Meaning & use
running errands
Last updated
UK/ˌrʌnɪŋ ˈerəndz/
US/ˌrʌnɪŋ ˈerəndz/
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
Going out to do small practical jobs, such as shopping, posting letters or collecting items.
Grammar: Usually plural: running errands; the singular is run an errand.
Patterns
- run errands for someone
- spend time running errands
I spent Saturday morning running errands in town.
She is out running errands and will be back at noon.
He earns pocket money by running errands for his neighbors.
Word forms
| third person singular | runs errands |
|---|---|
| past tense | ran errands |
| past participle | run errands |
| -ing form | running errands |
Common combinations
- run errands for someone
- I run errands for my grandmother.
- spend the day running errands
- We spent the day running errands.
- busy running errands
- She's busy running errands before the trip.
- quick errands
- I have a few quick errands to run.
Synonyms and how they differ
- doing chores
- Chores are tasks around the house, while errands involve going out.
- doing odd jobs
- Odd jobs are varied small tasks, often paid, and not always trips outside.
- shopping
- Shopping is only buying things, while errands also include posting, banking and similar trips.
Word family
Commonly confused: running errands or erring?
running errands vs erring
Erring means making mistakes and is not related to errands.
Practice
Which activity is an example of running errands?
Choose one answer.
Running errands means doing short practical jobs outside, such as posting and shopping. The other options are not errands.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “running errands”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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