { } // error missing try
+>x : any
 
+    try { } catch () { } // error missing catch binding
+> : any
+}
diff --git a/tests/baselines/reference/invalidTryStatements2.errors.txt b/tests/baselines/reference/invalidTryStatements2.errors.txt
deleted file mode 100644
index a7c436236f2e4..0000000000000
--- a/tests/baselines/reference/invalidTryStatements2.errors.txt
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,44 +0,0 @@
-tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/invalidTryStatements2.ts(2,5): error TS1005: 'try' expected.
-tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/invalidTryStatements2.ts(6,12): error TS1005: 'finally' expected.
-tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/invalidTryStatements2.ts(10,5): error TS1005: 'try' expected.
-tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/invalidTryStatements2.ts(11,5): error TS1005: 'try' expected.
-tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/invalidTryStatements2.ts(15,5): error TS1005: 'try' expected.
-tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/invalidTryStatements2.ts(17,5): error TS1005: 'try' expected.
-tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/invalidTryStatements2.ts(19,20): error TS1003: Identifier expected.
-
-
-==== tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/invalidTryStatements2.ts (7 errors) ====
-    function fn() {
-        catch(x) { } // error missing try
-        ~~~~~
-!!! error TS1005: 'try' expected.
-    
-        finally { } // potential error; can be absorbed by the 'catch'
-    
-        try { }; // error missing finally
-               ~
-!!! error TS1005: 'finally' expected.
-    }
-    
-    function fn2() {
-        finally { } // error missing try
-        ~~~~~~~
-!!! error TS1005: 'try' expected.
-        catch (x) { } // error missing try
-        ~~~~~
-!!! error TS1005: 'try' expected.
-        
-        try { } finally { } // statement is here, so the 'catch' clause above doesn't absorb errors from the 'finally' clause below
-    
-        finally { } // error missing try
-        ~~~~~~~
-!!! error TS1005: 'try' expected.
-        
-        catch (x) { } // error missing try
-        ~~~~~
-!!! error TS1005: 'try' expected.
-    
-        try { } catch () { } // error missing catch binding
-                       ~
-!!! error TS1003: Identifier expected.
-    }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/baselines/reference/invalidTryStatements2.js b/tests/baselines/reference/invalidTryStatements2.js
deleted file mode 100644
index c866626848b43..0000000000000
--- a/tests/baselines/reference/invalidTryStatements2.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,51 +0,0 @@
-//// [invalidTryStatements2.ts]
-function fn() {
-    catch(x) { } // error missing try
-
-    finally { } // potential error; can be absorbed by the 'catch'
-
-    try { }; // error missing finally
-}
-
-function fn2() {
-    finally { } // error missing try
-    catch (x) { } // error missing try
-    
-    try { } finally { } // statement is here, so the 'catch' clause above doesn't absorb errors from the 'finally' clause below
-
-    finally { } // error missing try
-    
-    catch (x) { } // error missing try
-
-    try { } catch () { } // error missing catch binding
-}
-
-//// [invalidTryStatements2.js]
-function fn() {
-    try {
-    }
-    catch (x) { } // error missing try
-    finally { } // potential error; can be absorbed by the 'catch'
-    try { }
-    finally { // error missing finally
-     } // error missing finally
-    ; // error missing finally
-}
-function fn2() {
-    try {
-    }
-    finally { } // error missing try
-    try {
-    }
-    catch (x) { } // error missing try
-    try { }
-    finally { } // statement is here, so the 'catch' clause above doesn't absorb errors from the 'finally' clause below
-    try {
-    }
-    finally { } // error missing try
-    try {
-    }
-    catch (x) { } // error missing try
-    try { }
-    catch () { } // error missing catch binding
-}
diff --git a/tests/baselines/reference/invalidTryStatements2.symbols b/tests/baselines/reference/invalidTryStatements2.symbols
deleted file mode 100644
index cf64c399d0880..0000000000000
--- a/tests/baselines/reference/invalidTryStatements2.symbols
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,29 +0,0 @@
-=== tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/invalidTryStatements2.ts ===
-function fn() {
->fn : Symbol(fn, Decl(invalidTryStatements2.ts, 0, 0))
-
-    catch(x) { } // error missing try
->x : Symbol(x, Decl(invalidTryStatements2.ts, 1, 10))
-
-    finally { } // potential error; can be absorbed by the 'catch'
-
-    try { }; // error missing finally
-}
-
-function fn2() {
->fn2 : Symbol(fn2, Decl(invalidTryStatements2.ts, 6, 1))
-
-    finally { } // error missing try
-    catch (x) { } // error missing try
->x : Symbol(x, Decl(invalidTryStatements2.ts, 10, 11))
-    
-    try { } finally { } // statement is here, so the 'catch' clause above doesn't absorb errors from the 'finally' clause below
-
-    finally { } // error missing try
-    
-    catch (x) { } // error missing try
->x : Symbol(x, Decl(invalidTryStatements2.ts, 16, 11))
-
-    try { } catch () { } // error missing catch binding
-> : Symbol((Missing), Decl(invalidTryStatements2.ts, 18, 19))
-}
diff --git a/tests/baselines/reference/invalidTryStatements2.types b/tests/baselines/reference/invalidTryStatements2.types
deleted file mode 100644
index bf04220cf141a..0000000000000
--- a/tests/baselines/reference/invalidTryStatements2.types
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,29 +0,0 @@
-=== tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/invalidTryStatements2.ts ===
-function fn() {
->fn : () => void
-
-    catch(x) { } // error missing try
->x : any
-
-    finally { } // potential error; can be absorbed by the 'catch'
-
-    try { }; // error missing finally
-}
-
-function fn2() {
->fn2 : () => void
-
-    finally { } // error missing try
-    catch (x) { } // error missing try
->x : any
-    
-    try { } finally { } // statement is here, so the 'catch' clause above doesn't absorb errors from the 'finally' clause below
-
-    finally { } // error missing try
-    
-    catch (x) { } // error missing try
->x : any
-
-    try { } catch () { } // error missing catch binding
-> : any
-}
diff --git a/tests/baselines/reference/parserCatchClauseWithTypeAnnotation1.errors.txt b/tests/baselines/reference/parserCatchClauseWithTypeAnnotation1.errors.txt
index a1f1d1fd6c7fa..f16fb86f50be6 100644
--- a/tests/baselines/reference/parserCatchClauseWithTypeAnnotation1.errors.txt
+++ b/tests/baselines/reference/parserCatchClauseWithTypeAnnotation1.errors.txt
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
-tests/cases/conformance/parser/ecmascript5/CatchClauses/parserCatchClauseWithTypeAnnotation1.ts(2,13): error TS1196: Catch clause variable cannot have a type annotation.
+tests/cases/conformance/parser/ecmascript5/CatchClauses/parserCatchClauseWithTypeAnnotation1.ts(2,13): error TS1196: Catch clause variable type annotation must be 'any' or 'unknown' if specified.
 
 
 ==== tests/cases/conformance/parser/ecmascript5/CatchClauses/parserCatchClauseWithTypeAnnotation1.ts (1 errors) ====
     try {
     } catch (e: Error) {
                 ~~~~~
-!!! error TS1196: Catch clause variable cannot have a type annotation.
+!!! error TS1196: Catch clause variable type annotation must be 'any' or 'unknown' if specified.
     }
     
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/cases/compiler/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts b/tests/cases/compiler/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index e9462c272fe18..0000000000000
--- a/tests/cases/compiler/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-try {
-} catch (e: any) {
-}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts b/tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..e33aa3ba4451a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/catchClauseWithTypeAnnotation.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+type any1 = any;
+type unknown1 = unknown;
+
+function fn(x: boolean) {
+
+    // no type annotation allowed other than `any` and `unknown`
+    try { } catch (x) { } // should be OK
+    try { } catch (x: any) { } // should be OK
+    try { } catch (x: any1) { } // should be OK
+    try { } catch (x: unknown) { } // should be OK
+    try { } catch (x: unknown1) { } // should be OK
+    try { } catch (x) { x.foo; } // should be OK
+    try { } catch (x: any) { x.foo; } // should be OK
+    try { } catch (x: any1) { x.foo; } // should be OK
+    try { } catch (x: unknown) { console.log(x); } // should be OK
+    try { } catch (x: unknown1) { console.log(x); } // should be OK
+    try { } catch (x: unknown) { x.foo; } // error in the body
+    try { } catch (x: unknown1) { x.foo; } // error in the body
+    try { } catch (x: Error) { } // error in the type
+    try { } catch (x: object) { } // error in the type
+
+    try { console.log(); }
+    // @ts-ignore
+    catch (e: number) { // e should not be a `number`
+        console.log(e.toLowerCase());
+    }
+
+    // minor bug: shows that the `catch` argument is skipped when checking scope
+    try { } catch (x) { let x: string; }
+    try { } catch (x) { var x: string; }
+    try { } catch (x) { var x: boolean; }
+
+}
diff --git a/tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/invalidTryStatements.ts b/tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/invalidTryStatements.ts
index c838cf45f6948..7fb1b135c906b 100644
--- a/tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/invalidTryStatements.ts
+++ b/tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/invalidTryStatements.ts
@@ -1,12 +1,20 @@
 function fn() {
-    try {
-    } catch (x) {
-        var x: string; // ensure x is 'Any'
-    }
-
-    // no type annotation allowed
-    try { } catch (z: any) { }
-    try { } catch (a: number) { }
-    try { } catch (y: string) { }
+    catch(x) { } // error missing try
+
+    finally { } // potential error; can be absorbed by the 'catch'
+
+    try { }; // error missing finally
 }
 
+function fn2() {
+    finally { } // error missing try
+    catch (x) { } // error missing try
+    
+    try { } finally { } // statement is here, so the 'catch' clause above doesn't absorb errors from the 'finally' clause below
+
+    finally { } // error missing try
+    
+    catch (x) { } // error missing try
+
+    try { } catch () { } // error missing catch binding
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/invalidTryStatements2.ts b/tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/invalidTryStatements2.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index 7fb1b135c906b..0000000000000
--- a/tests/cases/conformance/statements/tryStatements/invalidTryStatements2.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,20 +0,0 @@
-function fn() {
-    catch(x) { } // error missing try
-
-    finally { } // potential error; can be absorbed by the 'catch'
-
-    try { }; // error missing finally
-}
-
-function fn2() {
-    finally { } // error missing try
-    catch (x) { } // error missing try
-    
-    try { } finally { } // statement is here, so the 'catch' clause above doesn't absorb errors from the 'finally' clause below
-
-    finally { } // error missing try
-    
-    catch (x) { } // error missing try
-
-    try { } catch () { } // error missing catch binding
-}
\ No newline at end of file