almost ran out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "almost ran out" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where something was nearly depleted or used up. Example: I almost ran out of gas on my way to work this morning.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

So much that we almost ran out and ordered more.

The Washington Post

But Mr. Mercer's luck almost ran out on Oct. 17, when he was driving a Mazda Miata in dense traffic on Interstate 880.

The New York Times

It's shiny with a metal casing and it 'feels so good in my hands' that I almost ran out with it in my pocket.

TechCrunch

As for those mustaches — the company almost ran out, as it's been adding drivers more quickly than its supplier could keep up, Zimmer tells me.

TechCrunch

When mine almost ran out too, I learned that sometimes you've got to slow down.

Huffington Post

He almost ran out of breath there.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

We've almost run out".

The New Yorker

Now, time has almost run out on the G.O.P. candidate.

The New Yorker

Her meals had almost run out, she said.

The Guardian

"There comes a point when you almost run out of steam".

The New York Times

Mattingly said time has almost run out to discuss a new contract.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "almost ran out", be specific about what resource or item was nearly depleted to provide clarity and context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "almost ran out" when the resource is completely depleted. Instead, use phrases like "completely ran out" or "entirely used up" to accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost ran out" functions as a verb phrase indicating a near completion of an action, specifically the depletion or exhaustion of something. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

14%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Science

14%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "almost ran out" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to indicate that a resource or supply was close to being completely depleted. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. To ensure clarity, specify what resource was nearly depleted, and avoid using it if the resource is entirely exhausted. Instead, alternative phrases like "nearly exhausted" or "on the verge of running out" can offer subtle differences in emphasis. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication, but understanding its communicative purpose ensures accurate and effective writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the verge of running out

Emphasizes the imminence of complete exhaustion.

virtually out of

Indicates a state of being nearly without something.

nearly exhausted

Focuses on the state of being close to complete depletion.

practically gone

Emphasizes that something is in very short supply.

nearing depletion

Similar to "nearly exhausted" but emphasizes the process of becoming depleted.

close to depletion

Highlights the proximity to a state of being completely used up.

about to be used up

Focuses on the impending event of something being fully consumed.

close to empty

Indicates that something is nearly devoid of its contents.

scarcely any left

Highlights the limited quantity remaining.

in short supply

Focuses on the scarcity of something, implying near exhaustion.

FAQs

How can I use "almost ran out" in a sentence?

You can use "almost ran out" to describe a situation where you were close to depleting a resource. For example, "I almost ran out of gas on the way to work."

What's a good alternative to "almost ran out"?

Alternatives include phrases like "nearly exhausted", "on the verge of running out", or "virtually out of", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "almost run out" instead of "almost ran out"?

While "almost run out" can be grammatically correct in some contexts (e.g., with a helping verb like 'have'), "almost ran out" is generally used in the past tense to describe a completed action of nearly depleting something.

What's the difference between "almost ran out" and "completely ran out"?

"Almost ran out" means you nearly exhausted the supply but didn't entirely, while "completely ran out" means there is none left.