time ran out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "time ran out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a specific period for an activity or event has ended or expired. Example: "We were making great progress on the project, but unfortunately, time ran out before we could finish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Discussions

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Unfortunately, time ran out for us".

The New York Times - Sports

Time ran out before Clinton left office.

The New Yorker

Time ran out and Samanosuke drowned.

The New York Times - Tech

Could they get an M.R.I. before time ran out?

The New York Times

But time ran out for LibertyPointe on Thursday.

The New York Times

As time ran out, the inbounds pass went to Brendan.

The New York Times

Soon, time ran out on Ohio State's comeback.

The New York Times - Sports

Valentine passed him, before time ran out in Texas.

The New York Times - Sports

As time ran out, hula hoops were brought out.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

After time ran out, Colts fans morphed back into Manning fans.

The New York Times - Sports

But time ran out before the House Democratic leadership could schedule a vote.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "time ran out" when you want to emphasize the termination of an activity or event due to a time constraint. It's suitable for describing situations in sports, projects, or even life events.

Common error

Avoid using "time ran out" when you actually mean that resources were depleted or support was withdrawn. The phrase specifically refers to time as the limiting factor, not other constraints.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "time ran out" functions as a clause element, specifically a subject-verb construction, indicating the cessation of a time period. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage in various scenarios, from sports to negotiations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Sports

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "time ran out" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate the end of a designated time period. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile, appearing in contexts ranging from sports and news to general conversations. While maintaining a neutral tone, it's essential to use it correctly, ensuring it specifically refers to time constraints, not other limiting factors. Consider alternatives like ""time expired"" or ""deadline passed"" for nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time expired

Focuses specifically on the expiration of a set time limit.

deadline passed

Highlights the missing of a crucial deadline.

clock ran down

Implies that the time remaining decreased to zero.

time was up

A more emphatic and general way of saying time is over.

opportunity passed

Emphasizes the lost chance due to the lack of time.

the end drew near

A more literary and gradual way of expressing the conclusion.

limit was reached

Indicates that a boundary has been attained, halting progress.

day is done

Suggests the completion of a full day's work or activities.

curtain fell

Metaphorically describes the conclusion of an event or performance.

moment slipped away

Focuses on the irretrievable nature of a specific moment.

FAQs

How to use "time ran out" in a sentence?

You can use "time ran out" to indicate that a deadline was missed, a game ended, or an opportunity expired. For example, "The negotiations failed because "time ran out" before an agreement could be reached."

What can I say instead of "time ran out"?

Alternatives include "time expired", "deadline passed", or "time was up", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "time is ran out"?

No, "time is ran out" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is ""time ran out"", using the past tense of the verb "run".

What's the difference between "time ran out" and "we ran out of time"?

"Time ran out" focuses on the time itself as the subject that expired. "We ran out of time" emphasizes the actors (we) who failed to complete something within the given timeframe.