Ran into

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Ran into" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe an unexpected encounter with someone or something. Example: "I ran into an old friend at the grocery store yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ran into player who pushed head down.

Injury Epidemiology

"I ran into walls.

The New York Times

Obama ran into it.

Independent

She ran into success.

The New Yorker

This ran into trouble.

Independent

Recently, we ran into turbulence.

The New York Times

Then I ran into ED.

The New York Times

I ran into similar issues.

The New York Times

I ran into her there.

The New York Times

Few ran into serious trouble.

The Economist

Lance actually ran into me".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Ran into" to describe chance encounters with people or unexpected problems. The context often implies that the meeting or issue was not planned or anticipated.

Common error

While "Ran into" is widely understood, avoid it in highly formal or professional writing where more precise language might be preferred. Consider alternatives like "encountered" or "faced" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Ran into" primarily functions as a phrasal verb, indicating an unexpected encounter or the experiencing of unforeseen difficulties. Ludwig AI shows its frequent use in describing unplanned meetings or the emergence of problems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Ran into" is a very common and generally correct phrasal verb used to describe unexpected encounters or the experience of unforeseen problems. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's important to consider the context, as more formal alternatives might be suitable for professional or academic writing. It's predominantly used in news, media, and scientific contexts, making it a versatile phrase for everyday communication. Remember to avoid overusing "Ran into" in formal settings and consider alternatives like "encountered" or "faced" for a more sophisticated tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Bumped into

This alternative is a more informal synonym for encountering someone unexpectedly.

Came across

This alternative implies a chance discovery or meeting, similar to encountering unexpectedly.

Encountered

This alternative is a more formal synonym for meeting someone or something.

Met unexpectedly

This alternative explicitly states the unexpected nature of the meeting.

Collided with

This alternative suggests a forceful or abrupt encounter.

Faced

This alternative implies confronting a problem or challenge.

Experienced

This alternative is a more general term for encountering a situation or difficulty.

Stumbled upon

This alternative suggests a more accidental or serendipitous discovery.

Was confronted with

This alternative emphasizes the challenging aspect of the encounter.

Had an encounter with

This alternative is a more verbose way of saying "Ran into", maintaining a similar level of formality.

FAQs

How can I use "Ran into" in a sentence?

"Ran into" is used to describe an unexpected meeting or encounter. For example, "I ran into an old friend at the store" or "The project ran into unexpected delays".

What can I say instead of "Ran into"?

You can use alternatives like "bumped into", "came across", or "encountered" depending on the context.

Is "Ran into" appropriate for formal writing?

While widely understood, "Ran into" may be too informal for certain professional or academic contexts. Consider using "encountered" or "faced" for a more formal tone.

What's the difference between "Ran into" and "stumbled upon"?

"Ran into" generally implies a chance meeting or encountering a problem, while "stumbled upon" suggests discovering something accidentally or unexpectedly.