English Phrasal Verbs With “Run”
Phrasal verbs are an essential part of English vocabulary, especially for learners aiming to sound more natural in conversation. The verb “run” combines with various prepositions or adverbs to form phrasal verbs with distinct meanings. Below is a comprehensive guide to common phrasal verbs with “run,” including meanings, examples, exercises, and answers.
1. Run Out Of
Meaning: To use up all of something, leaving none left.
- We ran out of milk, so I had to buy some more.
- She ran out of patience and left the meeting.
- They ran out of time before finishing the project.
Exercise:
Complete the sentences with “run out of.”
- I need to go to the store because we ___ bread.
- He ___ ideas and couldn’t continue writing.
- The car ___ gas in the middle of the highway.
Answers:
- ran out of
- ran out of
- ran out of
2. Run Into
Meaning: To meet someone unexpectedly or encounter a problem.
- I ran into my old friend at the mall yesterday.
- They ran into financial difficulties last year.
- We ran into heavy traffic on our way home.
Exercise:
Fill in the blanks with “run into.”
- She ___ her teacher at the café.
- The company ___ legal issues last month.
- We ___ bad weather during our trip.
Answers:
- ran into
- ran into
- ran into
3. Run Over
Meaning: To hit someone/something with a vehicle, or to review something quickly.
- The driver accidentally ran over a bicycle.
- Let’s run over the main points before the presentation.
- The dog was run over by a speeding car.
Exercise:
Choose the correct meaning of “run over” in these sentences.
- The truck almost ran over a pedestrian. (Hit / Review)
- Can we run over the schedule one more time? (Hit / Review)
- She ran over her notes before the exam. (Hit / Review)
Answers:
- Hit
- Review
- Review
4. Run Away
Meaning: To escape or leave a place quickly, often to avoid trouble.
- The thief ran away before the police arrived.
- She wanted to run away from her problems.
- The dog ran away from its owner.
Exercise:
Rewrite the sentences using “run away.”
- The child escaped from the playground.
- He left home secretly at night.
- The prisoner fled from jail.
Answers:
- The child ran away from the playground.
- He ran away from home at night.
- The prisoner ran away from jail.
5. Run Through
Meaning: To rehearse, explain, or go over something quickly.
- Let’s run through the script before the play.
- He ran through his savings in just a few months.
- The teacher ran through the lesson again for clarity.
Exercise:
Complete the sentences with “run through.”
- We should ___ the instructions before starting.
- She ___ all her money on unnecessary things.
- Can you ___ the main points of your argument?
Answers:
- run through
- ran through
- run through
Summary Table of Phrasal Verbs with “Run”
Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
---|---|---|
Run out of | Use up all of something | We ran out of sugar. |
Run into | Meet unexpectedly or face a problem | I ran into an old friend. |
Run over | Hit with a vehicle or review quickly | The car ran over a pothole. |
Run away | Escape or leave quickly | The cat ran away from home. |
Run through | Rehearse or use up quickly | He ran through his savings. |
By mastering these phrasal verbs, English learners can enhance their fluency and comprehension. Practice regularly to use them naturally in conversations!