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Marc2010 Posted 16 years ago
Vocabulary

Meet somebody by accident > Phrasal verbs

Hi guys,
When I meet a friend by accident what do I say?

I ran into a friend of mine.

OR

I ran across a friend of mine.

Guess both is somehow suitable but what's the difference?

Thanks!
Marc
  

Top answer

Hi, Both are OK, but I much more often hear 'ran into'. To me, 'ran across' suggests a little bit that you were searching for something or someone. 'Ran across' is also commonly used for things, but 'ran into' is used for things less often.

— Clive

  • Hi, Both are OK, but I much more often hear 'ran into'.
  • To me, 'ran across' suggests a little bit that you were searching for something or someone.
  • 'Ran across' is also commonly used for things, but 'ran into' is used for things less often.
  • Clive
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5 Answers
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Hi,

Both are OK, but I much more often hear 'ran into'.



To me, 'ran across' suggests a little bit that you were searching for something or someone.



'Ran across' is also commonly used for things, but 'ran into' is used for things less often.



Clive
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Clive Hi,Both are OK, but I much more often hear 'ran into'. To me, 'ran across' suggests a little bit that you were searching for something or someone. 'Ran across' is also commonly used for things, but 'ran into' is used for things less often. Clive
Since we can't yet "verify" with the new system, I'll simply say that I agree.
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Hello Clive and Philip,

Thanks!

Regards,
Marc
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Marc2010what's the difference?
I would say "ran into a friend of mine", but "ran across some useful information in a magazine".

It seems that into goes better with people, and across goes better with objects or abstract entities.

CJ
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For use with objects, entities, situatons etc., I'm more familar with "I came across" than "I ran across".
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