ran into problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ran into problem" is not correct in standard written English.
It should be "ran into a problem" or "ran into problems" to be grammatically accurate. Example: "While working on the project, we ran into a problem that delayed our progress."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And it ran into problem problems with the Securities and Exchange Commission over a misleading stock prospectus.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He ran into problems," Gyory told me.

The New Yorker

But they soon ran into problems.

The Guardian - Books

He also ran into problems with teammates.

The New York Times - Sports

Pretty soon, we ran into problems.

The Guardian - Opinion

But City Prep Academies immediately ran into problems.

The New York Times

Citigroup twice ran into problems with Japanese authorities.

The New York Times

He ran into problems in the fourth inning.

The New York Times - Sports

Even very good beer makers ran into problems.

The New York Times

It was launched last year but immediately ran into problems.

The Guardian - Business

But Giuliani's prosecution ran into problems almost immediately.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct article ('a' or 'an') or pluralize the noun after "ran into". For example, use "ran into a problem" or "ran into problems".

Common error

Ensure you include the article 'a' or pluralize the noun after "ran into". Omitting it, as in "ran into problem", is grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ran into problem" is grammatically incorrect. The correct usage requires an article or pluralization of the noun. Ludwig flags this as incorrect, suggesting the need for "ran into a problem" or "ran into problems".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ran into problem" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. As Ludwig AI points out, the correct usage is either "ran into a problem" (singular) or "ran into problems" (plural). While the phrase appears in some news and scientific sources, its incorrectness makes it unsuitable for professional or academic contexts. Alternatives like "encountered a problem" or "faced a challenge" are more appropriate for formal communication. Remember to always include the article 'a' or pluralize the noun for grammatical correctness. Using the corrected forms ensures clarity and professionalism in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Encountered a problem

Replaces the verb "ran into" with "encountered", offering a more formal tone.

Ran into an issue

Replaces "problem" with "issue", suggesting a less severe difficulty.

Faced a challenge

Substitutes "problem" with "challenge", suggesting a situation that requires effort to overcome.

Ran into complications

Expresses a series of interconnected problems arose.

Experienced difficulties

Replaces "problem" with the plural "difficulties", implying a broader set of issues.

Met with an obstacle

Uses "met with" instead of "ran into" and "obstacle" instead of "problem", indicating a hindrance.

Confronted a setback

Replaces "problem" with "setback", implying a temporary delay or reversal in progress.

Hit a snag

Employs the idiom "hit a snag", which means encountering an unexpected difficulty.

Stumbled upon a complication

Uses a more descriptive and slightly more formal way of expressing encountering a problem.

Ran afoul of a hurdle

A more figurative way of expressing that you met a barrier on your way.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say "ran into problem"?

The grammatically correct versions are "ran into a problem" (singular) or "ran into problems" (plural).

What does "ran into a problem" mean?

It means you encountered or experienced a difficulty or issue unexpectedly.

What can I say instead of "ran into a problem"?

You can use alternatives like "encountered a problem", "faced a challenge", or "experienced difficulties".

Is "ran into problem" grammatically correct?

No, "ran into problem" is grammatically incorrect. The correct forms are "ran into a problem" or "ran into problems".