Phrasal verb
run over
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
run over
Past
ran over
Past participle
run over
Definition
phrasal verb. to hit someone or something with a vehicle and drive over them.
phrasal verb. to strike and pass over a person, animal, or object with a vehicle. Transitive and optionally separable, though frequently used in the passive voice.
Examples
“Please be careful not to run over the toys on the driveway.”
“The driver was distracted by his phone and nearly ran over a cyclist at the intersection.”
“The investigation concluded that the driver had insufficient time to brake before he ran over the heavy debris that had fallen from the truck ahead.”
Examples
simple
“Please be careful not to run over the toys on the driveway.”
contextual
“The driver was distracted by his phone and nearly ran over a cyclist at the intersection.”
complex
“The investigation concluded that the driver had insufficient time to brake before he ran over the heavy debris that had fallen from the truck ahead.”
Usage
This phrase is most often used in the passive voice when the victim of the accident is the subject of the sentence.
Teaching tip
Distinguish this from 'run into', which means to collide with something without necessarily passing over it, and 'run through', which means to review.
Pitfall
The poor dog was runned over by a speeding car.
The poor dog was run over by a speeding car.
The past participle of the irregular verb 'run' is 'run', not 'runned'.
Phrasal verb
Particles
over
Separability
optional
Pattern
run + over + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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