they ran out

USAGE SUMMARY

'they ran out' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe the action taken by a group of people, for example, "When they realized they were out of time, they ran out of the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And they ran out of lunch.

The Guardian

In 28 minutes, they ran out".

The New York Times - Sports

They ran out, moments before the building came crashing down.

The New York Times

"I wanted to play the flute, but they ran out".

The New York Times

We used real glasses until they ran out, then turned to clear plastic.

The New York Times - Food

So they ran out to the parking lot.

Huffington Post

"We've been to this hospital but they ran out!

Vice

Sure enough, they ran out.

The New York Times

Then they ran out.

The New York Times

Then they ran out the door.

The New Yorker

They ran out of the room screaming.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they ran out", ensure the context clearly indicates what was depleted or exhausted. For example, "They ran out of time" is more precise than simply "They ran out."

Common error

Avoid using "they ran out" when the subject isn't clearly defined or understood by the audience. This can lead to confusion. Always specify who 'they' are and what they exhausted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they ran out" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the depletion of a resource or a rapid departure. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. It describes a completed action, where 'they' (a plural subject) have exhausted something or left a place quickly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they ran out" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the depletion of a resource or a rapid departure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, more formal settings may benefit from more precise alternatives such as "they exhausted their supply". Understanding the context and audience will ensure appropriate and effective usage of "they ran out".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they exhausted their supply

Focuses on the complete consumption of a resource, emphasizing the lack of any remaining quantity.

they depleted their stock

Highlights the reduction of available resources to a critically low level.

they used up everything

Emphasizes total consumption, leaving nothing behind.

they had no more left

Indicates the absence of any remaining quantity, often unexpectedly.

they were completely out

Highlights a state of being entirely without a specific item or resource.

they reached the end

Signifies the termination of something, whether it be a physical resource or an abstract opportunity.

they came to an end

Similar to 'they reached the end', but emphasizes the process leading to the conclusion.

they finished everything

Stresses the completion of consuming or utilizing something.

they vacated the premises

Focuses on the act of leaving a place, often because of some urgency or necessity.

they departed quickly

Emphasizes the speed and abruptness of leaving a location.

FAQs

How can I use "they ran out" in a sentence?

You can use "they ran out" to indicate a depletion of resources, like in the sentence "they ran out of time" or to describe someone leaving quickly, like "they ran out of the building".

What does "they ran out" mean?

"They ran out" generally means that a group of people exhausted a particular resource or supply, or that they exited a place rapidly.

Which is more appropriate, "they ran out" or "they exhausted their supply"?

Both "they ran out" and "they exhausted their supply" are grammatically correct, but "they exhausted their supply" is more formal and emphasizes the complete consumption of something. "They ran out" is more common and versatile.

Is "they ran out" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically sound, "they ran out" might be too informal for some formal contexts. Consider using phrases like "they exhausted their resources" or "their supply was depleted" for a more professional tone.