Phrasal verbs "be out of" vs "run out of"

Differences between be out of and run out of

Be out of means to have no more of something, while run out of means to use up or exhaust the supply of something.

Meanings and Definitions: be out of vs run out of

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Be out of

• 1. Have no more left.

  We're OUT OF coffee so I'll have to go and get some.

Run out of

• 1. Have none left.

  We've RUN OUT OF sugar; I'm going to the shops for some.

Usage Examples: be out of, run out of in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

be out of

Example

We are out of milk, so I need to buy some more.

Example

She is out of time to finish her project.

run out of

Example

We run out of milk often because we drink a lot of coffee.

Example

She always runs out of printer ink at the worst times.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Be out of

have none left

To have no more of something.

Example

I'm sorry, we have none left of that item in stock.

be depleted

To have been used up or exhausted.

Example

The water supply was depleted after the long drought.

be lacking

To not have enough of something.

Example

The recipe was lacking flavor without the proper seasoning.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Run out of

use up

To exhaust the supply of something.

Example

I used up all my savings on the trip to Europe.

exhaust the supply of

To use up or deplete the available amount of something.

Example

The store exhausted the supply of hand sanitizer during the pandemic.

be depleted of

To have used up or exhausted the supply of something.

Example

The team was depleted of energy after playing two games back-to-back.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “be”

• be out
• be away
• be cut out for
• be after
• be up to

Phrasal Verbs with “run”

• run around
• run up against
• run after
• run in
• run up on

Phrasal Verbs with “out of”

• whip out of
• wiggle out of
• duck out of
• get out of
• back out of

Differences in be out of vs run out of: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: be out of or run out of?

Both be out of and run out of are commonly used in daily conversation. However, run out of is more frequently used because it describes a specific action of using up something.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of be out of and run out of

Be out of and run out of are both informal phrases that are suitable for everyday conversations. However, in more formal settings, it's better to use alternative expressions to convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of be out of and run out of

The tone of be out of and run out of can differ based on context. Be out of often carries a neutral or matter-of-fact tone when referring to the absence of something, while run out of can carry a sense of urgency or inconvenience when referring to the depletion of something.

be out of & run out of: Synonyms and Antonyms

Be out of

Synonyms

• depleted
• exhausted
• lacking
• finished
• gone
• unavailable
• empty

Antonyms

• available
• plentiful
• adequate
• abundant
• in stock
• sufficient

Run out of

Synonyms

• exhaust
• deplete
• consume
• drain
• use up
• finish
• empty

Antonyms

• replenish
• refill
• restock
• renew
• replace
• regain
• recover