was running for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was running for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone was in the process of campaigning for a position or office in the past. Example: "She was running for mayor last year, and her campaign focused on community development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was running for charity.

Princeton University

When he was running for the Senate.

The New York Times - Magazine

Meanwhile, the President was running for reëlection.

The New Yorker

He was running for president, of course.

The Economist

(Martin was running for reëlection).

The New Yorker

Not that he was running for president.

The Washington Post

"Everyone was running for their life".

The New York Times

"My brother was running for his life.

The Guardian

Mr. Huntsman said this week he was running for president.

The New York Times

"It wasn't because he was running for elective office".

The New York Times

Sepp Blatter, a Swiss, was running for a fourth term.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was running for", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific position or office being sought. For example, "She was running for president of the local community board."

Common error

Avoid using "was running for" when referring to a current campaign. Use "is running for" instead to indicate an ongoing effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was running for" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past continuous action related to seeking an elected or appointed position. As seen in Ludwig, it describes the state of someone actively campaigning for an office in the past. Ludwig AI confirms that is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was running for" is a common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe someone's past candidacy for a position. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it serves to inform about past campaigns and elections. While alternatives like "campaigned for" or "sought election to" exist, the phrase remains a straightforward way to indicate that someone was actively seeking an office in the past. Remember to use "is running for" when referring to ongoing campaigns. Ludwig's examples showcase the phrase's versatility across various sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was a candidate for

States the simple fact of being a candidate, less emphasis on action.

campaigned for

Focuses on the act of campaigning, implying active efforts to win a position.

sought election to

Highlights the act of seeking or pursuing an election, formal tone.

competed for

Focuses directly on the act of competing against others.

contended for

Emphasizes the competitive aspect of vying for a position or office.

vied for

Similar to 'contended for', stressing competition and rivalry.

pursued a position in

Indicates an active attempt to gain a specific role or office.

stood for

British English, meaning to be a candidate in an election.

aimed for

Highlights the intention or goal of securing a position.

offered himself as a candidate

Emphasizes the act of presenting oneself for consideration.

FAQs

What does "was running for" mean?

It indicates that someone was in the process of campaigning or competing for a specific position or office in the past. It implies that the election or competition has already occurred.

What can I say instead of "was running for"?

You can use alternatives like "campaigned for", "sought election to", or "vied for" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "was running for" if the election is still ongoing?

No, if the election is still ongoing, it is more appropriate to use "is running for" to indicate the present, continuous action of campaigning.

What is the difference between "was running for" and "is running for"?

"Was running for" refers to a past campaign or candidacy, while "is running for" refers to a current, ongoing campaign.