run some errands

USAGE SUMMARY

"run some errands" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of going out to complete necessary tasks or chores. For example: "I have to run some errands before I can get home for dinner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

The Ellisons left to run some errands.

The New Yorker

Last Thursday evening, Michael left to run some errands.

The New York Times

Mr. Gao left the apartment to run some errands.

The New York Times

Ms. Kim left the office shortly before noon to run some errands, the police said.

The New York Times

After I drop her off, I run some errands and maybe see some friends.

The New York Times

On my way to run some errands, I stopped into this random shoe store and bought black rubber wellies.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

He runs some errands.

The New York Times

— Mark Twain "I'm merely running some errands.

The New Yorker

We ran some errands around town, parallel-parked at a strip mall, loaded sacks of groceries and drove down a dirt road to a farm stand.

The New York Times

Last fall, she came back to the house in the late afternoon after running some errands and found herself strangely locked out, despite her mother being home.

The Washington Post

And there is Richard Marx, the '80s soft rocker, who responded to a critical blog-post by a local TV reporter last year with the sort of breath-taking escalation only the filterless wonderland of social media permits: "Hey @TedMcClelland I'm running some errands.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "run some errands", ensure the context makes it clear that these errands involve leaving one's home or primary location to complete tasks. For example, "I need to "run some errands" at the grocery store and the post office."

Common error

Avoid using "run some errands" when the specific tasks are critical to the context. If the details matter, be specific about what needs to be done instead of using the general phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "run some errands" functions as a verb phrase, describing the action of going out to complete various tasks. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, showing its standard use in conveying this activity. The examples provided by Ludwig indicate its common usage in everyday contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

11%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "run some errands" is a common and correct way to describe going out to complete various tasks. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used across different contexts, especially in news, media, and informal settings. While neutral in tone, it may be more appropriate to use specific details if they are important to the context, and you might find a more formal phrasing depending on your target audience. Alternatives like "do some chores" or "attend to some matters" can be employed to adjust the level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

do some chores

Replaces "errands" with "chores", suggesting a focus on household tasks.

take care of business

A more general phrase indicating the completion of tasks, potentially including both personal and professional responsibilities.

get a few things done

A more casual phrasing emphasizing the act of achieving completion.

take care of a few things

A more general and less specific alternative.

attend to some matters

A more formal way of saying "run some errands", suitable for professional or academic settings.

complete a few tasks

Focuses on the completion of specific activities, regardless of location.

see to a couple of things

A more vague way of saying "run some errands", often implying the tasks are quick or easy.

handle some obligations

Implies that the errands are duties or responsibilities that need to be fulfilled.

get things squared away

An idiom that means to finalize arrangements, deal with problems or fulfil obligations.

take charge of things

Means to assume control or responsibility in order to get things done.

FAQs

How can I use "run some errands" in a sentence?

You can use "run some errands" to describe going out to complete various tasks. For example, "I need to "run some errands" this afternoon, including going to the bank and the dry cleaner."

What is a more formal way to say "run some errands"?

A more formal alternative to "run some errands" is "attend to some matters". This phrasing is suitable for professional or academic settings.

Is it better to specify tasks instead of saying "run some errands"?

In situations where details are important, it is better to specify the tasks rather than using the more general phrase "run some errands". If the general activity is all that matters, "run some errands" is perfectly appropriate.

What does it mean to "run some errands"?

To "run some errands" means to go out and complete various small tasks, typically involving travel to different locations to purchase items, drop off items, or perform other quick tasks.