Use run when describing a person or animal moving swiftly on foot; it is common in everyday speech and sports contexts.
Use run when describing a person or animal moving swiftly on foot; it is common in everyday speech and sports contexts.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| He run fast | He runs fast |
| She runned to the store | She ran to the store |
Use run to talk about managing an organization, operating a device, or executing a program.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| We run the company last year | We ran the company last year |
| He run the software | He runs the software |
Use run when describing water, electricity, or other substances moving continuously.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The water run down the hill | The water runs down the hill |
| Electricity run through the wires | Electricity runs through the wires |
Use run to refer to a series of episodes, a streak of success, or a period of activity.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The show have a run of ten episodes | The show has a run of ten episodes |
| Our team enjoy a run of victories | Our team enjoys a run of victories |
Use run to describe a snag or tear in stockings or similar material.
| Incorrect | Correct |
Use run when speaking about someone seeking election to a public office.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| She run for mayor | She runs for mayor |
Use run for physical movement, for operating or managing something, for describing flow of liquids or electricity, for a series of events, for a tear in fabric, and for standing as a candidate.
He run fast instead of he runs fast, and she runned instead of the correct past tense ran. As a noun, 'the show have a run' should be 'has a run'. Avoid confusing the verb and noun senses in context.
From Old English rinnan “to flow, run”, related to Old Norse renna, German rinnen, from Proto‑Germanic rinnaną, ultimately from Proto‑Indo‑European root *rei‑ “to flow, run”.
What is the past tense of run?
The past tense of run is ran. The past participle is run: 'she has run three marathons'.
What does 'run for office' mean?
To run for office means to stand as a candidate in an election: 'she is running for mayor', 'he ran for president in 2020'.
What is a run in stockings or tights?
A run is a line of broken or unravelled threads in a knit fabric, especially hosiery. In British English this is also called a ladder.
What does 'on the run' mean?
'On the run' means fleeing from someone or something, usually the authorities: 'the suspect was on the run for three days'. It can also mean extremely busy: 'I've been on the run all morning'.
What is the difference between run and sprint?
Sprint means to run at full speed for a short distance. Run is broader and covers any speed faster than a walk, from a light jog to a fast race.