we ran into

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we ran into" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe an unexpected encounter or meeting with someone or something. Example: "While walking through the park, we ran into an old friend from high school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Recently, we ran into turbulence.

The New York Times

We ran into the street.

The New York Times

We ran into two problems in hardware.

Cornell University

"We ran into a squall," he said.

The New York Times - Travel

Pretty soon, we ran into problems.

The Guardian - Opinion

But we ran into New York.

The New York Times - Sports

"But we ran into some tough innings".

The New York Times - Sports

We ran into little trouble programming the biofeedback game.

Cornell University

There were only a few tradeoffs that we ran into.

Cornell University

Toward evening, we ran into a school of whales.

The New Yorker

"I mean, we ran into a pretty good pitcher tonight.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we ran into" to describe a casual or unexpected meeting with a person or a sudden problem encountered during a project or activity. It adds a natural, conversational tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "we ran into" in highly formal or professional documents where a more direct or precise term like "we encountered" or "we experienced" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we ran into" functions as a phrasal verb, acting as the predicate of a clause. It typically introduces an unexpected meeting or encounter, or the experience of facing an unforeseen obstacle. Ludwig confirms this is proper english.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

17%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we ran into" is a phrasal verb used to describe an unexpected encounter or challenge. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral, it leans toward informal, suggesting that a more formal alternative might be suitable for professional or academic writing. Remember to use it to add a touch of surprise or unexpectedness to your narrative and consider the context to ensure it aligns with the intended tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we encountered

This alternative is a more formal and direct substitute, focusing on the act of meeting or facing something.

we bumped into

This alternative implies a casual, often accidental meeting with someone.

we came across

This alternative suggests discovering something, not necessarily a person.

we stumbled upon

This alternative implies a more accidental and surprising discovery.

we met unexpectedly

This alternative clearly states the unplanned nature of the meeting.

we faced

This alternative shifts the focus to confronting a challenge or obstacle.

we experienced

This alternative is a more general term for encountering something, be it positive or negative.

we had an encounter with

This alternative is a more formal way of saying "we ran into".

we collided with

This alternative suggests a forceful or impactful encounter, often negative.

we were confronted with

This alternative emphasizes being faced with a difficult or challenging situation.

FAQs

How can I use "we ran into" in a sentence?

Use "we ran into" to describe an unplanned encounter with a person or to indicate a problem that arose unexpectedly. For example, "While traveling, "we ran into" an old friend" or "During the project, "we ran into" some unexpected difficulties".

What can I say instead of "we ran into"?

You can use alternatives such as "we encountered", "we came across", or "we stumbled upon" depending on the specific context of the sentence.

Is "we ran into" formal or informal?

"We ran into" is generally considered informal. In more formal contexts, using phrases like "we encountered" or "we experienced" would be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "we ran into" and "we met"?

"We met" simply indicates that you encountered someone, while ""we ran into"" implies that the meeting was unexpected or unplanned. "We met" suggests a planned or arranged meeting.