Meaning & use
to run an errand
Last updated
Meaning
phraseidiom
to go out to do a small, practical job such as buying something or going to the bank
Grammar: Used as a verb phrase; often followed by 'for someone' or 'to a place'.
Patterns
- run an errand for someone
- run an errand to a place
- run errands
I need to run an errand for my mother — I'm going to the post office.
She ran an errand to the bank before work.
On Saturdays, I usually run errands like grocery shopping and picking up dry cleaning.
Word forms
| third person singular | runs an errand |
|---|---|
| past tense | ran an errand |
| past participle | run an errand |
| -ing form | running an errand |
Common combinations
- run an errand for someone
- Could you run an errand for me while I'm at work?
- run an errand to the bank
- He ran an errand to the bank to deposit a check.
- run errands
- I have to run errands all afternoon.
- a quick errand
- I just have to do a quick errand, and then I'll be home.
Synonyms and how they differ
- do a chore
- A chore is a regular household job like cleaning or washing; an errand is usually a trip outside the home.
- go on an errand
- This is a slightly more formal way to say the same thing, but 'run an errand' is more common and idiomatic.
Word family
- errand noun
- A short trip to do a small job, like buying something.
Commonly confused: to run an errand or arrant?
to run an errand vs arrant
Arrant is an old-fashioned adjective meaning complete or utter, as in 'arrant nonsense'. It sounds like errand but has nothing to do with it.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose one answer.
We say 'run an errand to a place' to show the destination. The other prepositions do not fit this pattern.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “to run an errand”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.