ran

ran — verb

1. the form of the verb 'run' used when talking about something that happened in th

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveA1
Definition

the form of the verb 'run' used when talking about something that happened in the past, such as moving quickly on foot, managing an organization, or operating a machine

Example

Hao ran all the way to the bus stop but still missed the bus.

ran + adverbial phrase (distance/direction)

Élise ran her own flower shop in Taipei for over ten years.

ran + object (managed/operated)

Common collocations
  • run (base form)
  • running (present participle)
  • run (past participle)
Synonyms
  • sprinted

    implies running as fast as possible over a short distance; more dramatic than 'ran'

  • raced

    suggests speed and urgency, often in competition

Grammar Patterns

ran + adverbial phrase

ran + distance

ran + object (managed / operated)

Usage Note

Frequently followed by an adverbial of direction (to, from, across, into) or distance when describing physical movement. Can also take a direct object meaning 'managed' or 'operated'. Distinguish from the base form 'run': 'ran' is restricted to completed past-time contexts.

Common Mistakes

Yesterday I run to the store.
Yesterday I ran to the store.
Use 'ran' (not 'run') for completed past actions.
She has ran a marathon before.
She has run a marathon before.
Past participles of 'run' use 'run', not 'ran'.

Word family

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

'Ran' is the past tense form of the verb 'run'. It comes from Old English 'rinnan' (to run), whose past tense was 'rann'. Over time, the double 'n' was simplified to a single 'n', giving us the modern form 'ran'.