running low on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'running low on' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase 'running low on' when referring to a diminishing supply of something, such as food, money, or other resources. Example sentence: Our team is running low on funds, so we will need to find a way to raise money quickly.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We are running low on ammo.

The New York Times

Now we're running low on fuel.

The Guardian

"Seems to be running low on server space or something.

The Guardian - Sport

But the Madagascar series could be running low on juice.

The Guardian - Film

And a good thing -- I was running low on gasoline.

The New York Times - Travel

He noticed that he was running low on gas.

The New Yorker

"We were constantly running low on medical supplies," she said.

The New York Times

Can you hurry up and get this book published, I'm running low on toilet paper".

The Guardian - Sport

There is no electricity to run the hospitals, and generators are running low on fuel.

The New York Times

After countering Jamal Mashburn (21 points) all night, Sprewell started running low on temperament.

The New York Times - Sports

Some grocery stores were running low on certain items, also because of distribution problems.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "running low on" to clearly communicate that a resource or supply is diminishing and may soon be insufficient. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "running low on" if the resource is not actually diminishing but simply perceived as such. Ensure an accurate assessment of the available supply before using the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "running low on" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a state of depletion or scarcity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. The phrase modifies a noun or pronoun, describing the state of the resource in question, as shown in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "running low on" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that a supply of something is diminishing. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. Analysis of example sentences reveals that it's frequently employed in news and media, as well as in more informal contexts. When using the phrase, ensure accuracy in assessing the resource and consider more formal alternatives like "in short supply" for professional settings. Common errors include using "in" instead of "on", which should be avoided. The phrase serves the purpose of informing or warning about scarcity, prompting action to replenish or conserve resources. The related phrases help you to express different nuances of a diminishing quantity, from 'depleting' to 'approaching depletion'.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

running short of

A direct synonym, indicating that the available amount of something is decreasing.

in short supply

Emphasizes the scarcity of something, highlighting that there isn't enough to meet demand.

becoming insufficient

Indicates the current quantity is not enough, stressing the inadequacy of the amount remaining.

dwindling

Describes a gradual decrease or reduction in quantity or supply.

diminishing

Describes the process of gradual reduction in quantity or intensity.

depleting

Indicates the process of something being used up or significantly reduced.

nearing exhaustion

Highlights that the resource is about to be completely consumed.

becoming depleted

Highlights the process of depletion and the resultant decrease in quantity.

getting scarce

Suggests that something is becoming less available or harder to find.

approaching depletion

Focuses on the imminence of running out of something, indicating that the supply is nearly exhausted.

FAQs

How can I use "running low on" in a sentence?

The phrase "running low on" indicates that a supply of something is diminishing. For example, "We are "running low on" coffee, so we need to buy more."

What's a more formal alternative to "running low on"?

While "running low on" is generally acceptable, in more formal contexts, consider using "in short supply" or "diminishing". For instance, "Our reserves are "in short supply"."

Is it correct to say "running low in" instead of "running low on"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "running low" is "on". Saying "running low in" is grammatically incorrect. Always use ""running low on"".

What's the difference between "running low on" and "running out of"?

"Running low on" implies that there is still some supply left, but it's diminishing. "Running out of" means that the supply is completely exhausted. For example, "We are "running low on" milk" means there's some milk left, while "We are running out of milk" means there's no milk left.