running out of

USAGE SUMMARY

"running out of" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where someone or something is nearly depleted of a certain resource. For example, "We are running out of time to finish this project before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Running out of steam.

The Economist

Running out of runners.

Los Angeles Times

They're running out of you".

The New York Times

We're running out of possibilities.

The New York Times

We're running out of superlatives!

The New York Times

I'm running out of time.

The New York Times

"We're running out of time.

The New York Times

FIFA, however, is running out of credibility.

The New York Times - Sports

But I was running out of profanities".

The New Yorker

Cities are running out of space.

The Economist

But it is running out of room.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with adverbs like 'fast' or 'rapidly' to increase the sense of urgency in news or business reporting.

Common error

Do not forget the preposition 'of' when specifying the resource being lost. While 'time is running out' is correct (intransitive), saying 'we are running out time' is ungrammatical; it must be 'we are running out of time'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "running out of" functions as a transitive phrasal verb phrase. It consists of the verb 'run', the particle 'out', and the preposition 'of'. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it acts as the predicate to describe the diminishing state of a subject's resources. Ludwig AI confirms its status as an acceptable and standard way to describe depletion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Social Media

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "running out of" is an essential idiomatic expression in English used to describe the depletion of any resource. Data from Ludwig shows it is exceptionally common in high-tier journalism and business writing. It is grammatically classified as a phrasal verb phrase that requires an object. Whether discussing "running out of time", "running out of money" or "running out of patience", the phrase effectively communicates urgency. While synonymous with terms like "depleting" or "exhausting", it remains the most natural choice for general use. Ludwig AI validates its usage as correct and highly effective in both neutral and formal registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

running low on

Suggests that the resource is still available but is nearing depletion, whereas the query often implies an imminent or total loss.

low on

A simplified, adjectival version that describes the state rather than the action.

short of

Focuses on the current state of insufficiency rather than the ongoing process of depletion.

exhausting

Implies using up the entirety of a resource, often used for physical strength or specific limited supplies.

depleting

A more formal and technical term often used in scientific or environmental contexts regarding resources.

reaching the end of

Commonly used with abstract concepts like patience, time or a specific rope.

using up

A more active, causal phrasing that focuses on the consumption of the resource.

dwindling

Emphasizes the gradual shrinking or diminishing of a supply over time.

experiencing a shortage of

Provides a more formal, institutional description of a lack of supplies.

at the limit of

Suggests that the capacity or resource has reached its maximum sustainable threshold.

FAQs

How do I use "running out of" in a formal sentence?

In formal writing, you can use "running out of" to describe depleting resources, such as "The organization is "running out of options" regarding the budget." For a more technical tone, you might consider using "depleting" or "exhausting".

What is the difference between "running out" and "running out of"?

The phrase "running out" is intransitive, meaning it doesn't need an object (e.g., "Time is running out"). In contrast, "running out of" requires an object to show what is being depleted (e.g., "We are "running out of time"").

Can I say "running low on" instead of "running out of"?

Yes, but they imply different levels of urgency. "running low on" suggests you still have a small amount left, while "running out of" suggests you are very close to having nothing.

Is "running out of" too informal for business reports?

No, it is widely accepted in business journalism. Sources like Forbes and The Economist frequently use it. However, if you want to sound more clinical, you could use "experiencing a shortage of" or "resource depletion".