phrasal verb · neutral
run on
UK/rʌn ɒn/US/rʌn ɑːn/run ON
speakingtask1task2
to continue for longer than expected (talk, speech); or to be powered by (a type of fuel)
Examples
“The discussion ran on for nearly two hours.”
“This generator runs on diesel.”
“Please don't let your answer run on; be concise.”
Band 8 sentence
“The seminar ran on much longer than scheduled, which left little time for questions.”
Collocations
- run on + fuel/type
- run on for + duration
Word family
run on vran on v (past)running on v‑ing
Common mistakes
The speech ran on diesel→The generator runs on diesel
He run on for an hour→He ran on for an hour
Say it for a higher band
5continue→6go on→7+run on
Synonyms
continue
Easily confused
continue
“The meeting continued after lunch.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In run …
Learn it with its set