was run over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was run over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an incident where someone or something was struck by a vehicle. Example: "The pedestrian was run over by a car while crossing the street."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was run over by a car.

The New York Times - Tech

A protester was run over by a car and died.

The Guardian - Opinion

old, Colin was run over by a sports car.

The New Yorker

Clare was run over, so she certainly did die quickly.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

During the 1959 season, he was run over by the great Jim Brown of Cleveland.

The New York Times - Sports

"My first instinct was run over and keep them from touching it".

The New York Times

About two months later he was run over by a bus and nearly killed.

The New York Times - Sports

Last October, in Foshan, China, a 2-year-old girl was run over by a van.

The New York Times

— FJH, NYC An old-fashioned typewriter carry case that was run over by a bus.

The New York Times

A man was run over by an ice cart on Spring Street.

The New York Times

Or of a family that, after their pet dog was run over, ate it for dinner?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was run over", ensure the context clearly indicates a vehicle was involved, or clarify if it's a metaphorical usage.

Common error

Avoid using "was run over" in situations where the object was simply passed over or examined; this phrase implies a forceful collision with a vehicle.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was run over" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject of the sentence received the action of being driven over. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was run over" is a common and grammatically sound passive construction used to describe an event where someone or something is struck and driven over by a vehicle. Ludwig AI indicates its correct usage across varied contexts, from news reports to scientific literature. While primarily literal, it can also be used metaphorically to express being overwhelmed. When writing, it's important to use this phrase accurately, ensuring the context fits the intended meaning and avoids potential misinterpretations. Related phrases include "was struck by a vehicle" and "was hit by", offering similar ways to convey the event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was struck by a vehicle

Replaces the idiom "run over" with a more literal description of being hit by a vehicle.

was hit by

Simplifies the phrase to indicate being impacted by something.

was knocked down by

Emphasizes the forceful impact and resulting fall.

was flattened by

Highlights the crushing force of the impact.

was trampled by

Suggests being stepped on heavily, often by multiple entities.

was crushed by

Implies a severe impact resulting in significant damage.

was steamrollered by

Uses a more forceful metaphor to describe being overwhelmed or defeated.

was overwhelmed by

Shifts the context to being figuratively overcome by something, not necessarily a vehicle.

was bowled over by

Describes being strongly affected or surprised by something.

was overtaken by

Suggests being surpassed or overcome in a race or competition.

FAQs

What does "was run over" mean?

The phrase "was run over" means that someone or something was struck and driven over by a vehicle.

What can I say instead of "was run over"?

You can use alternatives like "was struck by a vehicle", "was hit by", or "was knocked down by" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "was run over" metaphorically?

Yes, but with caution. Metaphorically, "was run over" can mean being overwhelmed or defeated. However, ensure the audience understands the intended meaning and that it's not insensitive to those who have experienced actual vehicular accidents.

Which is correct: "He was run over" or "He got run over"?

Both "He was run over" and "He got run over" are grammatically correct and widely used. The former is more formal, while the latter is more conversational.