Can "run sb over" be used in the present tense?

Yes, but it usually describes ongoing or future actions, e.g., "Don’t run anyone over."

Is "run sb over" always accidental?

Most of the time, yes. It usually refers to unintentional accidents.

Can you say "run over sb" instead of "run sb over"?

Yes, both are correct and commonly used.

Is "run sb over" only used for people?

Mostly, but it can also be used for animals, e.g., "The cat was run over."

What is a polite way to say "run sb over"?

You can say "hit someone with a vehicle" or "accidentally struck someone."

Run sb over Meaning, Examples & How to Use This Phrasal Verb

May 29, 2025

—

by

Michael Carter

in English Phrasal Verbs

What Does “Run sb over” Mean?

“Run sb over” means to hit someone with a vehicle, usually by accident. It is often used to describe an incident where a person is struck by a car or truck.

Introduction

The phrase “run sb over” is a common English phrasal verb used to describe situations where a driver accidentally hits a person with a vehicle. This expression is often heard in news reports, conversations about accidents, or warnings about road safety. Understanding the run sb over meaning is important because it helps learners talk about incidents involving vehicles and pedestrians clearly and accurately. It also shows how phrasal verbs can combine simple words to create specific meanings. In everyday English, “run sb over” is mainly used in a negative context, as being run over is dangerous and unwanted. However, it is essential to know how to use this phrase correctly to avoid confusion and to describe events precisely.

Quick Info Box

Phrasal verb: run sb over (run somebody over)
Type: Transitive
Level: B1 (Intermediate)
Short meaning: To hit a person with a vehicle

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Run sb over” is a separable phrasal verb. This means you can place the object (sb = somebody) between “run” and “over” or after both words:

run somebody over
run over somebody

Both forms are correct and commonly used. The verb “run” is followed by the object (someone), then the particle “over.” This verb is always transitive, so it needs an object (someone who is hit).

How to Use “Run sb over”?

You use “run sb over” when talking about someone being hit by a vehicle. It usually refers to accidents involving cars, trucks, or other vehicles. This phrase is often used in the past tense because accidents are events that happened. You can also use it in different tenses depending on the context.

Examples:

He ran over a pedestrian yesterday.
Be careful not to run anyone over when you reverse.
She was almost run over by a speeding car.

Examples

Imagine a news report about a traffic accident. The reporter might say:

“A man was run over by a taxi last night near the city center.”

He accidentally ran over his neighbor’s cat while backing out of the driveway.
The driver didn’t see the cyclist and ran him over at the intersection.
She was very lucky not to be run over while crossing the street.
Police are investigating how the victim was run over on the highway.
Run sb over in a sentence: “The careless driver ran over a pedestrian outside the mall.”

Common Mistakes

People sometimes confuse “run sb over” with similar phrases or use it incorrectly. Here are some examples:

Incorrect: “He ran over.” (No object; incomplete meaning)
Correct: “He ran over the dog.”
Incorrect: “She run over the man.” (Wrong verb form)
Correct: “She ran over the man.”
Incorrect: “They run over by a car.” (Missing subject or wrong tense)
Correct: “They were run over by a car.”

Remember, “run sb over” always needs an object, and the verb form must match the tense.

Differences / Synonyms

There are other phrases similar to “run sb over,” but they have different meanings or uses:

Hit sb: More general; can mean hitting with any object, not just vehicles.
Knock sb down: Can mean hitting someone physically or causing them to fall, not necessarily with a vehicle.
Crash into sb: Usually means a collision, but often between vehicles, not specifically hitting a person.

“Run sb over” specifically means hitting someone with a vehicle, which makes it more precise.

Common Collocations

When using “run sb over,” certain words often appear together. These collocations help clarify meaning:

Run over a pedestrian: Hitting a person walking.
Run over a cyclist: Hitting someone riding a bike.
Run over a child: Accidentally hitting a young person.
Run over by a car/truck: Specifies the vehicle involved.
Run over accidentally: Shows it was unintentional.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of run sb over:

Real-life Dialogue

Here is a short conversation using “run sb over”:

Anna: Did you hear about the accident on Main Street?

John: Yes, someone was run over by a delivery truck.

Anna: That’s terrible! Was the person okay?

John: The driver stopped immediately and called for help. Luckily, the victim is recovering.

Practice

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “run sb over”:

Yesterday, a car ________ a man near the park.
Be careful when you reverse so you don’t ________ anyone.
She was almost ________ by a speeding bus.
The driver didn’t see the child and ________ him.

FAQs

Q: Can “run sb over” be used in the present tense?
A: Yes, but it usually describes ongoing or future actions, e.g., “Don’t run anyone over.”
Q: Is “run sb over” always accidental?
A: Most of the time, yes. It usually refers to unintentional accidents.
Q: Can you say “run over sb” instead of “run sb over”?
A: Yes, both are correct and commonly used.
Q: Is “run sb over” only used for people?
A: Mostly, but it can also be used for animals, e.g., “The cat was run over.”
Q: What is a polite way to say “run sb over”?
A: You can say “hit someone with a vehicle” or “accidentally struck someone.”