Has Ran or Has Run – with Examples

John David

Has Ran or Has Run

Understanding the difference between “has ran” or “has run” is more important than you might think. Whether you’re writing a professional email, crafting an essay, or simply engaging in casual conversation, using the correct form of a verb can make a significant impact on the clarity and professionalism of your language.

In this detailed guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the verb run, its past tense, past participle, and common mistakes to avoid.

The Correct Form: Has Run vs. Has Ran

Understanding when to use “has run” or “has ran” is key to mastering verb tenses in English. These two forms of the verb run often confuse even experienced writers and speakers, but with a little explanation, the difference becomes clear.

In short:

  • “Has run” is correct because it uses the past participle form of the verb.
  • “Has ran” is incorrect because it incorrectly uses the simple past form of the verb when a past participle is required.

To help clarify the distinction, let’s break it down in the form of a table.

Verb FormCorrect UsageExample SentenceExplanation
Has RunCorrectShe has run every day this week.“Has run” is the present perfect form, used for actions that began in the past and have relevance to the present.
Has RanIncorrectShe has ran every day this week.“Has ran” is a common mistake. The verb “ran” is the simple past tense, not the past participle.
Has RunCorrectThey have run out of options.“Has run” in this sentence is used to describe an action completed in the past with present relevance.
Has RanIncorrectThey have ran out of options.“Ran” should be replaced with “run” because it’s the past participle form needed here.
Has RunCorrectI have run across a few obstacles.“Has run” refers to a completed action that has ongoing consequences or relevance.
Has RanIncorrectI have ran across a few obstacles.Again, the correct form is “has run”, not “has ran”, as the past participle is needed after “have” or “has”.

Why “Has Run” is Correct

Has Run


The verb run is irregular, meaning it does not follow the usual rules for forming the past tense (like walk → walked). Instead, run has these forms:

  • Base form: run
  • Past tense: ran
  • Past participle: run

The past participle (run) is required when using auxiliary verbs like “have” or “has” to form the present perfect tense, which is why “has run” is correct.

The Importance of the Past Participle

The past participle of run is “run”, not “ran”. It’s this form that is used with auxiliary verbs like “have”, “has”, or “had” to create perfect tenses (present perfect, past perfect, etc.).

Present Perfect Tense:

  • Has run – She has run in three marathons this year.
    (The action of running in marathons happened in the past but is relevant to the present.)

Past Perfect Tense:

  • Had run – By the time the race ended, he had run for over two hours.
    (The action of running was completed before another past event.)

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Why Proper Verb Tense Matters

Proper use of verb tense is essential in clear communication. When you correctly use the past tense or past participle of verbs, you indicate exactly when an action occurred. Incorrect usage can lead to confusion or even change the meaning of a sentence.

The Role of Verb Tense in Communication

Verb tense affects the time frame of an action:

  • Past tense refers to an action that happened in the past. Example: I ran yesterday.
  • Present perfect tense (has/have + past participle) refers to an action that has occurred at some point before the present moment and has relevance to the present. Example: I have run every morning this week.

The use of “has run” in present perfect tense, for instance, shows that the action of running started in the past but has relevance now.

Examples of Correct Usage of “Has Run” in Action

Examples of Correct Usage of 'Has Run' in action


Understanding how to use “has run” correctly can significantly improve your writing. Since “has run” is the present perfect form of the verb run, it refers to actions that were completed at an unspecified time before now or have relevance to the present moment. Here, we’ll break down 45 real-life examples to show how versatile “has run” can be in various contexts.

1. Physical Activity and Sports

  • She has run five miles today.
    (The action of running took place earlier today but is still relevant to the present.)
  • He has run in every marathon since 2015.
    (This shows a recurring action that started in the past and continues to have relevance now.)
  • I have run twice already this week.
    (Refers to a completed action within the current week.)
  • They have run the 100-meter race at least three times.
    (Indicates that they’ve participated multiple times in the past, with no specific end time.)
  • My dog has run away from home twice this month.
    (Shows an event that happened several times in a relatively recent timeframe.)

2. Business and Work-Related Contexts

  • The company has run several successful campaigns this year.
    (Implies that the company has successfully completed several campaigns, with a connection to the current year.)
  • The project has run over budget due to unforeseen circumstances.
    (Describes a project that has exceeded its planned budget, still relevant in the present context.)
  • The meeting has run longer than expected.
    (The meeting started in the past and continues to be relevant now, indicating it’s still going on or just finished.)
  • He has run the department for five years.
    (Refers to his leadership role that started in the past and continues to the present.)
  • The software update has run smoothly so far.
    (The update process began in the past, and its successful execution is still relevant now.)

3. Everyday Life and Activities

  • She has run the dishwasher already.
    (The task of running the dishwasher is completed, and its effect is still relevant.)
  • I have run out of milk again!
    (Refers to an action completed in the recent past, with a direct consequence to the present moment.)
  • We have run out of time to complete this project.
    (Indicates that time was consumed in the past, with an immediate effect on the present situation.)
  • The restaurant has run out of all its daily specials.
    (An event that occurred during the day and has a direct effect on what’s available at the restaurant now.)
  • He has run into traffic on his way to work.
    (This means he encountered traffic earlier, and it’s still impacting his current commute.)

4. Technology and Systems

  • The system has run into a technical error.
    (Indicates that a problem occurred in the past, but the consequences are still affecting the system now.)
  • The app has run perfectly since the last update.
    (Refers to the app’s smooth operation from the past to the present.)
  • The computer has run out of storage space.
    (Describes a situation that was caused earlier but is relevant to current usage.)
  • My phone has run low on battery after several hours of use.
    (Shows that the phone’s battery was used earlier, and it now requires charging.)
  • The program has run on a secure server since its launch.
    (Indicates that the program has been securely operating, with ongoing relevance to its functioning.)

5. In Health and Medical Contexts

  • The doctor has run several tests to determine the cause of the symptoms.
    (Refers to completed tests with ongoing relevance to the patient’s diagnosis.)
  • She has run a fever for three days now.
    (Describes a medical condition that started in the past and continues to affect her health.)
  • He has run through all his medical records to ensure there are no issues.
    (Indicates that he has completed a task of reviewing records that’s still relevant for his medical decision-making.)
  • The hospital has run a series of scans on the patient.
    (A series of scans was completed recently, with important results still relevant.)
  • I have run out of patience with this ongoing issue.
    (Indicates a completed loss of patience that affects the present moment.)

6. Personal Life and Relationships

  • We have run into some financial trouble recently.
    (Describes a situation that developed in the past but is still impacting the present.)
  • He has run away from home twice in the last month.
    (Indicates that he has run away before, with ongoing implications.)
  • She has run every morning since last summer.
    (Shows a habit that started in the past and is still relevant.)
  • They have run across an old friend from college while on vacation.
    (Describes a chance encounter that happened during the trip, with lasting effects.)
  • I have run into a problem with my car.
    (Refers to a problem that started in the past, but still exists and impacts the present.)

7. Travel and Transportation

  • The train has run late every day this week.
    (Indicates a recurring issue over a period, with relevance to the present.)
  • I have run out of gas on the highway.
    (Refers to an incident that happened, which is currently affecting the speaker’s journey.)
  • She has run into some issues with her flight.
    (Describes travel complications that arose in the past but are still affecting the present.)
  • They have run the bus service on a new route since the beginning of the month.
    (Indicates a change that took place in the past and is ongoing.)
  • I have run into a lot of traffic on my way to the airport.
    (Refers to a delay caused earlier that’s still influencing the speaker’s travel plans.)

8. Education and Learning

  • He has run several workshops for the company this year.
    (Describes multiple completed workshops, all of which are still relevant.)
  • I have run through the entire textbook in preparation for the exam.
    (Shows that the speaker has finished reviewing the material, and it’s relevant to their current situation.)
  • The class has run out of time before they could finish the lesson.
    (Indicates that time was consumed, and it’s impacting the completion of the lesson.)
  • The students have run through their presentation several times.
    (The students practiced their presentation multiple times, with ongoing relevance to the presentation.)
  • The university has run a number of successful programs this semester.
    (Describes ongoing programs that started in the past but continue to impact the semester.)

9. Financial Contexts

  • The company has run up a significant amount of debt over the last five years.
    (Refers to accumulated debt with relevance to current financial status.)
  • He has run out of funds to continue the project.
    (Describes a situation where funding was exhausted in the past, affecting the present project.)
  • The organization has run several fundraising events this quarter.
    (Indicates successful fundraising activities in the past with ongoing importance.)
  • My account has run low on available credit.
    (Shows that the account balance has been used up and still affects financial decisions.)
  • The business has run through its budget faster than anticipated.
    (Refers to an issue with funds that started earlier and impacts current spending.)

10. Creative and Entertainment Contexts

  • The play has run for three months now.
    (Describes the duration of a performance that started earlier and is still ongoing.)
  • The artist has run through several sketches before deciding on the final design.
    (Refers to the creative process in the past, still relevant to the final decision.)
  • The movie has run in theaters worldwide since its release.
    (Shows that the movie has been running globally and is still being shown.)
  • The band has run through their entire setlist for the concert tonight.
    (Describes practice sessions that happened before the present performance.)
  • The series has run for over a decade, with new seasons every year.
    (Describes a long-running show that started in the past and continues to have an impact now.)

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Common Mistakes to Avoid: “Has Ran” and “Have Ran”

Common Mistakes to Avoid


Even though “has ran” might seem natural to many speakers, especially in informal conversation, it is grammatically incorrect. The past participle of run is run, not ran.

Misuse of “Has Ran” vs. “Has Run”

Here’s why “has ran” is a mistake:

  • “Has” is a helping verb, which should be followed by the past participle (not the simple past).
  • “Has ran” mixes up the past participle (“run”) with the simple past tense (“ran”).

Examples:

  • Incorrect: He has ran out of time.
    (Should be: He has run out of time.)
  • Correct: She has run the race several times.
    (Here, “run” is the past participle, fitting correctly after the auxiliary verb “has.”)

Common Speaking Mistakes

In spoken English, people often slip into the habit of using “ran” instead of “run,” but be cautious in formal writing, especially in business or academic contexts. Misuse of verb tenses in writing can make the author seem less professional.

Tips for Improving Verb Tense Accuracy

To avoid common mistakes like “has ran”, here are some tips for improving your accuracy with verb tenses, especially with irregular verbs like “run.”

1. Understand Irregular Verbs

Irregular verbs do not follow the typical rules of conjugation, so it’s essential to learn them. The verb run is a classic example of an irregular verb, and its forms are:

  • Present: run
  • Past: ran
  • Past participle: run

2. Check Verb Forms

Before using verbs like run, always double-check which form you’re using, especially when it comes to past participles.

  • Have run: Correct (present perfect)
  • Has run: Correct (present perfect)
  • Have ran: Incorrect
  • Has ran: Incorrect

3. Use Grammar Tools

There are many online tools and apps, like Grammarly or Prewriting, that can help you spot tense errors automatically.

4. Practice Verb Forms in Sentences

One of the best ways to improve verb tense usage is by practicing. Write simple sentences with different verb tenses to get a feel for their structure.

  • I run every morning. (present)
  • I ran yesterday. (Simple past)
  • I have run for an hour. (Present perfect)

How to Use “Ran” and “Run” in the Past Tense

Since the past tense of “run” is “ran,” it’s essential to use it in the right context. The simple past tense ran is used when describing something that happened at a specific point in the past, without needing a connection to the present moment.

Examples:

  • Correct: I ran home after the storm started. (The action of running is completed, and it happened in the past.)
  • Incorrect: I have ran home yesterday. (This is incorrect because “have ran” mixes the present perfect with a specific past time, which doesn’t align grammatically.)

Common Confusion: “Has Ran or Has Run?”

The confusion between “has ran or has run” stems from the fact that the past tense and past participle forms sound similar. However, only “has run” is correct.

Here’s why:

  • Has run: Used with the auxiliary verb has or have to form the present perfect tense.
  • Has ran: Incorrect, because ran is the simple past, not the past participle.

Example:

  • Correct: She has run the marathon three times this year.
  • Incorrect: She has ran the marathon three times this year.

When to Use “Ran” vs. “Run” in Past Tense

The key to mastering the difference between “ran” and “run” is understanding when to use each form:

  • Ran is used for simple past tense.
  • Run is used as the past participle in present perfect constructions (has/have + past participle).

Key Points:

  • Ran is used by itself when referring to a completed action in the past.
    • I ran for 30 minutes yesterday.
  • Run follows the auxiliary verbs “has” or “have” to indicate an action that has happened and has relevance to the present.
    • She has run every morning this week.

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Conclusion: “Has Ran or Has Run?”

Mastering the distinction between “has ran” and “has run” can elevate the quality of your writing. In short, “has run” is always the correct form to use with the auxiliary verb “has.”

Understanding verb tenses, particularly irregular verbs like run, is crucial to crafting clear and grammatically correct sentences.

By practicing and paying close attention to the forms of verbs, you’ll avoid common mistakes, such as “he has ran out of it,” and improve the overall clarity and professionalism of your writing.

Additional Resources

If you’re interested in further improving your grammar skills, there are plenty of resources available:

  • Grammarly for real-time grammar checks.
  • The Elements of Style by Strunk and White for deeper insights into grammar and usage.
  • Merriam-Webster Dictionary for checking verb conjugations.

By incorporating these tips into your daily writing practice, you’ll find that choosing the right verb form will become second nature.

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