Phrasal Verb: Run into

Phrasal verbs are like a team. They are made of two parts that work together to create a new meaning. For run into, we have the verb run and the preposition into. When they sit next to each other, they don't mean you are physically running fast. Instead, they mean "to encounter." This specific phrasal verb is "inseparable." This is a fancy way of saying the two words must stay together. You cannot put the person's name in the middle. You can't say "I ran my friend into." That sounds like you hit them with a car! You must always keep run and into side-by-side. Think of them as best friends who refuse to hold hands with anyone else. If you separate them, the meaning breaks.

1. 1To use this correctly, follow these simple steps:
2. 2Start with your Subject (I, You, He, She, They).
3. 3Add the verb run in the correct tense. Use run for the present, runs for he/she, and ran for the past.
4. 4Add the word into immediately after.
5. 5Finish with the person or the problem you met.
6. 6Example: I (Subject) + ran (Past Tense) + into (Preposition) + my boss (Person).

You should use run into in three main situations. First, use it for unplanned social meetings. If you are ordering food and see a cousin, you ran into them. Second, use it when you experience an unexpected problem. If you are fixing your computer and it suddenly breaks more, you ran into a problem. Third, use it in casual conversations to tell stories. It adds a bit of excitement to your sentences. Imagine you are in a job interview and they ask how you handle stress. You could say, "When I run into problems, I stay calm." It shows you have a great vocabulary! It is perfect for small talk, emails to friends, or describing your day.

Do not use run into if you planned the meeting. If you have a calendar invite for coffee at 2:00 PM, you are "meeting" your friend, not running into them. If you use it for a planned event, people will be very confused. They will think you forgot about the plan! Also, be careful using it for physical objects. While you can physically run into a wall, this usually means you actually hit it with your body. In most cases, we use this phrase for people and abstract problems. Finally, don't use it in very formal legal documents. It is a bit too casual for a court of law, but it is perfect for almost everywhere else.

The biggest mistake is trying to split the verb. Many people try to say I ran my brother into at the park. This is incorrect. Always keep them together: I ran into my brother. Another mistake is using the wrong preposition. Some people say run to or run in. Those mean completely different things! Run to is physical movement toward a goal. Run into is about the surprise. Also, remember the past tense. Because run is an irregular verb, the past is ran. Don't say runned. That is a classic mistake that even kids make, but you are smarter than that! Think of it like a grammar traffic light; if you see a person in the middle of the phrase, the light is red. Stop and move them to the end.

You might wonder: "What is the difference between run into and meet?" It is all about the plan. Meet is a general word. You can meet someone for the first time, or meet them for a planned lunch. Run into is specifically for the "Oops! I didn't expect to see you here" moments. It is also different from bump into. Actually, bump into is almost the same! They are like twins. Bump into is just a tiny bit more informal. If you want to sound very natural, you can use either one. However, run into is slightly more common when talking about problems or difficulties. You run into a technical issue, you don't usually bump into one.