To run an errand means to take a short trip to complete a simple, necessary taskโsuch as buying groceries, dropping off mail, or picking up dry cleaning.
When you have multiple quick tasks to complete, the phrase becomes run errands.
What Counts as an Errand? (Common Examples)
An errand usually implies a short-distance, routine chore performed outside the home or workplace.
Standard Examples:
- Shopping: Picking up groceries, buying hardware supplies, or getting medication at the pharmacy.
- Services: Dropping off dry cleaning, going to the bank, or taking a package to the post office.
- Personal/Work Tasks: Delivering a document to a colleague or picking up lunch for an office team (running errands for someone).
What is NOT an errand?
Longer planned activities, recreational outings, or major trips (like attending a concert, going on vacation, or taking a 3-hour road trip) are not considered errands.
“Run Errands” vs. “Do Errands”: Which is Correct?
While both expressions are understood, “run errands” is far more common in everyday idiomatic English.
- Run Errands (Preferred): Used by standard native speakers in almost all regions. The verb run highlights the motion and quick execution of moving from place to place.
- Do Errands (Less Common): Technically correct, but sounds less natural to native ears. English speakers almost universally prefer run.
Tense Changes:
- Present Continuous: “I am running a few errands this morning.”
- Past Tense: “I ran some errands after work yesterday.”
- Future Tense: “I will run errands over the weekend.”
Common Misspellings and Pronunciation Note
Because the word errand (/หษr.ษnd/) is often spoken quickly in conversational English, non-native speakers and casual listeners frequently mishear it as the proper names Aaron or Erin:
- Incorrect: “running aarons,” “run arons,” “running arens,” “run an erin”
- Correct: running errands / run an errand
“Run Errands” vs. “Do the Shopping”
For non-native English speakers, the difference between running errands and doing the shopping can be confusing because both involve leaving the house to get necessary items. However, they serve distinct roles in English:
Errands Are Not Always Shopping
While an errand can involve going to a store, many errands involve service-based tasks where no purchasing happens at all.
- Errands: Can include tasks like dropping off mail at the post office, returning a library book, picking up dry cleaning, dropping off tax forms, or going to the bank.
- Shopping: Exclusively involves browsing, selecting, and purchasing physical goods.
What “Do the Shopping” Means in Everyday English
When native speakers say they need to “do the shopping” (or go shopping), context determines the type of activity:
- Routine Household Shopping (“Do the Shopping”): In daily conversation, doing the shopping almost always refers to routine, essential household purchases, primarily groceries, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and everyday personal care items. It implies a practical, regular chore.
- Discretionary / Leisure Shopping (“Go Shopping”): Saying “I’m going shopping” often implies browsing for non-essential items like clothing, electronics, home decor, or gifts.
How They Overlap
If you go out only to buy groceries, you can say you are doing the shopping, doing the grocery shopping OR running an errand.
However, as soon as your trip combines multiple different tasks (e.g., buying groceries, dropping off dry cleaning, and going to the bank), it becomes running errands.
Origin & Etymology
The phrase has been in continuous use since at least the late 18th century (latter half of the 1700s).
The noun errand comes from the Old English word รฆrende, meaning a message, mission, or official news. Historically, an “errand-boy” or messenger was someone sent to deliver an urgent verbal message or package.
As postal services and modern retail developed, the word shifted from “delivering a message” to completing any short, routine practical task outside the house. The verb run in this context means “to carry out” or execute an itinerary efficiently.
Video Presentation
Sentence Examples
โIโm going to skip lunch because Iโve got to run a few errands. I may get back a bit later than usual.โ
โWhat are you doing today?โ asked Errin. โOh, Iโm just going to run some errands and then do some house cleaning.โ
โI took this job because it seemed exciting but all I do is run errands for my boss all day.โ
โI have a couple of errands to run, mostly to the grocery store and the bank. Iโll call you later.โ
โSince the pandemic, I havenโt been running many errands. Iโm having everything delivered.โ
Similar and Related Expressions
- Out and About: Away from home attending to various everyday activities or leisure.
- Tie Up Loose Ends: Completing small, leftover tasks to finish a project or daily schedule.
- Chore: A routine household task (usually done inside the house, like cleaning or doing laundry, whereas errands are done outside).