run along

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "run along" is a commonly-used phrase in written English.
It can be used as a polite way of telling someone to go away. For example: "Run along now, children. It's time for your bedtime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Just run along".

The New Yorker

Now run along and play".

The New York Times - Books

Now run along, dear.

The Guardian

Police officers run along with him.

The New York Times

The answers run along two main tacks.

The New York Times

"Run along before you get into trouble".

The New Yorker

Now run along and do 23,000 crunches".

The Guardian - Books

Now run along, don't stand there wasting my time".

The Guardian - Arts

Take this $5,000 check and run along".

TechCrunch

They run along the roofline.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Sister Pat, older, becomes his run-along cheerleader.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "run along" when you want to politely dismiss someone, especially in informal settings. It implies a gentle nudge rather than a harsh command.

Common error

Avoid using "run along" in professional or formal situations where a more direct or polite request is necessary. It can come across as condescending.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "run along" primarily functions as an imperative verb phrase. It's used to direct someone to leave, often with an implication of dismissal. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in both direct commands and gentler suggestions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the idiomatic expression "run along" is used to tell someone to leave, often in a dismissive or gently encouraging manner. It's grammatically correct but leans towards informal contexts, making it less suitable for professional environments. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's typically used to direct someone to leave, and while its intent can vary based on the speaker's tone, it's advisable to understand the context before using this phrase to avoid causing offense. Related phrases include go away and "move along", each with its own nuance and level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go on now

Gentle encouragement to leave or proceed.

move along

Instructs someone to keep moving, often used by authorities.

go away

Direct command to leave; less polite.

make yourself scarce

Suggests someone should leave without being noticed.

be off with you

An archaic or humorous way of telling someone to leave.

leave me alone

Expresses a desire for solitude; can be impolite.

take a hike

Informal and somewhat rude way to tell someone to leave.

scram

Informal and abrupt way to tell someone to leave.

get lost

Impolite way to tell someone to leave.

depart

Formal term for leaving.

FAQs

How can I use "run along" in a sentence?

"Run along" is typically used to tell someone to leave, often in a gentle or slightly dismissive way. For example, "Now, now, "run along", I'm busy."

What is a more formal alternative to "run along"?

In formal situations, consider using phrases like "please excuse us", "we need to continue our work", or "we appreciate your time" instead of ""run along"".

Is "run along" appropriate to use with strangers?

Using ""run along"" with strangers can be perceived as rude or condescending. It's better suited for interactions with children or people you know well in informal settings.

What's the difference between "run along" and "go away"?

"Run along" is generally a softer, more playful way to tell someone to leave, whereas "go away" is more direct and can be perceived as rude or angry.