ran into each other

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ran into each other" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to accidentally meet or encounter someone, often in unexpected circumstances. Example: "I ran into my old high school friend at the grocery store yesterday. We chatted for a while and caught up on each other's lives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We never ran into each other".

The New York Times

Crystal and Jeter ran into each other at a hotel.

The New York Times - Sports

Wouldn't it be funny if we "ran" into each other?

The New Yorker

It wasn't long before they ran into each other.

The New York Times

The two ran into each other during pregame warm-ups.

The New York Times - Sports

They ran into each other again a few years later.

The New York Times

The two ran into each other in Madrid soon afterward.

The New York Times

The pair ran into each other three years ago at a charity backpack giveaway.

The Washington Post

A few years later, in 1999, they ran into each other and that was that.

The New York Times

Two interesting people ran into each other on the street today in Washington.

The Guardian

The players ran into each other and Lara clutched his left arm in agony.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotations. "Ran into each other" can suggest a casual, friendly meeting, or a more consequential collision, depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "ran into each other" when describing a pre-arranged meeting. This phrase implies spontaneity, so using it in a planned context can sound awkward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ran into each other" functions as an idiomatic expression. It describes an unplanned or unexpected meeting between two or more people. Ludwig AI confirms that is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ran into each other" is a common and grammatically correct idiomatic expression used to describe an unplanned meeting. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is frequently found in News & Media, signifying its widespread use in describing chance encounters. While the phrase is generally neutral, it's important to consider context to avoid misinterpreting the intended meaning. Alternatives like "bumped into each other" or "met by chance" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

happened to meet

Highlights the accidental and unplanned nature of the meeting.

unexpectedly met

Directly states that the meeting was not planned or anticipated.

met by chance

Focuses on the serendipitous nature of the meeting.

bumped into each other

Implies a slightly more accidental and physical encounter.

crossed paths

A metaphorical way of saying they met, often implying a brief or fleeting encounter.

chanced upon each other

Similar to "met by chance" but slightly more old-fashioned.

stumbled upon one another

Suggests a chance meeting that might have been slightly awkward or unexpected.

encountered each other unexpectedly

A more formal and descriptive way of saying "ran into each other".

serendipitously encountered

A more sophisticated way to describe a fortunate and unplanned meeting.

collided with each other

Emphasizes a more forceful or impactful meeting, either literally or figuratively.

FAQs

What does it mean to say that two people "ran into each other"?

It means that two people met unexpectedly or by chance. It implies the meeting was not planned.

What's a more formal way to say "ran into each other"?

A more formal alternative would be "encountered each other unexpectedly" or "met by chance".

Can "ran into each other" be used in a negative context?

Yes, although it often implies a friendly meeting, it can also describe a more negative or problematic encounter, depending on the surrounding context. For example, "The protesters ran into each other with police" implies a conflict.

Is there a difference between "bumped into each other" and "ran into each other"?

While similar, "bumped into each other" often suggests a more physical, accidental collision, while "ran into each other" can be used more generally for any unexpected meeting.