Irregular verbs  Regular verbs

run, runs, running, ran
Synonyms: race, sprint, dash, hurry, manage

Antonyms: walk, stop, stand, halt, rest

The Verb Run – Definition, Usage, and Clarification


The verb run is an extremely common and versatile irregular verb. Its core meaning is to move with your legs at a pace faster than walking. However, it has dozens of other meanings related to operating, flowing, managing, and continuing.


VERB FORMS


■ Base Form: run
■ Past Simple: ran
■ Past Participle: run
■ Present Participle/Gerund: running


USAGE AND CONTEXT


'Run' is one of the most adaptable verbs in English.


1. Moving on Foot
This is its primary, literal meaning.


■ Exercise/Sport: 'I run five kilometers every morning.'


2. Operating or Managing
This refers to making a machine, system, or business function.


■ Business: 'She runs her own company.'
■ Machinery: 'Is it okay to leave the engine running?'
■ Software: 'What operating system does your computer run?'


3. Flowing or Spreading
This applies to liquids, colors, and other flowing things.


■ Liquids: 'Tears ran down her cheeks.'
■ Colors: 'The colors in my new shirt ran when I washed it.'


4. Continuing for a Period
This describes the duration of an event or state.


■ Events: 'The festival will run for three days.'
■ Family: 'Musical talent runs in her family.'


ℹ IMPORTANT: PHRASAL VERBS AND PAST PARTICIPLEPast Participle Form: A very common grammatical error is to use 'ran' as the past participle. The correct form is run.
■ Correct: 'I have run out of milk.'
■ Incorrect: 'I have ran out of milk.'


■ Phrasal Verbs: The meaning of 'run' changes dramatically in phrasal verbs. Some common examples include:
■ Run into: To meet someone by chance.
■ Run out of: To use up your supply of something.
■ Run over: To hit something with a vehicle.
■ Run away: To escape or leave a place.
■ Run for: To campaign for a political office.


RUN - PRESENT SIMPLE
★ Irun
★ yourun
★ he/she/itruns
★ werun
★ you (plural)run
★ theyrun
Examples of the verb 'run' in the Present Simple
- I run five kilometers every morning.
- You run a tight ship at work.
- He runs a successful restaurant. | The river runs through the city.
- We run a small family business.
- You (plural) run the risk of failing if you don't prepare.
- They run marathons for charity.
RUN - PRESENT CONTINUOUS
★ I amrunning
★ you arerunning
★ he/she/it isrunning
★ we arerunning
★ you arerunning
★ they arerunning
Examples of the verb 'run' in the Present Continuous
- I am running late for my appointment.
- You are running a fever.
- He is running for mayor. | The engine is running smoothly.
- We are running out of time.
- You (plural) are running the new software update.
- They are running a special promotion this week.
RUN - PRESENT PERFECT
★ I haverun
★ you haverun
★ he/she/it hasrun
★ we haverun
★ you haverun
★ they haverun
Examples of the verb 'run' in the Present Perfect
- I have run a marathon twice in my life.
- You have run this program before.
- He has run into some trouble. | She has run the company for twenty years.
- We have run out of milk; I need to go to the store.
- You (plural) have run a good race.
- They have run the tests and are waiting for the results.
RUN - PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
★ I have beenrunning
★ you have beenrunning
★ he/she/it has beenrunning
★ we have beenrunning
★ you have beenrunning
★ they have beenrunning
Examples of the verb 'run' in the Present Perfect Continuous
- I have been running this shop for ten years.
- You have been running on empty all week; you need to rest.
- He has been running the department since last year. | The faucet has been running all day.
- We have been running this campaign for months.
- You (plural) have been running tests on the system.
- They have been running from their problems.
RUN - PAST SIMPLE
★ Iran
★ youran
★ he/she/itran
★ weran
★ you (plural)ran
★ theyran
Examples of the verb 'run' in the Past Simple
- I ran to catch the bus this morning.
- You ran a red light.
- He ran a great campaign, even though he lost. | She ran a bath for the children.
- We ran into our old teacher at the supermarket.
- You (plural) ran the company while the boss was away.
- They ran out of the burning building.
RUN - PAST CONTINUOUS
★ I wasrunning
★ you wererunning
★ he/she/it wasrunning
★ we wererunning
★ you wererunning
★ they wererunning
Examples of the verb 'run' in the Past Continuous
- I was running in the park when I twisted my ankle.
- You were running a background check on the new employee.
- He was running a high fever, so we took him to the hospital. | The car's engine was running.
- We were running late for the wedding.
- You (plural) were running a test on the new software.
- They were running towards the finish line.
RUN - PAST PERFECT
★ I hadrun
★ you hadrun
★ he/she/it hadrun
★ we hadrun
★ you hadrun
★ they hadrun
Examples of the verb 'run' in the Past Perfect
- I had run out of ideas long before the final deadline.
- You had run the same play twice.
- She had run the company for 20 years before she finally retired. | The computer had run a diagnostic check.
- We had run five miles before we stopped for water.
- You (plural) had run the simulation.
- They had run out of food and water.
RUN - PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
★ I had beenrunning
★ you had beenrunning
★ he/she/it had beenrunning
★ we had beenrunning
★ you had beenrunning
★ they had beenrunning
Examples of the verb 'run' in the Past Perfect Continuous
- I had been running the café for a year before I sold it.
- You had been running from the police for weeks.
- He had been running the business at a loss for years. | The tap had been running for hours.
- We had been running the project without proper funding.
- You (plural) had been running the tests all night.
- They had been running on fumes for the last part of the journey.
RUN - FUTURE SIMPLE
★ I willrun
★ you willrun
★ he/she/it willrun
★ we willrun
★ you willrun
★ they willrun
Examples of the verb 'run' in the Future Simple
- I will run for president of the student club.
- You will run into problems if you don't follow the instructions.
- He will run the shop while I am on vacation. | The water will run out if we don't fix the leak.
- We will run the simulation tomorrow.
- You (plural) will run the risk of getting caught.
- They will run in the next election.
RUN - FUTURE CONTINUOUS
★ I will berunning
★ you will berunning
★ he/she/it will berunning
★ we will berunning
★ you will berunning
★ they will berunning
Examples of the verb 'run' in the Future Continuous
- I will be running the London Marathon next year.
- You will be running the presentation on Tuesday.
- He will be running the meeting in my absence. | The refrigerator will be running all night.
- We will be running a series of tests on the new prototype.
- You (plural) will be running the workshop for the new employees.
- They will be running for the train.
RUN - FUTURE PERFECT
★ I will haverun
★ you will haverun
★ he/she/it will haverun
★ we will haverun
★ you will haverun
★ they will haverun
Examples of the verb 'run' in the Future Perfect
- I will have run 20 kilometers by the time I finish my training today.
- You will have run out of patience by then.
- He will have run the company for a decade by next May. | The battery will have run down.
- We will have run all the necessary checks by the end of the day.
- You (plural) will have run the course.
- They will have run out of options.
RUN - FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
★ I will have beenrunning
★ you will have beenrunning
★ he/she/it will have beenrunning
★ we will have beenrunning
★ you will have beenrunning
★ they will have beenrunning
Examples of the verb 'run' in the Future Perfect Continuous
- By the end of the day, I will have been running errands for six hours straight.
- You will have been running the business for 25 years by your retirement.
- He will have been running for office for a full year by election day. | The engine will have been running for a long time.
- We will have been running this program for its entire lifecycle.
- You (plural) will have been running the tests for 48 hours.
- They will have been running the restaurant for a generation.

Conjugation of the verb To Run