ran into these two

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ran into these two" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an unexpected encounter with two people. Example: "While I was out shopping, I ran into these two friends I hadn't seen in years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

On the way there we ran into these two.

Vice

There was absolutely no way I was getting backstage, but I ran into these two who were absolutely stunning.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Back downstairs, I ran into these four.

Vice

Managed currency bands or current account targets would run into these two problems.

The Economist

And one night I ran into two or three dishes whose flavors seemed to be napping, including a fried egg salad and even a papaya salad.

The New York Times - Food

At my building I ran into two neighbors, one of whom was walking a three-legged dog.

The New York Times

"If I ran into five or six good songs, I would make another.

The Guardian - Music

Mr. Breslin said the artist fees for these concerts will run into the six figures for the two principals but declined to say how the money would be split.

The New York Times - Arts

The growth of fundamentalist churches has been particularly noticeable since independence, and the government of the newly independent country soon ran into conflict with two of these, the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Lumpa church.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We ran into two problems in hardware.

Cornell University

He said he ran into two men on the Baldwin River.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ran into these two" to describe a casual, unexpected meeting with two people. It works well in narratives or informal communication to add a personal touch.

Common error

Avoid using "ran into these two" in formal or professional writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "encountered" or "met unexpectedly" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ran into these two" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an unexpected encounter. Ludwig AI shows it's often used in narratives to describe unplanned meetings. It sets a casual tone and is easily understood.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ran into these two" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an unplanned meeting with two people. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's generally used in informal contexts, particularly in narratives and casual conversation. While versatile, it's best to avoid using it in more formal settings. Consider alternatives like "encountered these two" or "met unexpectedly" for professional communications. The frequency of this phrase is uncommon but understandable in certain informal context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stumbled upon these two

Replaces "ran into" with "stumbled upon", emphasizing the accidental nature of the meeting.

bumped into these two

Similar to "ran into", but uses "bumped into" for a casual tone.

came across these two

Uses "came across" to indicate an unexpected discovery or meeting.

happened to meet these two

Uses "happened to meet" to highlight the chance encounter.

chanced upon these two

Uses "chanced upon" to convey the fortuitous nature of the meeting.

encountered these two

Employs a more formal term, "encountered", for a similar meaning.

met these two unexpectedly

Adds "unexpectedly" to emphasize the surprise element of the meeting.

found myself meeting these two

Highlights the speaker's perspective of the unexpected meeting.

discovered these two

Implies a sense of finding or discovering the people.

collided with these two

Uses "collided with" to suggest a more forceful or abrupt encounter.

FAQs

What does "ran into these two" mean?

The phrase "ran into these two" means you unexpectedly met or encountered two people. It implies a casual and unplanned meeting.

What can I say instead of "ran into these two"?

You can use alternatives like "stumbled upon these two", "came across these two", or "happened to meet these two" depending on the context.

Is "ran into these two" formal or informal?

"Ran into these two" is generally considered informal. In more formal settings, consider using "encountered these two" or "met unexpectedly".

How do I use "ran into these two" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "While I was at the store, I "ran into these two" friends from high school."