ran overtime

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ran overtime" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where an event, such as a meeting or a game, exceeds its scheduled time duration. Example: "The meeting ran overtime, causing everyone to be late for their next appointments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

A lot! Clinton ran overtime — surprise!

The New York Times

Robbins ran overtime; he ran overbudget.

The New Yorker

He had an interview with a woman named Annie Jenks that ran overtime.

The New Yorker

When the finale of "American Idol" ran overtime, some digital video viewers missed the most important moment.

The New York Times

Actually, closer: After Mr. Murray's interview with another interrogator ran overtime, I was invited to accompany him to an evening appearance at Florence Gould Hall — and onto the stage of its theater, where a private chat turned into a public spectacle for a few hundred members of the Screen Actors Guild.

The New York Times

This came about on Saturday (23 November) as the talks ran overtime.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

They would rather run overtime than take the chance of over-hiring.

The New York Times

Groeschner said there were significant costs to the event running overtime.

The New York Times - Sports

Seven months later, nearly all auto plants have resumed full operation, with most running overtime to compensate for the output they lost.

The New York Times

ALEX ROSS: There are many other questions awaiting replies, but I'm afraid we've run overtime and must end the session.

The New Yorker

Even with a dawn-to-dusk schedule, the meetings often run overtime, creating a logjam that she is left to contend with.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on events or meetings, use "ran overtime" to clearly and concisely communicate that the event exceeded its scheduled duration.

Common error

Avoid using "ran overtime" when you simply mean an event was longer than you expected. The phrase implies an official schedule was exceeded, not just personal anticipation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ran overtime" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as the predicate of a clause. It describes the action of an event exceeding its scheduled duration, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

21%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ran overtime" is a grammatically sound and understandable verb phrase used to describe when something extends beyond its scheduled timeframe. Though not extremely common, it's versatile enough for both formal and informal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides various examples from sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. When writing, be mindful that "ran overtime" implies a deviation from an official schedule, not just a personal perception of time. You can use alternatives like "exceeded the time limit" or "went over schedule" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceeded the time limit

Implies a pre-set boundary was surpassed.

went over schedule

Focuses on the project plan exceeding the deadline.

extended beyond its duration

Formal and descriptive, emphasizing increased length.

lasted longer than planned

Highlights the deviation from initial plans.

overran its allotted time

Similar to exceeding the time limit, but less formal.

stretched beyond the deadline

Emphasizes deadline extension.

continued past the cutoff

Focuses on going beyond a defined stopping point.

was prolonged

A more general term for extending the duration.

took longer than expected

Highlights the difference between anticipation and reality.

dragged on

Informal, suggesting an undesirable extension.

FAQs

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

You can use "ran overtime" to describe an event that lasted longer than scheduled. For example, "The meeting "ran overtime", pushing back the start of the next session."

What's a more formal way to say "ran overtime"?

A more formal alternative to "ran overtime" is "exceeded the time limit" or "extended beyond its duration".

Is it okay to use "ran overtime" in professional writing?

Yes, it's perfectly acceptable to use "ran overtime" in professional writing, particularly in reports or summaries where a concise description of an event's duration is needed.

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

"Ran overtime" is the past tense form, used to describe an event that has already exceeded its scheduled time. "Run overtime" would be used in a context describing a future possibility or general tendency.