ran over time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ran over time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an event, especially a meeting, that went on longer than originally planned. For example, "The meeting ran over time, so I wasn't able to get to all of the items on the agenda."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Meetings failed to cover all agenda items and frequently ran over time.

Harvard Business Review

Urged to wrap up his own speech as the proceedings ran over time, Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia's first post-independence president, quipped: "This young man is controlling me.

The Guardian

IT WAS perhaps only appropriate that, as the culmination of 12 years' haggling, the negotiations on global trade rules held on the island of Bali in Indonesia on December 3rd-6th ran over time.

The Economist

The inquest into the death in custody of David Dungay Jr resumes on Monday, more than six months after the initial hearing ran over time, forcing a delay in his family's opportunity to speak of their loss.

The Guardian

(Slow pitch, started late, ran over time, felt like style over substance, nice slides though).

TechCrunch

That question led Benioff to share some amazing stories about Steve Jobs, and the two got so caught up discussing Jobs that they ran over time and skipped the NSA topic.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Those frameworks are basically about the scaling of practices, based on the experiments that they have run over time.

Forbes

This could be a godsend for event organisers who just know the event will run over-time.

TechCrunch

Upfront costs are high and construction projects are notorious for running over time and over budget.

The Economist

Without media training, some speak off mic, others run over time.

The Guardian - Opinion

Those that have commenced construction have run over time and over budget, exactly as happened in the last big nuclear boom of the 1970s.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ran over time", ensure the context clearly indicates what was supposed to have a time limit. For example, "The meeting ran over time" is clearer than simply saying, "It ran over time."

Common error

Avoid using "ran over time" in contexts where "run over" could be interpreted literally (e.g., a vehicle running over something). Rephrase to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ran over time" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as a predicate to describe an event, meeting, or process that exceeded its scheduled or expected duration. As Ludwig's examples show, it is often used to describe projects or meetings. Ludwig AI also states that it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ran over time" is a grammatically correct and relatively common way to describe something that took longer than planned. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While suitable for various contexts, it appears most frequently in news and media reports and wiki articles. To avoid potential ambiguity, particularly with the literal meaning of "run over", ensure the context is clear. When aiming for a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "exceeded the time limit". Overall, the phrase is versatile and widely understood for indicating a time overrun.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceeded the time limit

Focuses on the limit being surpassed.

overran the schedule

Similar to the original, emphasizes the schedule being exceeded.

went beyond the allotted time

Highlights the pre-determined time that was set.

took longer than expected

Emphasizes the difference between anticipation and the actual duration.

lasted longer than planned

Focuses on the discrepancy between the intended and actual duration.

took more time than anticipated

Highlights the aspect of anticipation and the overrun of time.

extended past the deadline

Specifically refers to surpassing a final time for completion.

exceeded its duration

More formal, emphasizing the planned length of the event.

continued beyond its end time

Directly states the continuation past the established endpoint.

dragged on

Implies the excessive duration was tedious or unwelcome.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is said to have "ran over time"?

It means that something, like a meeting or event, took longer than its scheduled or expected duration.

How can I rephrase "ran over time" to sound more formal?

You can use more formal alternatives such as "exceeded the time limit" or "went beyond the allotted time".

Is it grammatically correct to say "ran over time"?

Yes, "ran over time" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe something exceeding its allotted duration. Ludwig AI also confirms this.

What are some situations where it's common to say something "ran over time"?

It's often used in the context of meetings, projects, or events that didn't finish within their planned schedule. Ludwig includes many examples from news articles and reports related to projects or events.