had run away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'had run away' is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is typically used in the past perfect tense. For example: "The little girl had run away before anyone noticed she was gone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Landlords had run away.

The New York Times

Their father had run away.

The New Yorker

The district police officer had run away.

The New York Times

And Alpha had run away with Echo.

The Guardian

By age 12 she had run away.

The New York Times

He had run away, in his fashion.

The New Yorker

I had run away, so I was happy!

The New Yorker

The police initially thought they had run away.

The New York Times

Origins: My father had run away to sea.

The New York Times

He had run away from a dream and encountered possibility.

The New Yorker

They might even think that she had run away.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had run away" to clearly indicate that the act of running away happened before another point in the past. For example, "By the time the police arrived, the suspect had run away."

Common error

Avoid using "had run away" when the simple past tense "ran away" is sufficient. "Had run away" is necessary only when establishing a sequence of past events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had run away" functions as a past perfect verb phrase, indicating an action of fleeing or escaping that was completed before another action or time in the past. Ludwig provides numerous examples to demonstrate its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had run away" is a grammatically sound and frequently used past perfect verb phrase used to describe the action of fleeing or escaping that occurred before another point in time. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage and provides numerous examples from reputable sources, mainly from News & Media. When writing, remember that the context dictates the use of "had run away" over the simple past "ran away". Consider the related phrases like "had fled" or "had absconded" to add nuance to your writing. Overall, "had run away" is a versatile and well-understood phrase in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had fled

Implies a more urgent or fearful departure than "had run away".

had escaped

Focuses on breaking free from confinement or a dangerous situation.

had bolted

Implies a sudden and rapid departure, often due to fear or surprise.

had absconded

Suggests a secret or illegal departure, often involving taking something of value.

had made off

Suggests a quick and often secretive departure, sometimes implying theft.

had deserted

Indicates abandonment of a duty, post, or responsibility.

had slipped away

Suggests a discreet or unnoticed departure.

had taken flight

Offers a more literary or figurative way of expressing a sudden departure.

had left abruptly

Highlights the suddenness and unexpected nature of the departure.

had disappeared

Simply states that someone or something is no longer present, without specifying the reason.

FAQs

How is "had run away" used in a sentence?

The phrase "had run away" indicates that the action of running away happened before another action in the past. For example, "She "had run away" before her parents realized she was missing."

What are some alternatives to "had run away"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "had fled", "had escaped", or "had absconded". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "had ran away" instead of "had run away"?

No, "had ran away" is grammatically incorrect. The past participle of "run" is "run", so the correct form is ""had run away"".

What is the difference between "ran away" and "had run away"?

"Ran away" is in the simple past tense and describes an action that happened in the past. "Had run away" is in the past perfect tense, indicating that the action happened before another point in the past. For example, "He ran away yesterday" vs. "He "had run away" before the police arrived".