battery ran out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "battery ran out" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to talk about a device either running out of power or running out of the energy it needs to operate. For example: "My laptop's battery ran out just as I finished my essay."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

The battery ran out long before we spotted any wayward cat.

The New York Times - Tech

"Just tell him the battery ran out," the friend I was with said, perfectly reasonably.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

John Cusack plays one of the survivors whose phone battery ran out just before the terrible moment, and Samuel L Jackson is someone in the same boat.

The Guardian - Film

Twitter had its part to play at Latitude (Twatitude?) – up until the point my battery ran out, I was tweeting like a bastard.

The Guardian - Music

I spoke to her over the phone and she was crying, but then her battery ran out," said one father, weeping himself.

The Guardian

But with about 30 miles to go, the battery ran out and the Reaper was ditched in the sea, according to the Air Force's accident investigation report.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

And if you ever let the battery run out, all the data would disappear.

The Guardian - Tech

Battery running out and you're deep in the Cambodian jungle?

The Guardian - Travel

If the battery runs out, the bicycle reverts to pedal power only.

The New York Times - Travel

'I was surprised by how stylish and nippy the Nissan LEAF is' Will the battery run out really quickly?

Independent

The headphones have no standard jack, which means when the battery runs out, so does the music.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing technical documentation, specify the context in which the "battery ran out", such as usage conditions, battery type, and environmental factors. This provides readers with a clearer understanding of the situation.

Common error

Ensure that the subject is clear when using the phrase "battery ran out". For example, specify "the phone's battery ran out" rather than simply "the battery ran out" to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "battery ran out" functions as a statement indicating the depletion of a battery's power supply. It describes a completed action, signifying that the battery is no longer providing energy to a device. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "battery ran out" is a grammatically sound and commonly understood way to express that a battery has been fully discharged. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for use in written English. The phrase carries a neutral tone, making it appropriate across various contexts from news reports to technical documentation. While the frequency of use is not exceptionally high, it is consistent in conveying a clear and easily understandable message. When using this phrase, ensure the subject (whose battery) is well-defined to avoid confusion. Related alternatives include "battery died" and "battery depleted", offering options for slight variations in tone and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

battery depleted

Replaces the verb "ran out" with a more formal synonym, "depleted", emphasizing the complete consumption of the battery's energy.

battery was drained

Uses passive voice to describe the battery losing its charge, highlighting the process rather than the result.

battery died

Employs a more informal and direct expression, indicating the battery's failure to function due to lack of power.

battery lost its charge

Describes the battery's state of losing its capacity to store energy, focusing on the gradual reduction of power.

battery power exhausted

Formally indicates that the battery's energy supply has been fully used, emphasizing the complete absence of power.

battery ceased functioning

Indicates the battery stopped working because of lack of energy

battery went flat

Uses a colloquial expression to describe the battery becoming completely discharged and unable to provide power.

battery discharged completely

Stresses how the energy from the battery was fully released

battery reached zero percent

Describes the indicator of the power capacity going to the minimum value

battery shut down

Describes the system failing as result of energy depletion

FAQs

What does it mean when a battery runs out?

When a "battery ran out", it means that the battery has been fully discharged and can no longer supply power to the device it is connected to.

What can I say instead of "battery ran out"?

You can use alternatives like "battery died", "battery depleted", or "battery was drained" to express the same idea.

How can I prevent my battery from running out quickly?

To prevent your battery from running out quickly, reduce screen brightness, close unused apps, disable unnecessary features like Bluetooth and GPS, and enable power-saving mode.

Is it "battery ran out" or "battery runs out"? Which tense is correct?

"Battery ran out" is past tense, used to describe a completed event. "Battery runs out" is present tense, used to describe a habitual action. Choose the tense based on the context.