Meaning trap
run into
meet by chance
to meet someone unexpectedly, usually by accident.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
to meet someone unexpectedly, usually by accident.
Another meaning of 'run into' is 'hit or collide with'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
I ran into my old teacher at the supermarket yesterday.
Last weekend, I ran into an old friend while I was shopping in the city centre. We hadn't seen each other for years, so it was a nice surprise.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: I ran into with my teacher in town.
Say: I ran into my teacher in town.
'Run into' takes the person directly — no 'with'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Run into' is the everyday verb for meeting someone by chance; 'encountered an acquaintance' is formal.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
run into + person
- an old friend
- my neighbour
- him
- someone I knew
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- run into (hit or collide with) — Another meaning of 'run into' is 'hit or collide with'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.