running him into

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "running him into" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is being forced or led into a situation, often with a sense of urgency or unintended consequence. Example: "The unexpected turn of events was running him into a corner, leaving him with no options."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I'm not running him into a pick in order to get free for a shot — I'm doing it simply to irritate him.

The New Yorker

I'm not running him into a pick in order to get free for a shot—I'm doing it simply to irritate him.

The New Yorker

No ride was worse than the one endured by the runner-up Ice Box, whose jockey Jose Lezcano drove his colt like a bumper car — running him into trouble repeatedly before steering him from the rail to the farthest outside to pass 13 horses in the last quarter-mile.

The New York Times - Sports

Can Mattingly avoid running him into the ground again?

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

We're not going to run him into the ground.

The New York Times - Sports

But I don't want to run him into the ground by playing too much defense right away".

The New York Times - Sports

His career numbers are trending somewhat downwards, however, that's probably because manager Ned Yost runs him into the ground.

The Guardian - Sport

Goldsmith could now afford to live more comfortably, but his extravagance continually ran him into debt, and he was forced to undertake more hack work.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Marinetti's gang provided a template for insurrectionary culture, especially anticipating the militant Surrealism of André Breton, whose political drive ran him into a tortured allegiance to Communism.

The New Yorker

Still, that didn't stop Rivers -- who ran him into the ground -- from the post-game rationalization.

Huffington Post

A couple of halfway decent prospects came up, but Saldana has shared custody of two kids, and the hours would have run him into scheduling conflicts.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "running him into" when you want to convey a sense of unintentional consequence or collision, either literal or figurative. It often implies a lack of control or foresight.

Common error

Avoid using "running him into" when a gentler approach is more appropriate. The phrase implies a certain forcefulness or lack of finesse, so consider alternatives like "introducing him to" or "guiding him toward" if the context calls for a softer touch.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "running him into" functions as a phrasal verb where "running" is the verb and "into" is the preposition. Grammatically, it indicates causing someone (him) to enter a particular situation or state, often unexpectedly or unintentionally. Ludwig provides examples showing this in action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "running him into" is a phrasal verb that means causing someone to experience a particular situation, usually negative or problematic, and often unintentionally. Ludwig AI confirms this with examples primarily sourced from news and media outlets. While grammatically correct, its frequency is uncommon. It is crucial to remember this when conveying the intended meaning and to avoid misinterpreting the level of force implied by the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leading him to

Implies guidance or direction towards a specific result or experience.

guiding him into

Suggests assistance or direction that leads someone into a situation or place.

steering him towards

Highlights the act of guiding or directing someone's course toward something specific.

driving him toward

Emphasizes force or pressure that compels someone towards a specific situation or outcome.

pushing him toward

Focuses on the act of propelling someone in a particular direction or situation.

drawing him into

Suggests attraction or enticement that leads someone into a situation or activity.

forcing him into

Suggests a lack of choice and emphasizes the act of compelling someone into a state or situation.

plunging him into

Emphasizes a sudden or abrupt entry into a situation or experience.

channeling him into

Implies directing someone's energy or focus into a specific area or activity.

maneuvering him into

Implies skillful or strategic action to guide someone into a particular situation.

FAQs

How can I use "running him into" in a sentence?

You can use "running him into" to describe causing someone to experience a situation, often unintentionally. For example, "The unexpected scandal ended up "running him into" a lot of trouble."

What can I say instead of "running him into"?

You can use alternatives like "leading him to", "forcing him into", or "pushing him towards" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "running him into" the same as "running into him"?

No, "running him into" implies causing him to experience something, while "running into him" means encountering him unexpectedly.

Which is correct, "running him into debt" or "running him in debt"?

"Running him into debt" is the correct phrasing. The preposition "into" indicates movement or transition into a state, while "in" would not convey the same meaning.