ran towards

USAGE SUMMARY

'ran towards' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to a person or thing in motion, e.g. "The dog ran towards its owner, barking excitedly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A man ran towards her.

The Economist

Millie ran towards it.

The Guardian

An animal ran towards me.

The Guardian

I ran towards the school gates.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Enyeama ran towards the ball but stopped en route.

The Guardian - Sport

The one that ran towards London was London Road.

The Guardian - Opinion

A lot of Tibetans ran towards Dazhao [Jokhang] temple.

The Guardian

But Liau ignored him and ran towards the settlement.

The Guardian

We ran towards Rajrani's house and referred her to hospital,"the schoolteacher added.

Independent

When they arrived, Mr Lambert attempted to flee the officers and ran towards the hospital entrance.

Independent

They looked accusingly at one another, and then ran towards the school.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ran towards" to vividly describe a subject's quick movement in a specific direction, adding a sense of purpose or urgency to your narrative. For example: "Seeing the distress signal, the rescue team ran towards the crash site."

Common error

Ensure you use the past tense "ran" instead of the present tense "run" when describing an action that occurred in the past. "Run toward" would be correct in a present tense or imperative sentence, such as "If you see danger, run toward safety."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ran towards" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating movement in a specific direction. It combines the past tense of the verb 'run' with the preposition 'towards' to describe the action of moving quickly in the direction of something or someone. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Ran towards" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the action of moving quickly in a specified direction. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable in written English. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts, especially in news and media. While alternatives like "sprinted toward" or "rushed toward" exist, "ran towards" offers a clear and versatile way to convey movement and intention. Remember to use the past tense form "ran" when describing actions that have already occurred, avoiding the common error of using the present tense "run" incorrectly. By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate "ran towards" into your writing to add clarity and dynamism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sprinted toward

Emphasizes speed and a more athletic movement.

dashed toward

Suggests a quick and energetic movement over a short distance.

rushed toward

Implies urgency and a hurried pace in the direction of something.

hurried towards

Similar to 'rushed toward', but may imply a slightly less frantic pace.

moved quickly toward

A more descriptive and less idiomatic way of expressing the same idea.

advanced towards

Suggests a more deliberate and possibly strategic movement.

made haste towards

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying 'moved quickly toward'.

converged on

Describes multiple entities moving towards a single point.

headed in the direction of

Focuses on the direction rather than the speed of movement.

approached rapidly

Emphasizes the increasing proximity and speed of the movement.

FAQs

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

You can use "ran towards" to describe someone or something moving quickly in a specific direction. For example, "The dog "ran towards" its owner when it heard its name."

What can I say instead of "ran towards"?

You can use alternatives like "sprinted toward", "rushed toward", or "dashed toward" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "run towards" or "ran towards" when describing a past event?

When describing a past event, the correct form is "ran towards", which is the past tense. "Run towards" is appropriate for present tense or imperative statements.

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

"Ran towards" indicates a faster pace and a sense of urgency or excitement, while "walked towards" implies a more leisurely and less urgent movement.