Meaning trap
run into
encounter difficulties
to unexpectedly experience or face problems, difficulties, or obstacles, especially in a project, process, or plan.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
to unexpectedly experience or face problems, difficulties, or obstacles, especially in a project, process, or plan.
'run into' also has the more basic meaning 'meet by chance'; this is the advanced sense.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
The company ran into financial difficulties after the market crash.
Many students run into problems when adapting to a new educational system, particularly if the teaching style is very different from what they are used to.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: We ran into with some problems.
Say: We ran into some problems.
'Run into' takes the object directly — no 'with'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Run into' is the everyday verb for hitting problems; 'encountered unforeseen complications' is formal.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
run into + trouble
- problems
- trouble
- difficulties
- debt
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- run into (meet by chance) — 'run into' also has the more basic meaning 'meet by chance'; this is the advanced sense.