RUN, RUN !!!!!

The word run requires special attention in the English langauge, as it has so many uses as a single word, in phrases and as the verb part of a phrasal verb also sometimes as a noun and a noun phrasal verb.  The etymology of the word comes, originally, from the Germanic langauge renwanan.  We can see an interesting link with the Rhine river in Germany.  For more details about the etymology of the word visit http://www.etymonline.com.


Back to the word run some say that it has more than 150 uses in the language, so I hope you find these definitions fun and useful.

Run is an irregular verb the past is ran and the past participle is run.  Its most common meaning is to move quickly with at least one foot off the ground.  Within this idea you can combine the word run with some prepositions:
run after someone or something when you want to catch it,
run for something, when you want to catch it, for example, a bus,
run into something when you hit it,
run on the spot, when you don't move.

We can also use the verb run when we talk about the operation and functioning of something.  For example:

my car is running well at the moment,
the buses run every 15 minutes,
run a business,
run a tight ship - a colloquial expression which means the business, house, school etc is properly organised and functions well.

It can be used to show when something will appear either in a newspaper or the TV:

The BBC have been running a documentary on the Artic.

Another way we can use this versitile verb is when we consider the flow of liquids.  Some examples are as follows:

you have to separate your whites from your colours in case the the colours run,
don't leave the tap running!
tears are running down her cheeks,
my nose is running.  Do you have a tissue?

We can also use the word run to illustrate the degree or quantity of something:

She is running a high temperature,
We are running low on fuel.  We need to stop for petrol,
The bad feeling between them runs deep.

There are many phrases and collocations with the verb run, perhaps too many to mention here, but here are my top ten verb uses :
to run for President,
to be running late,
to run a bath,
to run in the family,
to run a risk,
to run your fingers through your hair,
to be on the run,
to run for it,
to run something into the ground,
Ok 9 uese!

Some noun uses in phrases and collocations:
run of the mill,
in the long run,
to be out of the running,
to give someone the runaround.

The last four examples show the word run as a noun.  Here are a few more examples:

go for a run,
a run in my tights or stockings,
a chicken run,

The next section of this blog entry will skim the surface of the word run combined with a preposition to form a phrasal verb:

to run away from someone or something,
to run up a bill,
to run over someone with a vehicle,
to run down someone by criticising them,
to run out of something when it is finished,
to run through something with someone,
to run something by someone,
to run into someone on the street,

Please note that you can also use run away as a noun.  For example, a runaway.  Also, you can use run down as an adjective, as in a run down old building.
And finally, for this blog, it can be used like an adverb:

for six weeks running.

If I have missed any out please leave them in the comments.

Enjoy the song i have chosen to celebrate this word.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FrSsF7SJm4