0
Deborahjeong Posted 8 years ago
Grammar

Run a light or run the light

Armed only with his intelligence, a book on electricity, and some plastic pipes, Kamkwamba built his first windmill, which generated enough power to [ run a light/ run the light]in his room.
Doesn't the phrase run a light mean you pass a red light? Which one is correct, run a light or run the light in the given sentence? Could you help me clarify it? Thanks.
  

Top answer

deborahjeong Doesn't the phrase run a light mean you pass a red light? That is one meaning, yes. And the same for 'run the light'.

— Mister Micawber

  • deborahjeong Doesn't the phrase run a light mean you pass a red light?
  • That is one meaning, yes.
  • And the same for 'run the light'.
  • deborahjeong Which one is correct, run a light or run the light in the given sentence?
  • Either is fine there.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

4 Answers
0
deborahjeongDoesn't the phrase run a light mean you pass a red light?

That is one meaning, yes. And the same for 'run the light'.

deborahjeongWhich one is correct, run a light or run the light in the given sentence?

Either is fine there.

0
0
deborahjeongwhich generated enough power to [ run a light/ run the light]in his room.

"Run" means to "operate" in that sentence.

"Run a light" is an idiom which means that a driver did not stop at a traffic light that had turned red. This is a major cause of accidents at intersections.

0
0
deborahjeongwindmill

Wind turbine https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_turbine would be more appropriate in this context.

0
0
deborahjeonggenerated enough power to [ run a light/ run the light]in his room.

to run a light in his room ~ to operate one of the lights in his room
to run the light in his room ~ to operate the only light in his room

deborahjeongDoesn't the phrase run a light mean you pass a red light?
0

Related Questions