ran out

USAGE SUMMARY

"ran out" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase to describe when something has been emptied of its contents or has been depleted. For example: "We ran out of cookies, so we had to make a special batch for dessert."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His money ran out.

The New York Times

But the money ran out.

The New York Times

Then the money ran out.

The New York Times

Then his luck ran out.

The New York Times - Sports

Eventually his luck ran out.

Independent

The juice ran out early.

Columbia University

Then the money ran out, the cocaine ran out.

The New Yorker

"Everybody just ran out".

The New York Times

He ran out again.

The New York Times

This week even that skill ran out.

The Economist

They soon ran out of virgin land.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ran out" to indicate a complete depletion, not just a temporary shortage. For a temporary shortage, consider "running low".

Common error

Avoid using "ran out" when you mean something is nearly depleted but not completely gone. "We almost ran out of gas" is correct if there's a small amount left; "We ran out of gas" means the tank is empty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ran out" functions as a phrasal verb, specifically the simple past tense of "run out". It describes the action of something being completely used, depleted, or exhausted. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ran out" is a common and correct phrasal verb used to describe the depletion of something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with usage spanning from formal business documents to academic papers. Related phrases include "was depleted" and "was exhausted". When using "ran out", clarity is crucial; ensure the context makes it clear what exactly was depleted. Avoid confusing it with "almost ran out", which indicates a near-depletion rather than a complete one.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was all gone

A simple and direct way of stating that something is completely finished or consumed.

was used up

A more passive way of saying something was completely consumed or utilized.

was depleted

Focuses on the state of being emptied or reduced significantly.

gave out

Suggests a failure or cessation of function due to depletion or exhaustion.

was exhausted

Implies a complete consumption or using up of something, often resources or supplies.

came to an end

Shifts the focus to the termination or conclusion of something, rather than its depletion.

dwindled away

Emphasizes a gradual reduction to nothing, often used for resources or supplies.

reached its limit

Highlights the attainment of a maximum capacity or duration.

ceased to exist

Indicates a complete disappearance or termination of something.

suffered a shortage

Emphasizes the lack or insufficient quantity of something needed.

FAQs

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

You can use "ran out" to indicate that something has been completely used or depleted, as in, "We "ran out" of milk, so I went to the store".

What is a more formal way to say "ran out"?

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases like "was depleted", "was exhausted", or "was completely consumed" instead of ""ran out"".

What's the difference between "ran out of" and "almost ran out of"?

"Ran out of" means there is none left, while "almost "ran out of"" indicates that there was very little left but not completely empty.

What are some situations where it's common to say that you "ran out" of something?

It's common to say you ""ran out"" of time, money, ideas, or supplies. For example, "We "ran out" of time to finish the project".