he ran into

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he ran into" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe an unexpected encounter with someone or something. Example: "While walking through the park, he ran into an old friend he hadn't seen in years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He ran into problems," Gyory told me.

The New Yorker

Eventually he ran into the kitchen.

The New Yorker

In both cases, he ran into Federer.

The New York Times - Sports

He ran into El Quijote, a Spanish restaurant.

The New Yorker

But he ran into a clever defense.

The New York Times - Arts

"He ran into me when I stopped.

The New York Times - Sports

He ran into a friend of his.

The New Yorker

Occasionally he ran into other human beings.

The New York Times - Arts

He ran into serious trouble almost immediately.

The New Yorker

That is when he ran into trouble.

The New York Times

"He ran into the bushes," Aziz recalled, laughing.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he ran into" to describe brief, often unplanned encounters with people or obstacles. For more formal situations, consider alternatives like "he encountered".

Common error

Avoid using "he ran into" when you mean to say "he went into" a place. "Ran into" implies an accidental meeting or obstacle, not simply entering a location.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he ran into" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating an unexpected encounter or collision. As Ludwig confirms, this usage is correct and common. It frequently appears in narratives to describe a character's chance meeting or unforeseen difficulty. For instance, "He ran into trouble" suggests an unexpected problem arose.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he ran into" is a versatile phrasal verb primarily used to describe unexpected encounters or the experience of facing difficulties. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "he encountered" or "he bumped into" exist, "he ran into" offers a succinct and relatable way to convey chance meetings or unforeseen obstacles. Remember to use it correctly to imply an unplanned meeting or problem, not simply entering a place.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he encountered

Replaces "ran into" with a more formal verb, suggesting a chance meeting or confrontation.

he bumped into

Similar meaning, but suggests a more accidental or physical encounter.

he met unexpectedly

Emphasizes the surprise aspect of the meeting.

he collided with

Implies a more forceful or problematic encounter.

he came across

Indicates finding something or someone by chance.

he stumbled upon

Similar to 'came across' but suggests a less direct search or expectation.

he had an encounter with

More formal and general way of saying 'ran into'.

he faced

Focuses on confronting a challenge or opponent.

he found himself facing

Highlights the unexpected nature of the confrontation.

he was confronted by

Highlights the act of being opposed or challenged.

FAQs

What does "he ran into" mean?

The phrase "he ran into" typically means he encountered someone or something unexpectedly. It can also imply he faced a problem or obstacle.

What can I say instead of "he ran into"?

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

Is it correct to say "he run into"?

No, the correct past tense form is "he ran into". "Run" is the base form, and "ran" is the past tense.

How is "he ran into" different from "he went into"?

"He ran into" implies an unexpected encounter or problem, while "he went into" simply means he entered a place. For example, "he ran into an old friend" versus "he went into the store".