7 Phrasal Verbs and Multiple Uses of ‘Run’ in English
This Confident English lesson was originally published in 2016.
It was updated with new content on phrasal verbs and a video lesson in November 2020.
One of the great challenges in English is understanding words with multiple meanings. For example, the meaning of run is completely different in the following sentences:
- I love to go for a run in the mornings.
- I’m sorry – I have to run to a meeting. I’ll see you later!
- I’m going to run to the cafeteria downstairs – do you need anything?
- Oh no! I have a run in my stockings! This looks terrible!
- The house on the corner with the ivy running up the side is for sale.
- Did you hear that Joseph is going to run in the election?
In fact, did you know that if you look up the word ‘run’ in the dictionary, you’ll find over 90 different uses or meanings!?!? And that is just as a verb.
On top of that, ‘run’ is used in multiple phrasal verbs and as a noun as well.
In today’s Confident English lesson, you’ll learn to use the most common meanings of the word run plus 7 common phrasal verbs. Throughout the lesson, you’ll hear practical example sentences and get the chance to practice with some of your own sentences.
Meanings of Run as a Verb
Run: to move legs quickly, more rapidly than a walk
I run every morning for exercise. It also helps clear my mind and reduce stress!
Run: to move or act quickly
Run to the kitchen to get the stain cleaner! This red wine will stain the sofa if we don’t clean it immediately.
I’m sorry, I’ve got to run. I have a meeting in 10 minutes but I’ll call you tomorrow so we can finish talking.
Run: to make a quick trip, an informal and short visit
I’m going to run to the grocery store for some milk and apples. I forgot to get them earlier. Do you need anything?
You should run next door to wish Jon a happy birthday. They are leaving soon but I know he would really appreciate seeing you.
Run: to be in or to campaign in an election
Can you believe there are 12 candidates running in this year’s election? That is just too many people!
I’m thinking about running for president of the neighborhood association. What do you think?
Run: to flow as a liquid, to flow along, or to empty liquid contents
The river is running very strong right now after all the rain!
The Volga River is over 2,000 miles long and it runs into the Caspian Sea.
The river runs right through the middle of the city.
Run: to creep, trail climb, or grow as vines
I’ve always loved homes with ivy running up the sides of the house.
Using ‘Run’ in Phrasal Verbs
To run around: to move quickly around an area
You can run around in the backyard before dinner.
When I travel, I like to run around a new city to get familiar with it.
To run after: to chase or pursue
I woke up late this morning and had to run after the bus to catch it.
To run into: to meet someone unexpectedly; to hit/encounter something unexpectedly
I ran into Janet at the store and got to catch up on her new job. It’s been so long since I’ve seen her.
Yesterday’s job interview was mortifying. At the end, I stood up and run into the glass door.
This week our team ran into a major technical problem at work.
To run on: to be powered by
This lamp runs on batteries.
Electric cars run on electricity.
To run out of: to use or finish something until it’s gone
It’s a crisis at my house when we’ve run out of coffee!
Oh no, we’ve run out of printer ink but I have to make copies of these documents now.
To run through: to review or practice
I’d like to run through my presentation one more time.
Let’s run through the agenda to make sure we haven’t missed anything.
To run by: to share an idea/information with someone for feedback/input
I’d like to run this idea by you before I share it at the meeting tomorrow.
Can I run something by you?
Meanings of Run as a Noun
Run: the act, the length of time or the distance for running
He just finished his 5-mile run.
Will you join the 10-k run to help raise funds for Breast Cancer?
Run: the line or place where stitches in a fabric come undone
I just bought these stockings and they already have a run in them! I’m so frustrated.
Choose 2-3 new uses of the word run. Create your own sentences using the word. Try to use sentences that you might use for your normal life in a conversation or business situation. Can you think of any examples?
Share your examples below. I will help you if you are not sure. And then try to use these sentences this week. Remember: the number 1 secret to learning a new word is repetition, so try to use this new meaning until it is natural for you to use it.
Then repeat with another new meaning.
I’m excited to read your example sentences!
~Annemarie
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Yesterday I had to run to a store to buy some groceries that I didn’t realize that I’d run out of. Inside the store, there were two young boys playfully running around the aisles while an old woman, apparently their grandmother, was running after them in a vain attempt to catch them. Before leaving the store, I quickly ran through the list of the items on the reciept to make sure that everything was correctly charged. On the way back to my car in the parking lot, I ran into my real estate agent so I told her I wanted… Read more »
I have been studying something new everyday in english to improve my english speaking skills. As you can see that what my mistake here is i don’t run through the things that i have learned. i have to run through them hereafter😊
From time to time i run into a some kind of an obstacles. But i have committed with them right now
Hi everyone! Running through the meanings of the word, I remembered that a few years ago I myself ran for a district council (and lost. Anyway that was a great experience). It’s actually the first time I’m using this meaning of run.
Hi Irina. Thank you for your comment. We’re glad the lesson was helpful for you, and you will use “run” in many different ways according to the situation.
HI ,Annemarie;
Happy thanksgiving!
I like your lessons, thank you !!
I’m retired,but still like reading books and learning …
I’ve been running a club named “la lecture est joie et culture” in a middle school,
where kids choose the books and read loudly.
They have the opportunity to write their own stories and run through their writings with each other before presentation or acting.
I let them run around the area and find the right place to do activities (acting or competing).
Hi Raoudha. Thank you so much for your comment and for sharing your lovely story with us. What a fun activity for kids. I’m sure they are lucky to have you!
Hello Annemarie, On this special day-Thanksgiving, I appreciate your help. Thank you for sending me free courses every week. I wish you a happy Thanksgiving!
Hello Annemarie, thank you for the lesson you provided today. It was excellent as usual.
Last weeK while I was sopping, I ran into one of my old friend from Edmonton. We both were very excited to meet each other after a long time.
I had a speech yesterday, I ran a positive feedback by my evaluator which was very motivating and challenging. I’m happy because from her feedback I learned how to run through speeches.
Once I saw my ESL teacher at the parking lots. When I ran after her, unfortunately, I didn’t find her.
Before every single lesson I used to run through the concept of my teaching drafts. I’d like to run my speech by my colleagues before I deliver it tomorrow. — I have a question concerning the following example sentence you gave us: “I ran into Janet at the store and got to catch up on her new job. It’s been so long since I’ve seen her.” Actually, I was told to use the past perfect for the last bit of your example: It had been so long since I had seen her. Are both sentences correct? Annemarie, thank you so… Read more »
Hi Anne Marie 🙂
It’s a great problem at my house when we have run ot of integral saraceno’s bread!
Oh my god! I woke up too late this morning and had to run after the bus to catch it.
Let’s run trough my canva presentation before workshop start to make me sure thath i haven’t missed anything.
Regards
Cinzia
Hi Cinzia. Thank you for your example sentences. I’m wondering if that saraceno’s bread is so delicious? I’d love to taste it. Great work on your own examples!
Love this lesson! very practical!! I will definitely run through the uses of “run” multiple times! Thanks Annemarie!
Hi Lydia. Thank you so much for your comment. We’re thrilled to know the lesson was helpful for you.
love your lessons!! very practical!!
I don´t understand what to use when I am asking a questio for someboday to do something or if i can do something. I also don´t know when to use well and good. Please help!
It’s fantastic when you suddenly run into a book that is better than you thought
I like to run my thoughts by friends and to know their opinion about
I always have to run after thousand of things that are not pleasant but necessary
Thank you Annemarie, you’re the best
Tommaso
It’s definitely a bad moment when I realize that I run out of my favourite strawberry ja for breakfast. Thankfully my mate will run to the grocery on his way to work. He knows that I run around all the day and I need a lot of energy.
It’s of the utmost importance to run through the presentation of the project before the meeting so as to avoid a bad impression.
Thank you for the great lesson!! 😍
Vania
My sister running a restaurant in the town
Good start here, Alex. We just need a verb: “My sister _____ running a restaurant in town.”
Being a working mother of two kids, I am all the time running around.
I feel desesperated when I run out of olive oil at the kitchen, because I use it a lot for cooking and putting in the salads.
I’ve been thinking running for member of the union organisation in my work.
I would like to run through the content of my article before publish it on the web.
Last week thousands of self-employed ran into technical problems when they tried to ask for a state subsidy on internet.
Hey Annemarie,
Thank you for your useful and very interesting lesson 🙂
Best
Agnieszka
You’re so welcome, Agnieszka!!! And perfect examples! Well done.
P.S. I love your dog’s name. 😊
I ran out of bread. I was running after the bus when I ran into a person who was running for mayor this year.
I went to the city and my car run out of gas yesterday, I had not money I had to run after the bus and took some money.
If someone strange is running aroound your house you must call the police.
This lesson has been very useful and interesting for mee. thank you for send this leesson every week.
It’s very pleasant for me to run into a friend during a walk outside.
But, it’s very unpleasant for me to run out of an ingredient when I decide to make a recipe.
Many thanks for your lesson today !
I am very grateful for your work. The subject you choose are useful .
I run through Dutch. It is very dificult for me since I am an Spanish speaker
It was absolutely amazing, very easy to understand. Could you please upload more like these. I mean the words with different contextual meanings. That will be a lot more helpful. Thank you. 😊
Hi Saditya, I’m so glad to know this was helpful. I can absolutely plan more lessons like this.
Again, I ran out of time and I missed the bus. I had to be there at 7:00 Am , but I reached it 10 minutes late. I think that I have to run out form this crowded city before getting crazy.
I have been saving money to buy this coat since last summer. When I bought it , it has a run in it . what A luck I have.
Hi Iman – I love these examples! Great job and thank you for sharing. When using “run” with clothing, we can also use the word “tear.” So in your example with the coat, we could also say: It had a tear in it. But there is a slight difference between the two words … What is the difference between a tear and a run in clothing? A run is when 1 thread begins to come undone. For example, in a knit sweater or in a pair of stockings. A tear in fabric is an opening or separation caused by pulling… Read more »
I have run out of coffee.
You can’t run away from the facts.
Perfect Yulia! If I run out of coffee, I have to run to the store immediately – I need my daily coffee! 🙂
And so true – you cannot run away from the facts! Great examples. ~ Annemarie
Hello Anne I would like to join the discussion ,I think I need more practice