Run early

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Run early" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to suggest starting a task or activity ahead of the scheduled time. Example: "To avoid traffic, it's best to run early in the morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Hackett later said he might have tried to run early in the third quarter.

The New York Times - Sports

Many firms run early insight programmes and open days; attend as many of those as possible.

The Guardian

Poly Prep quarterback Christopher Legree had a 5-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.

The New York Times - Sports

To Honor and Serve, a son of Bernardini, broke with Shackleford and seemed too keen to run early.

The New York Times - Sports

Juggling work and family, I often run early in the morning or around 10 p.m. on weekdays.

The New York Times - Sports

Michael Smith ran for 157 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a 63-yard scoring run early in the third quarter.

The New York Times - Sports

He had a run of 26 yards, then a 10-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.

The New York Times - Sports

Oregon caught up each time, then went ahead, 35-28, on Thomas's 64-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter.

The New York Times - Sports

The commercials are being scheduled to run early in the first quarter and late in the fourth quarter, said Barb Rechterman, chief marketing officer of GoDaddy.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Clinton has indicated that she is likely to announce her decision on whether to run early next year.

The Guardian

The University of Hong Kong is planning for the second installment of the corporate directorship program, which is expected to run early next year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "run early" in the context of scheduling events, ensure the context clearly indicates that the activity is intentionally starting ahead of the original plan. For example, "The meeting will "run early" to accommodate another session."

Common error

Avoid using "run early" when you simply mean "start on time". The phrase implies that an activity is beginning or ending sooner than previously expected, not just adhering to the schedule. Instead of "The train will "run early"", say "The train will depart on time."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "run early" typically functions as a verb phrase, indicating that something is happening or progressing ahead of schedule or earlier than expected. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sports

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Health and Place

4%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "run early" is a commonly used verb phrase that indicates something is happening or progressing ahead of schedule. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Sports contexts. When writing, ensure the context clearly demonstrates the activity is starting ahead of the original plan, and avoid using it when you simply mean "start on time". Alternatives include "start ahead of schedule" or "begin in advance".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Start ahead of schedule

Emphasizes beginning an activity before the planned time.

Begin in advance

Highlights commencing something prior to the expected timeframe.

Get an early start

Focuses on initiating an activity at the beginning or before the usual time.

Commence prematurely

Suggests starting something before it is fully ready or due.

Initiate beforehand

Stresses the act of starting something before a specific event or time.

Launch sooner

Implies initiating a project or endeavor earlier than anticipated.

Move forward expeditiously

Indicates a rapid and early advancement or progression.

Pre-empt the usual timing

Suggests acting before the conventional or expected moment.

Expedite the process

Focuses on accelerating a process to start earlier.

Advance the timeline

Emphasizes shifting the schedule to an earlier point in time.

FAQs

How can I use "run early" in a sentence?

You can use "run early" to indicate that something is happening or being performed before the expected or scheduled time. For example, "The project is expected to "finish ahead of schedule" and should "run early"." Or "To avoid the crowds, try to "run early" in the morning."

What does "run early" mean in the context of a program or event?

In the context of a program or event, "run early" typically means that the event is proceeding faster than planned and will likely finish before the scheduled end time. For example, "The conference is "running early", so we'll have an extended coffee break."

What are some alternatives to "run early"?

Some alternatives to "run early" include "start ahead of schedule", "begin in advance", or "get an early start", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "run early" or "start early"?

Both "run early" and "start early" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Start early" generally refers to beginning an activity before the scheduled time. "Run early" usually means an event or process is progressing more quickly than anticipated. For instance, the program will "run early".