What Does “Run over sb” Mean?
“Run over sb” means to hit someone with a vehicle, usually by accident. It can also mean to review or explain something quickly.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “Run over sb” has two main meanings. First, it often means that a vehicle hits a person accidentally, which is a serious event. Second, it can be used in a more casual way to mean reviewing or going through information quickly. Understanding the “Run over sb meaning” is important because it shows how context changes the meaning. This phrase is common in both everyday conversations and formal situations, especially when talking about accidents or checking details.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Run over somebody
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B1
- Short meaning: To hit someone with a vehicle or to quickly review information
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Run over sb” is transitive, so it needs a direct object (someone or something).
- Separable: You can place the object after “run over” (e.g., The car ran over the man.)
- Not separable when the object is a pronoun: You must say “run over him,” not “run him over.”
How to Use Run over sb?
Use “run over sb” when talking about an accident where a vehicle hits a person. It is often used in news reports or stories about accidents. It can also be used metaphorically when you want to say you quickly reviewed or checked something, but this use is less common with “sb” (someone).
Examples
Here are some examples of “Run over sb in a sentence” to help you understand better:
- The cyclist was run over by a truck last night.
- Be careful! You almost ran over that pedestrian.
- Before the meeting, I ran over the notes with my assistant.
- The driver didn’t see the child and accidentally ran over him.
- She ran over the report quickly to prepare for the presentation.
Common Mistakes
People often confuse the order of words or the use of pronouns with “run over sb.”
- Incorrect: The car ran him over the street.
- Correct: The car ran over him in the street.
- Incorrect: He was run over by the car by accident.
- Correct: He was run over by the car accidentally.
Differences / Synonyms
“Run over sb” is similar to “hit sb,” but “run over” specifically involves a vehicle passing over someone. “Knock down” can also mean hitting someone with a vehicle but may imply pushing or causing them to fall.
- Run over: Vehicle passes over someone or something.
- Hit: General impact, not always with a vehicle.
- Knock down: To cause someone to fall, not always by a vehicle.
Common Collocations
When using “run over sb,” certain words often appear together to describe the situation more clearly.
- Run over a pedestrian: To hit a person walking on the street.
- Run over a child: To accidentally hit a young person.
- Run over by a car/truck: Specifies the type of vehicle involved.
- Run over someone accidentally: Emphasizes that it was not intentional.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of run over sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “run over sb”:
Anna: Did you hear about the accident on Main Street?
Ben: Yes, a man was run over by a delivery truck.
Anna: That’s terrible! Was he okay?
Ben: He was taken to the hospital, but I hope he recovers soon.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “run over sb”:
- The bus ________ a dog while turning the corner.
- She quickly ________ the report before the meeting.
- Be careful! You almost ________ that cyclist.
FAQ
- What does “run over sb” mean? It means to hit someone with a vehicle or to quickly review something.
- Can I separate the phrasal verb? Yes, but not when using pronouns.
- Is “run over” always about accidents? Mostly yes, but it can also mean reviewing information.
- What is the difference between “run over” and “hit”? “Run over” involves a vehicle passing over someone; “hit” is more general.
- Is “run over sb” formal or informal? It is used in both formal and informal contexts.
