What are the definitions of “run over”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Explain quickly.
Could you RUN OVER that point again; I'm afraid I didn't quite understand it.
- 2Hit with a vehicle.
The driver couldn't stop in time and RAN the fox OVER when it ran in front of his car.
- 3Exceed a time limit.
The meeting RAN OVER by twenty minutes.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “run over”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb run over is to accidentally hit something or someone with a vehicle. For example, it can mean hitting an animal or a person while driving a car, truck, or other vehicle.
What are the different verb forms of “run over”?
| Root Verb | run over |
| Third Person Singular Present | runs over |
| Present Participle | running over |
| Simple Past | ran over |
| Past Participle | run over |
Example
Be careful not to run over any small animals while driving in the countryside.
Example
He always runs over the trash cans when he backs out of the driveway.
Example
She is running over the details of the project in her mind.
Example
Yesterday, the car ran over a squirrel that darted into the street.
Example
The cat had been run over by a car and was injured.
What kind of phrasal verb is “run over”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“run over” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
The car ran over the bicycle.
Example
She ran the presentation over quickly before the meeting.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“run over” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
The car ran over the bicycle.
Example
She ran the presentation over quickly before the meeting.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “run over”?
Good things to know
Does “run over” have an informal or formal tone?
Run over is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can also be used in more formal contexts, such as business meetings or presentations, depending on the specific situation.
