ran out of strength

USAGE SUMMARY

"ran out of strength" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means that someone has lost their physical or mental energy. Example: After running a marathon, I ran out of strength and had to take a break.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Last year, I felt like I fell short at the end, I ran out of strength and energy," Gasol said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

They soon ran out of virgin land.

The New Yorker

Running out of steam.

The Economist

Running out of runners.

Los Angeles Times

"We were running out of strength".

The New Yorker

A second group included the German trio of Marcel Kittel, André Greipel – who could be seen trying to stay with the leaders and running out of strength – and John Degenkolb, while the Swiss had also missed out.

The Guardian - Sport

Our strength is running out because of them.

The New York Times

They played to their strengths but at the critical point of the season their luck ran out – and so did their good form.

The Guardian - Sport

But in a country that ran out of money in 1991, India's reserves are both a comforting cushion and a badge of recent economic strength.

The Economist

We ran out of legs.

Independent

"Just ran out of gas".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ran out of strength" when you want to emphasize a depletion of physical or mental energy, often after a period of exertion or stress. It's suitable for describing a temporary state of exhaustion.

Common error

Avoid using "ran out of strength" when describing a lack of motivation or willpower that isn't tied to a specific physical or mental exertion. Instead, opt for phrases like "lost motivation" or "gave up" if the context is not related to energy depletion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ran out of strength" functions as a verb phrase indicating the depletion or exhaustion of one's physical or mental power. As Ludwig AI points out, it describes a state where someone has lost their capacity to exert force or energy. The examples in Ludwig show its use in describing physical exhaustion after exertion.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ran out of strength" is a verb phrase used to describe the depletion of physical or mental energy. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage in writing. While the phrase appears across various contexts, it is most prevalent in news and media sources. When using this phrase, ensure that the context involves a genuine depletion of energy and not simply a lack of motivation. Alternatives such as "became exhausted" or "lost stamina" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Be mindful of avoiding misuse in abstract situations that require different terminology.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had no energy left

Directly states the absence of energy.

became exhausted

Emphasizes a state of extreme tiredness and depletion.

felt drained

Describes the sensation of having one's energy completely depleted.

was completely worn out

Highlights the extent of the exhaustion.

lost stamina

Focuses more on endurance and the ability to sustain physical activity.

lost power

Similar to strength, but can apply to physical or metaphorical power.

couldn't go on

Focuses on the inability to continue due to lack of strength.

reached the limit

Highlights the point at which one's capacity is fully used.

reached breaking point

Highlights being at the limit to perform an action because of lack of energy

collapsed from fatigue

Emphasizes a more severe and sudden loss of strength due to tiredness.

FAQs

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

You can use "ran out of strength" to describe a state of exhaustion after physical or mental exertion, such as, "After the marathon, I "ran out of strength" and needed to rest."

What is a good alternative to "ran out of strength"?

Alternatives include "became exhausted", "lost stamina", or "had no energy left", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "run out of strength" instead of "ran out of strength"?

"Run out of strength" is the base form, while ""ran out of strength"" is the past tense. Use ""ran out of strength"" when referring to a past event.

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

"Ran out of strength" typically refers to physical or mental exhaustion, while "ran out of steam" often implies a loss of enthusiasm or momentum in a project or activity.