ran unopposed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ran unopposed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of elections or competitions to indicate that a candidate or participant did not face any opposition. Example: "In the recent election, the incumbent mayor ran unopposed, securing another term without any challengers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He ran unopposed.

The New York Times

Four ran unopposed.

The New York Times

Several ran unopposed.

The New York Times

In 1997, he ran unopposed.

The Economist

In 2014, he ran unopposed.

The Washington Post

He ran unopposed in 2016.

The Washington Post

Four incumbent supervisors ran unopposed.

The Washington Post

Another 76 district councilors ran unopposed.

The New York Times

In these, nine candidates ran unopposed.

The Economist

In 57 districts, the incumbents ran unopposed.

The New York Times

He ran unopposed in all subsequent elections.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ran unopposed", ensure the context clearly indicates an election or competition. This phrase is most effective when highlighting the lack of challenge faced by a candidate or participant.

Common error

Avoid using "ran unopposed" when referring to situations where someone faced challenges other than direct competition, such as overcoming obstacles or personal struggles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ran unopposed" primarily functions as a descriptive statement, indicating a lack of competition in an election or contest. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is grammatically correct. The examples show its use in describing political races and other competitive scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

15%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ran unopposed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, primarily within news and media contexts, to describe a situation where a candidate or participant faces no opposition in an election or contest. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and the numerous examples demonstrate its common usage. Alternative phrases such as "faced no opposition" or "was uncontested" can be used for variety, but the core meaning remains consistent: a victory achieved without direct competition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

faced no opposition

Focuses on the absence of adversaries.

was uncontested

Highlights the lack of a contest.

had no challengers

Emphasizes the absence of competing candidates.

was the sole candidate

Specifies that only one person was running.

stood unopposed

Similar to the original phrase, but uses "stood" instead of "ran".

secured the position by default

Indicates the position was won because there were no other options.

won without competition

Highlights the absence of a competitive element.

was automatically elected

Emphasizes the automatic nature of the victory.

met with no resistance

Focuses on the absence of obstacles or challenges.

sailed to victory

A more figurative way to describe an easy win due to lack of opposition.

FAQs

How is the phrase "ran unopposed" typically used?

The phrase "ran unopposed" is used to describe a situation in an election or competition where a candidate or participant had no opponents.

What does it mean when someone "ran unopposed"?

It means that no other candidates competed against them in an election, ensuring their victory.

What can I say instead of "ran unopposed"?

You can use alternatives like "faced no opposition", "was uncontested", or "had no challengers".

Is it correct to say "run unopposed"?

No, the correct past tense is "ran unopposed". "Run unopposed" is the infinitive form.