How to Use Ran vs Run (Explained, Examples & Worksheet)

Published January 15, 2025

To run is the simple present tense. Ran is the simple past tense form of run, and run is also the past participle form of the verb.

Past Tense Of

How to Use Ran vs Run (Explained, Examples & Worksheet)

Forms of run used in text messages. — Forms of *run* used in text messages.

What's the past tense of "run"?

The simple past tense of run is ran, and the past participle is run. Use ran for simple past and run for past participle forms.

Definition of run

The Oxford Learner's Dictionary defines run as "to move using your legs, going faster than when you walk." It's used in both literal and figurative senses, from physical movement to managing operations.

The past tense of run is ran.

The past participle of run is run.

Verb forms of 'run'

Simple Cont. Perfect Perfect Cont.

Present

I/you/they run • He/she/it runs

Past

I/you/they ran • He/she/it ran

Future

I/you/they will run • He/she/it will run

Present

I am/you are running • He/she/it is running

Past

I was/you were running • He/she/it was running

Future

I/you will be running • He/she/it will be running

Present

I/you have run • He/she/it has run

Past

I/you had run • He/she/it had run

Future

I/you will have run • He/she/it will have run

Present

I have been running • He/she/it has been running

Past

I had been running • He/she/it had been running

Future

I will have been running • He/she/it will have been running

Is 'run' a regular or irregular verb?

Irregular Past tense: ran

Run is an irregular verb. Its past tense is ran and its past participle is run.

When to use 'ran' vs. 'run'

Simple past: "He ran home from school in tears."

Past participle: "He had run as fast as he could, but still hadn't caught up to his friends."

Use ran for simple past tense, and run for past participle with auxiliary verbs like have/has/had.

Similar irregular verbs

Other irregular verbs that follow a similar pattern to run:

run

Past: ran

Past part: run

begin

Past: began

Past part: begun

swim

Past: swam

Past part: swum

come

Past: came

Past part: come

Sentence examples: run, ran, run

Run (present tense)

• Try to run round the block a few times every morning.

• She can run really fast.

• The children spent the morning running around in the park.

Ran (past simple)

• She ran quickly downstairs.

• He ran out of the house.

• Billy turned the corner and ran headlong into Mrs Bradley.

Run (present or past perfect)

• They've seen us! Run for your life!

• We've run out of tea.

• He had run as fast as he could.

Synonyms & nearby words

Synonyms for run

jog sprint dash race hurry rush

Nearby phrases

still waters run deep (a calm demeanor often conceals deep emotions or knowledge) to run a tight ship (to manage something well) to run around like a chicken with its head cut off (describes someone panicking or being erratic) run in the family (a personality trait typical within their family) run into a stone wall (reach a plateau or unable to make further progress) run someone ragged (tire someone out completely) to run something up (to charge someone, get the bill/receipt)

Origin of the verb run

From etymology online on run (v.):

Old English, “move swiftly by using the legs, go on legs more rapidly than walking,” also “make haste, hurry; be active, pursue or follow a course,” and, of inanimate things, “to move over a course.”

Worksheet: Ran vs. run

FAQs

What is the simple past of "run"?

According to this post, the simple past tense of the verb "run" is "ran". An example from the text is: "They turned and ran when they saw us coming."

Is the verb "run" regular?

No, the post states that "run" is an irregular verb because its past forms do not end in "-ed". Regular verbs add "-ed" to form their past tenses.

What is the past participle of "run"?

The post says the past participle form of the verb "run" is "run". This form is used with auxiliary verbs like "had", as in the example: "They had run five miles before breakfast."

When do I use "ran" vs "run"?

The post clarifies that "ran" is the simple past tense (He ran home), while "run" is the past participle form used with auxiliary verbs (They had run five miles).

Does "run" (participle) need helpers?

Yes, the post explains that the past participle form of a verb, such as "run", uses auxiliary or helping verbs like "has", "have", or "had" to form perfect tenses.