Run/race/dash/rush
- Thread starter 99bottles
- Start date
Nothing, really. They all just mean to move quickly. "Runs" could mean literally running, but not necessarily.
I'm asking because someone on Facebook told me my writing is bland and suggested some alternatives for run. How can I decide when to use each?
It is tricky. Native speakers get a feel for which word to use through long exposure to the language, so we are familiar with what words are used in what situations. In your sentences, I imagine the closet to be close at hand, and the person reaches the closet before her pursuer even knows she is there, so "races" seems inappropriate. "Dash" is particularly associated with short distances, so this is the one I would choose, but you have not done badly at all coming up with those alternatives.
Some dictionaries, notably Lexico, give a large number of example sentences. These provide a better guide to usage than merely looking at definitions.
Some dictionaries, notably Lexico, give a large number of example sentences. These provide a better guide to usage than merely looking at definitions.
How close is she to the janitor's closet? If she's close, then 'ducks into the janitor's closet' might work.
In my opinion, any of these is OK in this sentence.
I think 'duck' would work if she can get to the door in three or four strides, the equivalent of a couple of seconds.
Or you could avoid how she gets in altogether: She looks around, desperately trying to find somewhere to hide. The janitor's closet -- in two seconds she's inside, pulling the door shut behind her, trying not to knock over the brooms leaning against the wall.
There are things you can do to "flavor" your writing beyond playing with synonyms. You can for example, use adverbs to describe the verb more accurately:
Finally, she runs/rushes/dashes/races into the janitor's closet.
She silently runs towards the janitor's closet.
She desperately rushes towards.....
She dashes like a prey towards.....
Fleet of foot, she races madly towards......
etc
There are also many other ways you can modify your basic sentence to give it "character"
Finally, she runs/rushes/dashes/races into the janitor's closet.
She silently runs towards the janitor's closet.
She desperately rushes towards.....
She dashes like a prey towards.....
Fleet of foot, she races madly towards......
etc
There are also many other ways you can modify your basic sentence to give it "character"
Could you please tell me whether you would replace any of these synonyms in the sentences below? (All these sentences are from scenes of pursuit.)
She reaches the top of the stairs. She catches her breath for a second. Then she begins racing down the corridor.
She dashes into the janitor's closet and locks the door behind her.
Catching the pursuer off guard, she manages to push him back. Then she turns around and starts running as fast as she can.
They're okay, but I see what the person on Facebook means.
I'm being specific and describing what I see:
She gets to the top step, takes a deep breath, and races down the corridor.
I'm being specific and describing what I see:
She gets to the top step, takes a deep breath, and races down the corridor.
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