running

USAGE SUMMARY

You can use the word "running" in written English.
For example, you could use it in the sentence "I was running late this morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But time is running out".

The New York Times

The triple injection had become problematic because Georgia was running out of the drugs in question.

The Guardian

I hope Katie ends up running a big company - an ambition she revealed in last night's show.

The Guardian

He was chased for "catching the eye" of a lieutenant and running away.

The Guardian

Macdonald and Kennedy's friendship dated back to their days running the Glasgow university students' union in the early 1980s.

The Guardian

But time is running short.

The New York Times

"If we're running a race against their most articulate guy," Steve Schmidt, John McCain's former campaign manager, told me, referring to President Obama, "we should put our most articulate guy.

The Economist

But Republican primary voters too often make the mistake of preferring an unattainable ideal to the best candidate who is actually running.

The Economist

"I'm not running for president".

The New York Times

After three months of turbulent talks, and with cash reserves running perilously low, Greece's leftist-led coalition reshuffled its negotiating team on Monday.

The Guardian - Business

In six months we will be up and running again.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing continuous processes, use "running" to convey ongoing activity, like "The program is running smoothly."

Common error

Avoid using "running" too frequently in highly formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "operating" or "administering" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "running" is a verb, typically used as a present participle or gerund. As Ludwig AI shows, it commonly denotes an action in progress or a state of continuous operation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Sport

15%

Travel

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Science

7%

Books

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "running" is a versatile term primarily functioning as a verb, commonly used to describe actions in progress or continuous operations. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, while grammatically correct and very common, its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for news and general contexts. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "operating" or "administering". To avoid overuse, remember to vary your language and select synonyms that precisely match the intended meaning. With a strong presence in sources like The Guardian and The New York Times, "running" remains a staple in everyday and professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

jogging

Specifically refers to a slow and steady form of running, often for exercise.

operating

Focuses on the mechanical or practical process of something being in use or activity.

sprinting

Describes running at full speed over a short distance.

racing

Highlights the competitive aspect of running, often in a formal event.

in operation

Replaces the dynamic action of "running" with a state of being functional or active.

dashing

Implies a quick and energetic movement, often for a specific purpose.

functioning

Similar to "in operation", this term focuses on the active and working state of something.

managing

This alternative shifts the context to highlight the act of directing or controlling something.

conducting

Emphasizes the act of leading or carrying out a process or activity.

administering

Implies a more formal and structured approach to overseeing or operating something.

FAQs

How can I use "running" in a sentence?

You can use "running" to describe an action in progress, such as "I am running a marathon", or to indicate something is in operation, such as "The business is running smoothly".

What are some synonyms for "running"?

Depending on the context, synonyms for "running" include "operating", "managing", "functioning", or "administering".

When is it appropriate to use "running" in formal writing?

While "running" is acceptable in many contexts, it's often better to use more formal alternatives like "operating" or "administering" in professional or academic writing to maintain a sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "running" and "operating"?

"Running" often implies continuous action or progress, while "operating" suggests a more controlled or mechanical process. For example, a machine is "operating", while a business is "running".