Which one is correct?
"I ran out of money" or "I run out of money"?

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I ran out of money

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that someone has used up all their money in the past.

This phrase is used to talk about a situation where someone has already spent all their money. It is in the past tense.

Examples:

  • I ran out of money last week and had to borrow some from a friend.
  • She ran out of money while traveling and had to cut her trip short.

Alternatives:

  • I have run out of money
  • I had run out of money
  • I will run out of money
  • I am running out of money
  • I would run out of money

I run out of money

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that someone is currently running out of money or that it is a regular occurrence.

This phrase is used to talk about a situation where someone is currently using up all their money or that it happens regularly. It is in the present tense.

Examples:

  • I run out of money every month before my paycheck arrives.
  • She runs out of money quickly because she loves to shop.

Alternatives:

  • I am running out of money
  • I will run out of money
  • I have run out of money
  • I had run out of money
  • I would run out of money
Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "I ran out of money" is past tense and is used to describe a situation where someone has already used up all their money. "I run out of money" is present tense and is used to describe a situation that is currently happening or happens regularly.

Last Updated: March 24, 2024

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