ran into

USAGE SUMMARY

"ran into" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which two or more people, objects, animals, or other things have come into contact with one another. For example, "I was walking down the street when I ran into an old friend from high school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I ran into walls.

The New York Times

Obama ran into it.

Independent

She ran into success.

The New Yorker

This ran into trouble.

Independent

Recently, we ran into turbulence.

The New York Times

Then I ran into ED.

The New York Times

I ran into similar issues.

The New York Times

I ran into her there.

The New York Times

Few ran into serious trouble.

The Economist

Lance actually ran into me".

The New York Times - Sports

"You ran into hell.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ran into" to describe casual, unplanned meetings or encounters. It adds a natural, conversational tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "ran into" in formal or professional contexts where a more formal alternative like "encountered" or "met unexpectedly" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ran into" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, combining the verb "run" with the preposition "into" to create a new meaning. Ludwig AI confirms it as a correct and usable phrase. It describes the action of meeting someone or something unexpectedly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

18%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ran into" is a common and generally accepted phrasal verb used to describe an unplanned or unexpected encounter, as verified by Ludwig AI. Grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, it is especially prevalent in news and media, as well as more informal settings. While highly versatile, it is less suited for formal or professional communication, where alternatives like "encountered" or "met unexpectedly" are preferred. When using "ran into", remember that it is ideal for adding a conversational tone, but avoid it in situations requiring a formal register. The most authoritative sources using this phrase are The New York Times, The Economist, and The New Yorker.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bumped into

Informal, implies a casual and often physical encounter.

met unexpectedly

Emphasizes the unplanned nature of the meeting.

came across

Indicates finding something or someone without actively searching.

happened upon

Similar to 'came across', but slightly more formal.

encountered

Formal alternative, suggesting a meeting that may or may not have been accidental.

chanced upon

Emphasizes the element of chance in the encounter.

collided with

Suggests a forceful or problematic encounter, not always physical.

stumbled upon

Implies a discovery or unexpected finding, can be used metaphorically.

found oneself facing

More formal, suggests confrontation or dealing with a situation.

was confronted with

Highlights a challenge or obstacle encountered.

FAQs

What does "ran into" mean?

The phrase "ran into" typically means to meet someone or something unexpectedly or by chance.

How can I use "ran into" in a sentence?

You can use "ran into" to describe an unplanned meeting, such as "I "bumped into" my old friend at the grocery store".

What can I say instead of "ran into"?

Alternatives to "ran into" include "encountered", "came across", or "met unexpectedly".

Is "ran into" formal or informal?

"Ran into" is generally considered an informal phrase suitable for casual conversation and writing. For more formal settings, alternatives like "encountered" might be more appropriate.