Run on
2 meanings · select one to explore
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Meaning 1 of 3
Definition
To be powered by a certain fuel, energy source, or system
Example sentence
My car runs on regular gas, not premium.
Real video usage
Three clips showing this meaning in natural speech.
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Common collocations
Natural word pairings to memorize.
Common pattern: run on + fuel/power (noun)
run on gas
run on electricity
run on batteries
run on solar power
run on caffeine
Separable usage
Can the object split the verb? Compare correct vs incorrect.
The car runs on gas. ✅ (Correct)
The car runs gas on. ❌ (Incorrect — inseparable, always stays together)
Meaning 1 of 3
Definition
To continue for longer than expected, or to talk without stopping
Example sentence
The speech ran on for over an hour.
Real video usage
Three clips showing this meaning in natural speech.
Don’t see captions? Click the CC button on the video to turn them on.
Don’t see captions? Click the CC button on the video to turn them on.
Don’t see captions? Click the CC button on the video to turn them on.
Common collocations
Natural word pairings to memorize.
Common pattern: run on + (for + time / about + topic)
run on and on
run on for hours
run on too long
run on about (something)
run on past midnight
Separable usage
Can the object split the verb? Compare correct vs incorrect.
The meeting ran on for hours. ✅ (Correct)
The meeting ran for hours on. ❌ (Incorrect — inseparable, always stays together)