ran down the steps

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ran down the steps" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone moving quickly down a staircase. Example: "She was in such a hurry that she ran down the steps two at a time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Then she ran down the steps into the station.

The New Yorker

The Van Dykes ran down the steps, got in their vans, and drove away.

The New Yorker

Three or four guys ran down the steps and pulled him back.

Independent

She gently opened the front door and ran down the steps and around the side of the house.

The New Yorker

Then swiftly and gracefully he ran down the steps and sped across the arena, a trail of blue smoke behind him, and further up a great stairway to a platform halfway at the top, where stood a small black altar.

The New York Times

Eventually, the police decided to drop the charges, and five women including Tolokonnikova and Alyokhina pulled on brightly coloured balaclavas and ran down the steps, singing: 'Putin will teach you to love the motherland'.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Running down the basement steps, I heard the cluster bombs exploding again.

The Guardian - Arts

He urged her to get home quickly to her ill mother but not to run down the court steps as people do in the movies.

The New York Times

"If you run down the steps, then the person in front of you may break their arm," said Tiffany Morel.

The New York Times

Melvin, who was sitting in the back of the auditorium, was thrilled, and remembers running down the steps and hugging her, despite her protestations.

Harvard University

NO RUNNING I have an arthritic knee so I can't run down the steps of City Hall after a politician anymore.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's movement, consider the context and emotional state to choose a verb that accurately reflects their speed and intention. Verbs like "dashed", "hurried", or "sprinted" can add nuance to the simple action of running.

Common error

Avoid always using "ran" when describing movement down stairs. Varying your verb choice adds depth and precision to your writing. For example, using "scampered" suggests agility, while "plunged" suggests recklessness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ran down the steps" functions as a verbal phrase describing an action. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness for conveying movement. It indicates the manner in which someone is descending a staircase or set of steps.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

16%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ran down the steps" is a grammatically sound and understandable phrase that describes the action of quickly descending a staircase. Ludwig confirms its proper usage and it is most frequently found in News & Media sources. While correct, varying your verb choice (e.g., "dashed down the stairs", "hurried down the steps") can improve the descriptiveness and engagement of your writing. It is a neutral expression and can be appropriate for different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dashed down the stairs

Replaces "steps" with "stairs" and "ran" with "dashed", emphasizing speed and urgency.

sprinted down the steps

Replaces "ran" with "sprinted", implying a full-speed run.

raced down the steps

Replaces "ran" with "raced", suggesting a competitive or very fast descent.

rushed down the steps

Replaces "ran" with "rushed", emphasizing the urgency or haste of the movement.

hurried down the steps

Substitutes "ran" with "hurried", indicating quick but not necessarily frantic movement.

bolted down the steps

Replaces "ran" with "bolted", suggesting a sudden and rapid movement, often due to fear or excitement.

scampered down the steps

Substitutes "ran" with "scampered", suggesting a quick and light-footed descent.

fled down the steps

Replaces "ran" with "fled", implying that the person is escaping or running away from something.

descended the steps quickly

Replaces "ran down" with "descended quickly", offering a more formal and descriptive alternative.

trotted down the steps

Substitutes "ran" with "trotted", suggesting a steady and unhurried descent.

FAQs

What does "ran down the steps" mean?

The phrase "ran down the steps" describes the action of moving quickly downwards using one's legs on a set of steps or stairs.

What can I say instead of "ran down the steps"?

You can use alternatives like "dashed down the stairs", "hurried down the steps", or "sprinted down the steps" depending on the context.

Is "ran down the steps" formal or informal?

The phrase "ran down the steps" is considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

How can I add more detail when saying someone "ran down the steps"?

You can add more detail by describing the manner of running, such as "ran clumsily down the steps" or "ran silently down the steps", or by specifying the type of steps, such as "ran down the wooden steps".