ran it by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ran it by" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has shared an idea or plan with another person for their opinion or approval. Example: "Before making a final decision, I want to run it by my manager to get her feedback."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Communication

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

This week, my speed's been a little bit erratic, as you see on 18, a couple of holes where I left it short or ran it by". Asked of his chances for Sunday, Woods pointed to Paul Lawrie's 10-shot rally to win the 1999 British Open -- the biggest final-round comeback in a major championship.

The New York Times - Sports

My solicitors ran it by me.

The Guardian - Sport

When she came up with it, she ran it by two people.

The New York Times

But I must have known this was risky enough that I ran it by Eugene.

The New Yorker

"And when Frank died I ran it by myself for a while, which was fine.

The New York Times

"What the hell is that?" Baehrel said, when I ran it by him.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

I want to run it by you".

The New York Times

I'll work on it and run it by you.

Harvard Business Review

"I have to run it by Chef Masa," he said.

The New Yorker

We'll have to run it by illegal".

The New Yorker

Make sure you run it by O'Dowd, Kellyly said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for an audience unfamiliar with colloquial language, consider using more formal alternatives like "consulted with" or "discussed with" to ensure clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "ran it by" in highly formal or professional documents, such as legal contracts or academic papers. Opt for more formal synonyms to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ran it by" functions as a phrasal verb indicating the act of presenting an idea, plan, or document to someone for their review, feedback, or approval. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ran it by" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone has presented an idea or plan to another person for feedback or approval. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally considered neutral to informal, it's important to consider the formality of the context and choose more appropriate synonyms, such as "consulted with" or "discussed with", in professional or academic settings. Remember to be mindful of your audience and the overall tone of your writing to ensure clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Checked with

Emphasizes verifying information or seeking confirmation from someone.

Consulted with

Highlights a more formal and deliberate process of seeking expert advice or opinion.

Discussed with

Focuses on a conversation and exchange of ideas regarding a particular matter.

Got the okay from

Implies seeking permission or approval before proceeding.

Sought approval from

Stresses the act of formally requesting and obtaining consent.

Sounded out

Involves cautiously exploring someone's opinion or reaction to an idea.

Briefed

Highlights providing someone with essential information, often in a concise manner.

Informed

Simply means to have given someone knowledge of something.

Presented to

Suggests a formal sharing of information or a proposal for consideration.

Shared with

General term for letting someone know about something.

FAQs

What does "ran it by" mean?

"Ran it by" means to present an idea, plan, or piece of information to someone for their feedback, approval, or consideration. It's a common way to say you sought someone's opinion before proceeding.

How can I use "ran it by" in a sentence?

You can use "ran it by" in sentences like: "I "ran it by" my boss before sending out the email." or "She "ran it by" her team to get their input".

What can I say instead of "ran it by"?

You can use alternatives like "consulted with", "discussed with", or "sought approval from" depending on the context.

Is "ran it by" formal or informal?

"Ran it by" is generally considered an informal phrase. In formal or professional contexts, it's better to use more formal alternatives like "consulted with" or "presented to".