ran after him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ran after him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone pursuing another person, typically in a physical sense, such as chasing or following quickly. Example: "When he saw his friend leaving the party, he quickly ran after him to say goodbye."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I ran after him.

The New York Times

I ran after him, down the stairs.

The New Yorker

Four children ran after him.

The New York Times

She ran after him, feeling like a "complete idiot".

The New Yorker

Because Matic got up immediately and ran after him.

Independent

Becky ran after him, a stupid thing to do.

The New Yorker

She got to her feet and ran after him.

The New Yorker

"We ran after him, but he just carried on".

The Guardian

People ran after him & he was so badly beaten that he died later in a hospital.

The New Yorker

"It was adorable that she ran after him, but you never know.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

While running after him.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ran after him" to clearly convey the action of pursuing someone immediately. It is straightforward and easily understood in most contexts.

Common error

While generally acceptable, "ran after him" might sound too informal for very formal or academic writing. Consider more sophisticated alternatives like "pursued him" or "followed him in haste" in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ran after him" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating an action of pursuit. It describes someone physically following another person, often with the intention of catching them or reaching them quickly. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ran after him" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for describing the act of pursuing someone. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in register, consider more formal alternatives for highly academic writing. Related phrases include "chased him" and "pursued him". When using this phrase, ensure that it aligns with the tense of your sentence and that it accurately reflects the urgency or intent of the pursuit being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chased him

Emphasizes a more forceful or determined pursuit.

pursued him

Suggests a more formal and persistent effort to catch up.

followed him closely

Highlights proximity and immediate succession in movement.

sprinted after him

Specifies a very fast pace in the pursuit.

raced after him

Similar to 'sprinted', emphasizing speed and competition.

went after him

A more general term indicating pursuit or following.

gave chase

Idiomatic expression emphasizing the act of pursuing someone.

hurried after him

Indicates a quickened pace to follow, but not necessarily running.

trotted after him

Suggests a light, quick run to follow someone.

hastened after him

Implies a sense of urgency in following.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "ran after him"?

You can use alternatives like "chased him", "pursued him", or "followed him closely" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "run after him" instead of "ran after him"?

No, "run after him" is grammatically incorrect in most contexts where you're describing a past action. "Ran after him" is the past tense and therefore the correct form for describing an action that has already occurred.

What is the difference between "ran after him" and "chased after him"?

The phrases "ran after him" and "chased after him" are very similar, but "chased after him" often implies a more determined or intense pursuit.

How to use "ran after him" in a sentence?

You can use "ran after him" in a sentence like this: "When he grabbed her purse, she immediately ran after him."