run out of stuff

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "run out of stuff" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that you have depleted your supply of something, whether it be physical items or resources. Example: "We need to go shopping because we've run out of stuff for dinner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Some heirloom and specialty seed houses run out of stuff before spring.

WikiHow

We've finally run out of stuff.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"You can't just sell stuff, run out of stuff and say, 'O.K., I guess it's over.' ".

The New York Times - Arts

A flailing economic system which has run out of stuff to sell and people to buy it; the unforgiving hardship of global austerity.

The Guardian - Opinion

Such, I guess, is the hazard of the full-time transcendentalist: sooner or later, you run out of stuff to transcend.

The New Yorker

If we have a world in which original artists cannot earn a living from their work, ultimately we will run out of stuff to remix.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Running out of stuff to quantify?

TechCrunch

Do striking skits, acting out with outrageous talking parts; Make video of yourself playing a video game and chatting about the latest odd stuff, and you never seem to run-out of stuff... Use a personal boom-cam (camera mounted on a light weight pole) attached to your waist, or somehow strapped on, with the rigging out of sight to video yourself out-and-about.

WikiHow

Running out of juice before the last girl struts her stuff is a no-no.

WikiHow

Running out of steam.

The Economist

Running out of runners.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a specific type of resource, consider alternatives like "run out of ideas" or "run out of fuel" for greater clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "run out of stuff" in formal writing. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives such as "exhaust resources" or "deplete the inventory".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "run out of stuff" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the depletion or exhaustion of unspecified items or resources. It suggests a state where a previously available supply is no longer sufficient. Ludwig AI shows many examples of its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "run out of stuff" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, though more suited for informal contexts. It describes the depletion of unspecified resources or items. According to Ludwig AI, while the phrase is understandable, it's better to use more specific alternatives in formal writing. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki sources. For formal situations, consider options like "exhaust resources" or "deplete supplies".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have nothing left

General expression for having consumed all items.

use up everything

Simple and direct way to express complete consumption.

exhaust the supply

Emphasizes the complete use of a supply.

deplete one's resources

Formal alternative focusing on resource depletion.

finish the stock

Focuses on exhausting a stored amount of items.

lack supplies

Highlights the state of not having enough.

be short on materials

Specifically relates to a shortage of materials.

reach the end of one's rope

Idiomatic expression indicating the exhaustion of options or patience.

drain the inventory

Formal business term related to using all the inventory

come to the end of the line

Idiomatic expression suggesting the finish of resources.

FAQs

How can I use "run out of stuff" in a sentence?

You can use "run out of stuff" to describe the depletion of resources or materials. For example, "We need to buy groceries; we've "run out of stuff" to make dinner."

What's a more formal way to say "run out of stuff"?

More formal alternatives include "exhaust resources", "deplete supplies", or "consume the inventory". These are better suited for professional or academic writing.

What's the difference between "run out of stuff" and "run out of things"?

"Run out of stuff" is more general and vague, while "run out of things" implies a more defined set of items. Using "run out of things" can add clarity, especially if the items are specific.

Is it grammatically correct to say "ran out of stuff"?

Yes, "ran out of stuff" is the past tense of "run out of stuff" and is grammatically correct. For example, "We "ran out of stuff", so we had to order more."