ran past

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ran past" is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use this phrase when you want to describe someone or something running past a certain point, like in this example sentence: "The runner ran past the finish line in record time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Literature

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

I shouted, "Hi," as I ran past; Yoko nodded politely.

The New York Times

I thought: 'Nidhi, you lie down.'" A policeman ran past.

The Guardian

A young man ran past, shouting that Morsi had just stepped down.

The New Yorker

In the Algeria match, Bradley ran past faster teammates to win the ball from opponents.

The New York Times - Sports

Then a posse of riot police officers ran past with their shields up, clubs brandished.

The New York Times

When the gunman ran past, he opened his eyes again, to see tourists being scythed down.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Someone runs past to say that Ella Fitzgerald has died.

The Guardian

Then other men and women came running past, looking terrified.

The Guardian

His grandfather's house was torn down to build Interstate 80, which runs past Rosenblatt.

The New York Times - Sports

Whenever a tall, skinny boy runs past, I picture Lorenz racing to come in first.

The New Yorker

Stewart Elliott had not saved enough of Smarty Jones to prevent Birdstone from running past.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ran past" to clearly indicate a quick movement beyond a specific point or object. It's particularly effective in narratives to convey speed and direction.

Common error

Avoid using "ran past" to describe something that is typically stationary or does not involve movement. For example, saying "The road ran past the mountain" is less accurate than "The road went past the mountain" because "ran" implies a speed or urgency not applicable to a road.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ran past" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the action of moving quickly beyond something or someone. As noted by Ludwig AI, it describes a dynamic movement, as shown in examples like "A young man ran past, shouting that Morsi had just stepped down."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

25%

Literature

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ran past" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the action of moving quickly beyond a specific point or object. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted in written English and appears frequently in various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and literature. While alternatives like "passed by" or "went past" exist, "ran past" specifically emphasizes the speed and dynamism of the movement. When writing, be sure to use "ran past" to accurately convey a rapid movement beyond a certain point.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

passed by

Suggests a simple act of going past without necessarily implying competition or superiority.

overtook

Implies catching up and then moving ahead of someone or something.

shot ahead of

Indicates a rapid and sudden movement to surpass something.

went ahead of

Indicates a forward movement, implying surpassing in a race or competition.

outstripped

Emphasizes exceeding or surpassing in speed or progress.

moved beyond

Focuses on the act of exceeding or surpassing something, often in a metaphorical sense.

strode past

Conveys a sense of purposeful and confident movement while passing.

left behind

Highlights the act of distancing oneself, emphasizing the separation.

bypassed

Implies avoiding something by going around it.

sailed through

Suggests effortless movement past something, often an obstacle.

FAQs

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

You can use "ran past" to describe someone or something moving quickly beyond a specific point. For instance, "The athlete "ran past" the finish line" or "The news van "ran past" the protesters".

What are some alternatives to "ran past"?

Alternatives include "passed by", "went past", or "moved beyond", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "runned past" instead of "ran past"?

No, "runned" is not the correct past tense form of "run". The correct past tense is "ran", so you should always use ""ran past"".

What is the difference between "ran past" and "walked past"?

"Ran past" implies a faster movement than "walked past". The choice depends on the speed at which the subject moved beyond the object or point of reference.