Exhaust vs We're going to run out

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Exhaust

Top 5,000 (fairly common)C1noun

We're going to run out

Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: We're going to run out
 ExhaustWe're going to run out
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //ɪɡˈzɔːst//🇺🇸 //ɪɡˈzɔst//🇬🇧 //rʌn aʊt//🇺🇸 //rʌn aʊt//
MeaningThe state of being very tired or worn out.We will not have any more.
ExampleAfter the marathon, I felt complete exhaust and could barely stand.The team is concerned that we will run out of time before finishing the project.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 5,000 (fairly common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR levelC1-
Part of speechnoun
Collocationsmental exhaust, total exhaust, extreme exhaustrun out of time, run out of gas, run out of money, run out of patience, run out of ideas
Antonymsenergy, vitality, refreshment-
Common mistakesConfused with 'exhaustion', using it in non-physical contexts., Using it as a verb instead of a noun., Overusing in informal situations like casual conversation about being tired.Confusing 'run out' with 'run over', which has a different meaning., Omitting the object, e.g., saying 'We're going to run out' without specifying what is running out.
Usage notesCommonly used in both formal and informal contexts. Not typically used when referring to casual tiredness; better for extreme fatigue.Use this expression to describe the depletion of resources. It's appropriate in both casual and formal contexts, but is more common in spoken English.

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Exhaust
We're going to run out

Frequently asked questions: Exhaust vs We're going to run out

What's the difference between Exhaust and We're going to run out?

Exhaust: The state of being very tired or worn out. We're going to run out: We will not have any more.

Which is more common: Exhaust and We're going to run out?

We're going to run out is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Exhaust: After the marathon, I felt complete exhaust and could barely stand. We're going to run out: The team is concerned that we will run out of time before finishing the project.

Can I use Exhaust and We're going to run out interchangeably?

Not always. Exhaust and We're going to run out are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

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