1 B1 neutral
To continue for longer than planned or expected
"The meeting ran on for two hours longer than scheduled."
inseparable
run on
B1 neutral inseparable transitive/intransitive
To continue for longer than expected, to talk for too long, or to operate using a particular fuel or power source
In plain English
To keep going too long, to talk and talk without stopping, or what makes an engine or machine work
What does "run on" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
To talk for too long without stopping, often about unimportant things
"He ran on about his holiday for so long that everyone stopped listening."
inseparable
3 A2 neutral
To operate using a particular type of fuel or power source
"This electric car runs on a single charge for over 300 miles."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To continue running/moving — fairly transparent
Actually means
To keep going too long, to talk and talk without stopping, or what makes an engine or machine work
Usage tip
The 'power source' sense is common in technical and everyday contexts ('runs on electricity'). The 'talk too long' sense is informal. A 'run-on sentence' in grammar derives from this verb.
Words that pair with "run on"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
electricity battery petrol diesel solar schedule
How to conjugate "run on"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
run on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
runs on
he/she/it
Past simple
ran on
yesterday
Past participle
run on
have + pp
-ing form
running on
continuous
Hear "run on" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "run on" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.