Phrasal verb
Run out of
What does 'run out of' mean?
'Run out of' means reach the point where none of a resource remains available. For example, 'The café has run out of oat milk.' Use 'run out of' when a person or group experiences an empty supply; use 'run out' when the resource itself is the subject, as in 'The ink ran out.'
Key points
- 'Run out of' means a supply has reached zero.
- A person or group comes before 'run out of'.
- Use 'run out' when the resource is the subject.
- 'Running out of' means some remains but little is left.
Can you use "Run out of" yourself?
This lesson has 5 stages. You can stop at any time and continue later.
Stage 1 of 5
Understand
What it means, when to use it, and mistakes to avoid.
The full explanation
Run out of means reach the point where none of a resource remains available. It describes a supply that has reached zero, whether that resource is physical materials, money, or available time.
We have run out of glue for the poster project.
Why it works: A person subject with present perfect shows that zero glue remains right now.
3 more examples
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The printer paper ran out right before the presentation.
The resource itself is the subject, so the preposition of is omitted.
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I am running out of patience with this slow internet connection.
The continuous form describes an approaching shortage of a nonphysical resource.
-
Did your team run out of cups during the reception?
A past question pairs the auxiliary did with the base form run out of.
Read the full guide
Recognize when a supply reaches zero
Use run out of when a supply reaches zero and nothing remains to use. It does not mean you are simply low on an item or wish you had more. If a glue bottle contains two drops, you still have some glue. When the bottle is completely empty, you have run out of glue. English speakers use this phrase for physical supplies such as cups and printer paper, measurable resources such as money and time, and nonphysical resources such as patience or fresh ideas during a difficult meeting.
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We ran out of paper cups before the meeting started.
Why it works: Zero paper cups remained in the kitchen cabinet.
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Our team ran out of ideas during the brainstorming session.
Why it works: The nonphysical resource of creative suggestions reached zero.
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I ran out of money for lunch after paying the parking fee.
Why it works: No cash or available lunch funds remained in the wallet.
Your turn
Which situation correctly calls for the phrase 'run out of'?
Answer: You used the final sheet of paper and the box is empty.
Show the answer
Answer: You used the final sheet of paper and the box is empty.
Run out of requires that the supply reaches zero, not that you simply want more or have a small amount remaining.
Place the missing resource after the phrase
In this pattern, the person, group, or organization comes first, followed by the fixed phrase run out of, and then the missing resource. Never place the resource in the middle of the phrase. You cannot say that you ran glue out of or ran money out of. Pronouns follow the exact same rule as nouns. If your listener already knows you are talking about glue, say you ran out of it, never ran it out of. The three words run, out, and of stay together as a single unit.
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The volunteers ran out of tape while hanging the signs.
Why it works: The noun tape follows directly after run out of.
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We needed more white paint, but the art shop ran out of it.
Why it works: The pronoun it sits after the complete three-word phrase.
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Our department ran out of envelopes yesterday morning.
Why it works: The organization is the subject, followed immediately by the unbroken phrase and the resource.
This also comes up in Stand out and Burn out.
Your turn
Which sentence places the pronoun in the correct position?
Answer: We ran out of it during the morning workshop.
Show the answer
Answer: We ran out of it during the morning workshop.
The phrase run out of is inseparable, so pronouns like it must follow of.
Drop the word of when the resource is the subject
Your choice between run out and run out of depends entirely on the subject of your sentence. When a person, team, or machine experiences the shortage, use run out of followed by the resource: We ran out of glue. When the missing resource itself acts as the subject, drop the preposition of: The glue ran out. You can also say We have run out without naming the resource if both speakers already know what is missing from the room.
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The printer ink ran out right in the middle of a print job.
Why it works: The resource ink is the subject, so of is omitted.
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We ran out of printer ink right in the middle of a print job.
Why it works: The people experiencing the shortage are the subject, so of is required before ink.
-
Do not look for more paper cups because we have run out.
Why it works: The resource is already understood, so the sentence ends after run out.
Your turn
Choose the sentence that correctly uses the resource as the subject.
Answer: The battery power ran out during our video conference.
Show the answer
Answer: The battery power ran out during our video conference.
When the supply itself is the subject, use ran out without of.
Match the verb form to the time frame
To express time accurately, learn the verb principal forms: run in the base form, ran in the simple past, and run again in the past participle, with running doubling the letter n. Use ran out of with past time words like yesterday to describe an event finished in the past. Use have run out of when an empty supply affects your present situation. When a resource is merely getting low but not yet empty, use the continuous form are running out of. For instance, We are running out of time means little time remains, while Time is running out shifts time to the subject. To practice connecting approaching shortages with upcoming actions, explore /grammar/future-predictions/.
| Time Frame | Form with Person Subject | Form with Resource Subject | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Past event (yesterday) | ran out of | ran out | We ran out of tape yesterday. |
| Present result (now empty) | have/has run out of | has/have run out | We have run out of cups. |
| Approaching shortage (almost empty) | am/is/are running out of | is/are running out | We are running out of time. |
| Routine habit | run/runs out of | runs/run out | The car runs out of fuel quickly. |
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We ran out of cleaning spray yesterday afternoon.
Why it works: The past simple form ran out of pairs with the specific past time yesterday.
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The clinic has run out of bandages, so we need a delivery today.
Why it works: The present perfect emphasizes the current real-world result of an empty supply.
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Be quick because we are running out of time before the doors open.
Why it works: The continuous form shows an approaching shortage where some minutes still remain.
Your turn
What does 'We are running out of envelopes' tell the listener?
Answer: The envelope supply is getting low, but some envelopes still remain.
Show the answer
Answer: The envelope supply is getting low, but some envelopes still remain.
The present continuous form are running out of signals that a supply is getting low before reaching zero.
Keep the base form run after did and auxiliary verbs
A frequent error among learners is saying did ran, have ran, or runned. Because did already carries the past tense, the verb after did must return to its base form: Did you run out of glue? In negative past statements, say We did not run out of glue or We didn't run out of glue, never didn't ran. Another common mistake is using the simple past form ran in the present perfect. The principal parts of this irregular verb are run, ran, and run. Because the present perfect requires the past participle run, always say have run out of or has run out of, as in Have we run out of cups?, never have ran out of. In addition, the regular ending -ed is never added; the form runned does not exist in standard English.
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Did you run out of glue during the afternoon craft session?
Why it works: Past questions with did require the base form run out of, never did ran.
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We didn't run out of glue, but we used almost every bottle.
Why it works: Negative past sentences require didn't run or did not run, not didn't ran.
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Have we run out of cups for the coffee station?
Why it works: Present perfect pairs have with the past participle run, never have ran.
Your turn
Which sentence uses the correct verb form?
Answer: Have we run out of paper cups for the meeting?
Show the answer
Answer: Have we run out of paper cups for the meeting?
Present perfect requires the past participle run (have run out of), not have ran. Questions with did require the base form run, not did ran.
Explain an empty supply to propose a practical adjustment
In daily conversation and routine workplace communication, stating that you have run out of something is rarely the end of the conversation. English speakers naturally pair the shortage with an immediate next step, such as sharing nearby supplies, substituting an item, or sending someone to fetch more. The phrase run out of is standard, natural English that sounds neither too formal nor too casual, making it suitable for quick emails to a manager, chats with coworkers, or household requests. When supplies run low, speakers often discuss future plans and predict what will happen next. You can study these predictive structures in /grammar/future-predictions/ and explore practical adjustments in /micro-listenings/1-2/.
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The paint station ran out of brushes, so volunteers shared sponges instead.
Why it works: Reports an immediate shortage and offers a practical sharing solution.
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I ran out of sticky notes, so I wrote the phone message directly on the desk pad.
Why it works: Explains a shortage to justify a sensible everyday workaround.
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The registration desk is running out of name tags; please bring two boxes from room B.
Why it works: Reports an approaching shortage alongside a direct request for restocking.
Your turn
Why is run out of suitable for both workplace emails and informal chats?
Answer: It is ordinary, neutral everyday English that fits both casual and professional settings.
Show the answer
Answer: It is ordinary, neutral everyday English that fits both casual and professional settings.
Run out of is neutral everyday English, making it appropriate for office notes, service jobs, and home conversations.
Identify linked sounds and reduced prepositions in speech
When native speakers speak at a natural pace, run out of rarely sounds like three isolated words. The final consonant sound of run links directly into the vowel of out, creating run-out. Then out of connects smoothly, where the preposition of weakens to a soft sound like /əv/ or /ə/. Depending on the speaker's regional accent, the letter t in out may sound like a quick tap in American speech or a softer stop in British English. Notice grammar cues like have, did, or yesterday to tell run from ran when fast vowels sound similar. You can compare similar service conversations in /micro-listenings/11-2/.
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We ran out of coffee beans an hour ago.
Why it works: Notice how ran connects into out and of softens to a quick unstressed syllable.
-
They didn't run out of badges during check-in.
Why it works: Listen for the contracted negative ending in didn't, which confirms the base verb run.
-
We've run out of clean spoons for the dessert counter.
Why it works: The contracted auxiliary we've signals present perfect even if the 've is spoken quietly.
Your turn
What listening clue helps you identify the verb form if 'run' and 'ran' sound similar in fast speech?
Answer: Looking for surrounding grammar words like did, have, or yesterday.
Show the answer
Answer: Looking for surrounding grammar words like did, have, or yesterday.
Grammar context, such as auxiliaries and time markers, provides reliable clues when vowel sounds are reduced.
Build your message using four structured steps
To write your own shortage message without looking at models, follow four straightforward decisions. First, identify your subject: are you describing a person or group experiencing the problem, or the missing resource itself? Second, select your time form: choose ran for a finished past moment, have run for an empty current supply, or are running for an approaching shortage. Third, include of only if the experiencing person or group is the subject. Fourth, name the resource clearly and state an actionable next step for your reader.
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We ran out of printer paper, so please grab a ream from the copy center.
Why it works: Follows all four steps: person subject, past form, preposition of, and an actionable request.
-
The cold milk ran out, so I am heating water for tea instead.
Why it works: The resource subject milk drops of and pairs with an immediate alternative.
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We are running out of time to submit the grant application today.
Why it works: Person subject paired with approaching continuous form and measurable resource time.
Your turn
Which step decides whether your sentence includes the word 'of'?
Answer: Deciding whether the subject is the person experiencing the shortage or the resource itself.
Show the answer
Answer: Deciding whether the subject is the person experiencing the shortage or the resource itself.
If a person or group is the subject, use run out of; if the supply itself is the subject, omit of.
Common mistakes with "run out of"
What learners often say, what to say instead, and why.
-
Not this:
We have ran out of batteries.Say: We have run out of batteries.
The present perfect uses the past participle 'run', not the past form 'ran'.
-
Not this:
Did you ran out of petrol?Say: Did you run out of petrol?
After 'did', use the base form 'run'.
-
Not this:
The printer ran out of ink of.Say: The printer ran out of ink.
When the resource is the subject, use 'run out' without 'of'.
-
Not this:
We ran it out of during the journey.Say: We ran out of it during the journey.
'Run out of' stays together, so the pronoun follows 'of'.
Use it naturally
How people really use “run out of”
Neutral Fine almost anywhere, at work or with friends.
Words it often goes with
- run out of timeWe might run out of time before we reach the castle.
- run out of moneyI don't want to run out of money during our vacation.
- run out of patienceEven calm people can run out of patience after a long wait.
- run out of gasWe could run out of gas before we reach the next town.
What people also say
- “We have run out of paper.” instead of “Our supply of paper has reached zero.”Use this simple phrase in everyday conversation.
- “The paper ran out.” instead of “The paper ran out of.”Leave out of when the resource is the subject.
Questions about "Run out of"
What does run out of mean?
It means you have finished your available supply of something so that zero remains. You can use it for physical items like food or paper, and for resources like time or money.
We ran out of printer toner during the morning rush.
I ran out of cash at the farmers market.
What is the difference between run out and run out of?
The difference depends on the grammatical subject. When a person or group experiences the shortage, use run out of: We ran out of tape. When the resource itself is the subject, drop the preposition of: The tape ran out.
Our team ran out of clean mugs.
The drinking water ran out before noon.
Does running out mean there is nothing left?
No. The continuous form running out means the supply is becoming low and will soon reach zero, but a small quantity still remains right now. To state that nothing remains, use have run out of or ran out of.
We are running out of milk, so buy some on your way home.
Time is running out to register for the seminar.
Should I say ran out or have run out?
Use ran out when you refer to a specific finished past time, such as yesterday or earlier this morning. Use have run out when the empty supply directly affects the present moment and you want to highlight the current shortage.
We ran out of flour yesterday afternoon.
We have run out of printer paper, so I cannot print your contract now.
Can I say we've run out of it?
Yes. When the missing item has already been named and is understood by both speakers, you can replace the noun with the pronoun it or them. Keep the pronoun directly after of: We have run out of it. Never place the pronoun in the middle.
Did you find any packing tape? No, we have run out of it.
We needed extra batteries, but the department ran out of them.
Is it did you run out or did you ran out?
Always say did you run out. Because the auxiliary verb did already indicates the past tense, the main verb that follows must remain in its base form run. Saying did you ran or didn't ran is a common error.
Did you run out of fuel on the highway?
We didn't run out of tickets after all.
Before you go
Remember this
Use run out of when a person or group experiences an empty supply, and run out without of when the resource itself is the subject. Remember that running out indicates an approaching shortage, while ran out or have run out marks an empty supply.
Stage 2 of 5
Listen
Hear it in real sentences, from short to long, and write what you hear.
0 of 4 done
Listening 1 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
0:00
- The printer paper ran out right before the presentation.
- I am running out of patience with this slow internet connection.
Read the transcript
We have run out of glue for the poster project.
The speaker uses 'have run out of' with the person subject 'We' to show that zero glue remains right now.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- listen for "ou-tof": out and of connect without a pause.
- listen for "uv": of is short and light before glue.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- listen for "ou-tof": out and of connect without a pause.
- listen for "uv": of is short and light before glue.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- listen for "ou-tof": out and of connect without a pause.
- listen for "uv": of is short and light before glue.
Listening 2 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
0:00
- The printer paper ran out right before the presentation.
- I am running out of patience with this slow internet connection.
Read the transcript
The paper cups ran out before the break ended.
When the missing item ('The paper cups') is the subject of the sentence, use 'ran out' without 'of'.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- listen for "ra-nout": the end of ran joins the start of out.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The final t or d is barely said before the next consonant.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- listen for "ra-nout": the end of ran joins the start of out.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The final t or d is barely said before the next consonant.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- listen for "ra-nout": the end of ran joins the start of out.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The final t or d is barely said before the next consonant.
Try a longer clip. Listen once, then replay the part you missed.
Listening 3 of 4
Listen, then type what you hear. Replay as often as you need.
0:00
- The printer paper ran out right before the presentation.
- I am running out of patience with this slow internet connection.
Read the transcript
We are running out of time to assemble these folders, but we have not run out of paper yet.
'Are running out of' describes an ongoing shortage that is getting close to zero, while 'have not run out of' shows that some paper still remains.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- listen for "runnin-gout": running and out flow together without a pause.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- listen for "runnin-gout": running and out flow together without a pause.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- listen for "runnin-gout": running and out flow together without a pause.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
This clip is longer. Follow the instruction above the answer field.
Listening 4 of 4
Listen, then type the missing words. The rest of the text is already there.
0:00
- The printer paper ran out right before the presentation.
- I am running out of patience with this slow internet connection.
Read the transcript
When we arranged the community craft table this morning, Elena noticed that we had run out of blue yarn. We are also running out of thick cardstock, so we cannot make ten more gift boxes. I suggest we share the green yarn from table four and ask David to pick up two extra packs of cardstock from the front supply closet.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- listen for "ru-nout": the end of run joins the start of out without a pause.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- listen for "ru-nout": the end of run joins the start of out without a pause.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
Listen for
At natural speed these words change shape. Tap one to hear it again.
- listen for "ru-nout": the end of run joins the start of out without a pause.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
- The last sound of the first word runs straight into the next word.
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Save my progressStage 3 of 5
Speak
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We have run out of glue for the poster project.
Play the line slowly, then speak at the same time as the speaker. Copy the rhythm, not just the words.
Your turn
Say it your way
Speak from memory for 30 to 60 seconds. You and a friend are visiting a seaside town for the day. You have little money left and one hour before your train. Explain what you can still do and how to avoid running out of money or time.
Use: run out of running out of
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0:00
Hear how someone else might say it
We have about twenty dollars left, and our train leaves in an hour. We are running out of time, so I think we should stay near the station. There is a small beach nearby where we can sit for a while. We could buy a snack, but I don't want to run out of money before we get home. Let's keep ten dollars for the bus from the station. We can enjoy the sea for twenty minutes and then walk back together.
Try once more and answer this: What would you like to do on your next visit?
Stage 4 of 5
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- I used “run out of”.
- It is about my life, not the lesson’s example.
- I read it once aloud to check it sounds right.
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