run out of time

USAGE SUMMARY

"run out of time" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to convey that you have exhausted a limited amount of time and can no longer do something. Example: We tried to finish our project on time, but unfortunately we ran out of time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They run out of time.

The New York Times

I run out of time.

The New York Times - Magazine

She had run out of time".

The New Yorker

But he has run out of time.

The New York Times

We can't run out of time.

Independent

But we've run out of time.

The Washington Post

We're starting to run out of time".

The New York Times - Sports

I can't run out of time.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Running out of time, again.

Huffington Post

You may run out of call time!

WikiHow

They are running out of time".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing creatively, use "run out of time" to create a sense of urgency or to emphasize the limitations faced by a character or project.

Common error

Instead of saying "Time was run out on us", use the active voice: "We ran out of time".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "run out of time" primarily functions as a verb phrase, expressing the cessation of an activity due to the depletion of available time. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and widely used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "run out of time" is a common and correct English phrase used to express that the available time for something has been exhausted. Ludwig AI confirms this. It is used across various contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Wiki sources. While generally neutral in register, it effectively communicates urgency and limitation. When using the phrase, avoid passive constructions. Consider alternatives like "time is up" or "we're short on time" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Time is up

A common, direct way to indicate that the allotted time has ended.

There's no time left

Emphasizes the complete absence of remaining time.

Time has expired

More formal, implying that a specific duration has passed.

Time is running short

Suggests that time is diminishing quickly.

We're pressed for time

Indicates urgency and a limited amount of time available.

We're short on time

Similar to 'pressed for time', highlighting the scarcity of time.

We're up against the clock

Emphasizes the pressure of completing something within a strict time limit.

The deadline is approaching

Focuses on the proximity of a final time limit.

We're facing a time crunch

Highlights the difficulty caused by limited time.

We're behind schedule

Indicates a delay that may lead to exhausting the available time.

FAQs

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

You can use "run out of time" to indicate that the available time for something has been exhausted. For example: "We tried to finish the project, but we "ran out of time"".

What's a less common way to say "run out of time"?

While "run out of time" is common, you could use phrases like "time has expired" or "we're pressed for time" for a slightly different nuance.

Is it correct to say "ran out of the time" instead of "ran out of time"?

No, it's generally incorrect to say "ran out of the time". The definite article "the" is not needed. The correct phrase is "run out of time".

What's the difference between "run out of time" and "running out of time"?

"Run out of time" refers to the completed action of exhausting the available time, while "running out of time" indicates that the available time is diminishing but not yet completely gone.