run out / run out of something / be out of something

@TaeBbongE posted:

My question is,
1) "Run out of something" can be used with Somebody as a subject?
2) "Run out" can be used with Something as a subject?

Meanwhile 3) "be out of something" can be used with either Somebody or Something as a subject?

Hi, TaeBbongE—I assume that you realize that when a dictionary uses "something" or "somebody" in such definitions, they are not referring to the words "somebody" or "something" but to other nouns that stand for people and things. The answer to all of your questions here is "yes." For example:

• I ran out of gas.
• My car ran out of gas.
• I am out of gas.
• My car is out of gas.

Dear David,

Okay . I guess depending on 1) using <of + something>, 2) which one is a subject between somebody and something and 3) context, a sentence can be differently understood, am I right?

.

A) We ran out of fuel.

:  When a subject is someone, "of + something" should be used.

.

B) Could I have a cigarette? I seem to have run out (of a cigarette).

: However, the above sentence is the case readers can expect "of toilet papers" to have been omitted and it is to avoid repetition.

Actually just saying "I ran out" looks weird because "I=a human being" cannot be all consumed.

.

C) There were no toilet papers. Toilet papers ran out.

: When a subject is something, and if there is no "of+something", it means the subject(something) is all used.

.

D) A restroom ran out of toilet papers.

: I can also say like this.

.

.

Furthermore, I think the following sentences are also possible.

E) Could I have a cigarette? I am out (of a cigarette).

: It is better to say "I am out of a cigarette".

.

F) There were no toilet papers. Toilet papers were out.

: it is also possible, right? It means Toilet papers were all used. F) is nearly similar to C).

.

G) A restroom was out of toilet papaers.

: It is the same as D).

.

P.S: A) and B) are from https://www.oxfordlearnersdict.../run-out_1?q=run+out

@TaeBbongE posted:

A) We ran out of fuel.

:  When a subject is someone, "of + something" should be used.

That sentence is fine.

@TaeBbongE posted:

B) Could I have a cigarette? I seem to have run out (of a cigarette).

: However, the above sentence is the case readers can expect "of toilet papers" to have been omitted and it is to avoid repetition.

Actually just saying "I ran out" looks weird because "I=a human being" cannot be all consumed.

A smoker doesn't run out of a cigarette. He runs out of cigarettes (plural).

@TaeBbongE posted:

C) There were no toilet papers. Toilet papers ran out.

: When a subject is something, and if there is no "of+something", it means the subject(something) is all used.

That example doesn't work. "Toilet paper" is noncount. You can say:

C1) There was no toilet paper. It ran out.
C2) There was no toilet paper. We ran out of it.

@TaeBbongE posted:

D) A restroom ran out of toilet papers.

: I can also say like this.

That example is awkward but OK, except for your incorrect usage of "toilet papers." Normally, we'd say: "The restroom is out of toilet paper."

@TaeBbongE posted:

Furthermore, I think the following sentences are also possible.

E) Could I have a cigarette? I am out (of a cigarette).

: It is better to say "I am out of a cigarette".

.

F) There were no toilet papers. Toilet papers were out.

: it is also possible, right? It means Toilet papers were all used. F) is nearly similar to C).

.

G) A restroom was out of toilet papaers.

: It is the same as D).

.

P.S: A) and B) are from https://www.oxfordlearnersdict.../run-out_1?q=run+out

All of them are wrong (see above).

Thank for your teaching.

.

A) We ran out of fuel. (O)
B2) He runs out of cigarettes (plural). (O)
C1) There was no toilet paper. It ran out. (O)
C2) There was no toilet paper. We ran out of it. (O)
D) A restroom ran out of toilet paper. (▲ Okay, but not good)
F1) Toilet paper was out. (O or X ??? I still don't know...)
G) A restroom was out of toilet paper. (O)

.

Now I think I am nearly getting to know how to use "run out of something" and "be out of something.

I guess I have to clearly say what is consumed, which is better.

Depending on the condition that a subject is a human being or the subject is something, I can say like theses.

For example)

There was no toilet paper in a restroom.

.

-Toilet paper ran out.

-Toilet paper was out. (→ Possible??? I am not sure)

.

-Mr. Kim ran out of toilet paper.

-Mr. Kim was out of toilet paper.

.

-A restroom ran out of toilet paper.(▲ Okay, but not good)

-A restroom was out of toilet paper.