What Are the Past and Past Participle of “Run”?

“Run” is one of the most commonly used verbs in English, but it’s also one that confuses learners. Unlike regular verbs, which follow a simple “-ed” rule for past tense, “run” is an irregular verb—meaning its past and past participle forms don’t follow the usual pattern. But don’t worry! In this guide, we’ll break it all down in a simple, engaging way. Let’s dive in!

What Does “Run” Mean?

Before we get into its past forms, let’s look at the meaning of “run.” This verb has multiple meanings, including:
✅ To move quickly on foot (e.g., She runs every morning.)
✅ To manage or operate something (e.g., He runs a small business.)
✅ To function or be in operation (e.g., The engine is running smoothly.)
✅ To cause liquid to flow (e.g., Water is running from the tap.)

Past Tense of “Run”: “Ran”

The simple past tense of “run” is “ran”—used when referring to an action that happened at a specific time in the past.

Example Sentences Using “Ran”

• She ran to catch the bus this morning.
• They ran five miles before sunrise.
• He ran a successful campaign for mayor last year.
• The river ran dry during the summer.
• I ran into an old friend at the mall.

Common Mistakes with “Ran”

🚫 Incorrect: She runned fast.
✅ Correct: She ran fast.

🚫 Incorrect: He has ran to the store.
✅ Correct: He has run to the store.

Past Participle of “Run”: “Run”

Here’s where things get tricky! Unlike most verbs, the past participle of “run” is also “run”—it doesn’t change like the simple past form. However, past participles must be used with an auxiliary verb (has, have, had).

Example Sentences Using “Run” (Past Participle)

• She has run three marathons this year.
• The program had run smoothly before the update.
• By noon, they had run out of supplies.
• This machine has run for over ten years without issues.
• The cat has run away several times.

Quick Comparison: “Ran” vs. “Run”

Verb Form	Example Sentence
Simple Past (ran)	I ran to school yesterday.
Past Participle (run)	I have run to school every day this week.
Past Perfect (had run)	I had run five miles before breakfast.

Fun Memory Trick to Avoid Confusion!

💡 Think of it this way:

• If there’s NO helping verb → Use ran (“Yesterday, I ran.”)
• If there IS a helping verb (has, have, had) → Use run (“I have run a marathon.”)

Read Also: What’s the Plural of Software? 

Common Idioms and Phrases Using “Run”

“Run” appears in many expressions! Here are some of the most common ones:

🔹 Run out of – To use up a supply (e.g., We ran out of milk.)
🔹 Run into – To encounter unexpectedly (e.g., I ran into my teacher at the mall.)
🔹 Run for office – To campaign for a position (e.g., She ran for mayor last year.)
🔹 Run late – To be delayed (e.g., I’m running late for my appointment.)
🔹 Run on empty – To have no energy left (e.g., After studying all night, I was running on empty the next day.)

Quiz Time! 

Let’s test your understanding with a quick quiz! Fill in the blanks with “ran” or “run.”

1. Yesterday, she ______ five miles.
2. I have ______ out of patience with this software.
3. The machine had ______ for years without issues.
4. He ______ for president last election.
5. We have ______ multiple tests to check the system.

(Answers: 1. ran, 2. run, 3. run, 4. ran, 5. run)

“Run” in Different English Variants (American vs. British)

Both American and British English use “run” similarly, but some expressions differ:

• American English: “He ran for governor.”
• British English: “He stood for election.”

The Role of “Run” in Phrasal Verbs

• Run away – To escape.
• Run down – To criticize.
• Run over – To hit with a vehicle.

“Run” in Different Tenses

Tense	Example Sentence
Present	I run every morning.
Past	I ran a marathon last year.
Present Perfect	I have run three races so far.
Past Perfect	I had run five miles before stopping.
Future	I will run in the competition.

Final Thoughts – You’ve Mastered “Run”!

Understanding the past tense (ran) and past participle (run) of “run” is essential for fluency in English. Many learners mix them up, but remembering that “ran” is simple past while “run” is used with helping verbs will make things much easier!

Keep practicing, try using “run” in daily conversations, and soon it’ll feel natural. Happy learning!