ran over

USAGE SUMMARY

"ran over" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe an action of quickly moving past something. For example: The bicyclist ran over the leaves on the sidewalk.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I ran over and saw two people.

The New York Times

"Arrivo!" Rowher ran over from the house.

The New Yorker

Another protester ran over and ripped up the poster.

The New York Times

Young boys ran over to look.

Vice

She ran over, shamed, near tears, at her clumsiness.

Huffington Post

I ran over and watched the rescue efforts.

Vice

Make it look like it got ran over!

WikiHow

Veterans just ran over them.

The New York Times - Sports

He ran over my father".

The New Yorker

The film ran over spools.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"But then another fisherman ran over.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a car accident in a narrative context, "ran over" is highly effective for conveying impact, but ensure you distinguish between the driver and the vehicle as the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "ran over" when the action is currently happening or habitually occurs; use 'runs over' or 'is running over' instead. Furthermore, be careful with the object of the phrase; saying 'I ran over the bridge' implies movement across it, while 'I ran over the bicycle' implies a collision. Context is key to avoiding this ambiguity.

How to use

Learn how to use "ran over" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

As the simple past tense of the phrasal verb 'run over', "ran over" functions as a dynamic action verb. Ludwig indicates it can be used transitively (with an object, like a car hitting something) or intransitively (to describe movement toward a point).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

6%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ran over" is a highly versatile and essential phrasal verb in the English language. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness across a wide spectrum of meanings: from describing a tragic vehicular accident to a simple act of hurrying toward a friend or even a meeting that lasted too long. Because it is the past tense of 'run over', it is strictly used for completed actions. High-authority sources like The New York Times and The Guardian use it frequently, which highlights its reliability for both journalistic and creative writing. When using it, always ensure the context clarifies whether you are referring to a physical collision or a mental review to avoid potential ambiguity for your readers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hit with a vehicle

Provides a more clinical and specific description of a traffic accident than the idiomatic phrasal verb.

exceeded the time limit

Refers specifically to meetings or events lasting longer than planned without the casual tone of movement.

hurried toward

Emphasizes the speed and direction of movement without the 'over' prepositional nuance.

quickly reviewed

Best for mental processes or checking a list, making the action of 'running over' the facts more explicit.

collided with

A more formal and neutral term for physical impacts, often used in insurance or police reports.

surpassed

Indicates going beyond a certain threshold, common in statistical or budgetary contexts.

sprinted to

Highlights a high level of physical urgency compared to general running.

overflowed

Used specifically for liquids or containers that have reached their capacity.

recapitulated

A formal academic term for summarizing or going over points again.

knocked down

Describes a physical collision that results in a person or object being toppled.

FAQs

Is it correct to say "ran over" for a meeting?

Yes, it is very common to use "ran over" to describe a meeting that exceeded its scheduled time. If you need a more formal alternative, you can say the meeting "lasted longer than" expected.

What can I say instead of "ran over" in an accident?

Depending on the severity, you might use phrases like "hit by a car", "collided with", or "struck by".

Can "ran over" mean to check something?

Yes, in an informal or mental context, it means to review. For example: 'I ran over the numbers in my head'. A clearer alternative would be "quickly reviewed".

Which is correct, "ran over" or "run over"?

"ran over" is the simple past tense, whereas 'run over' is used for the present tense, future tense or as a past participle. For example: 'He ran over the curb yesterday' vs 'He might run over the curb'.