I ran into him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I ran into him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unexpected encounter with someone, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "While I was shopping downtown, I ran into him and we chatted for a while."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

What if I ran into him?

The New York Times

One night, I ran into him at a party.

The New Yorker

I ran into him at a dinner party".

The New York Times

Then I ran into him at acupuncture, and he was like, "Oh!" [He laughs.] I ran into him.

The New York Times

And then I ran into him and he was lovely.

The Guardian - Film

"I ran into him once buying Julie jewelry," Felsen says.

The New York Times - Magazine

One evening that year, I ran into him in the hospital cafeteria.

The New York Times

"I ran into him one time, and he dragged me to see it," Mr. Neiman recalled.

The New York Times

"I ran into him at dinner after the game," Young said.

The New York Times

Nothing really memorable, but I ran into him a number of times.

The New Yorker

I ran into him just as he was about to go onstage.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your language by using synonyms like "I bumped into him" or "I came across him" to avoid repetition.

Common error

While "I ran into him" is widely understood, it might be too informal for professional or academic writing. Consider alternatives like "I encountered him" or "I met him unexpectedly" in formal situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I ran into him" functions as an idiom describing an unplanned or unexpected meeting with someone. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, highlighting its common usage in everyday language.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I ran into him" is a grammatically sound and very common idiom used to describe an unplanned meeting. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its widespread acceptance, particularly in news and media contexts. While suitable for informal and neutral communication, consider more formal alternatives like "I encountered him" in professional or academic settings. Remember to vary your language by using synonyms such as "I bumped into him" or "I came across him" to avoid sounding repetitive. The phrase is direct and easy to understand, making it an effective way to describe chance encounters in everyday language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I bumped into him

Replaces "ran into" with "bumped into", implying a more accidental and less intentional meeting.

I came across him

Uses "came across" as a synonym for "ran into", indicating a casual and unplanned meeting.

I happened to meet him

Uses "happened to meet" to convey the unexpected nature of the encounter.

I met him by chance

Phrases the meeting as occurring "by chance", highlighting the lack of planning.

I chanced upon him

Replaces "ran into" with "chanced upon", suggesting a more serendipitous meeting.

I stumbled upon him

Uses "stumbled upon" to imply an even more accidental and less directed meeting.

I encountered him unexpectedly

Adds the adverb "unexpectedly" to emphasize the surprise of the meeting.

I unexpectedly saw him

Focuses on the act of "seeing" him unexpectedly.

Our paths crossed unexpectedly

Employs a more metaphorical expression emphasizing the unexpected meeting of paths.

I found myself face to face with him

This is a more figurative way of saying they met, focusing on the visual element.

FAQs

What does "I ran into him" mean?

The phrase "I ran into him" means that you met someone unexpectedly or by chance. It implies that the meeting wasn't planned or scheduled.

What can I say instead of "I ran into him"?

You can use alternatives like "I bumped into him", "I came across him", or "I happened to meet him" depending on the context.

Is "I ran into him" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I ran into him" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English to describe an unplanned meeting.

Is it appropriate to use "I ran into him" in a formal setting?

While widely understood, "I ran into him" is generally more suitable for informal settings. In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "I encountered him" or "I met him unexpectedly".