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A2At the Pharmacy

Running Out of Medicine: Present Perfect Practice

Phrasal Verb: run out of |Grammar: Present Perfect

Objective

Students will understand and use the phrasal verb 'run out of' with the present perfect tense to talk about needing medication refills at the pharmacy.

Article

Many people have run out of their medicine at home. When you run out of medicine, you need to go to the pharmacy quickly. I have run out of my headache pills twice this month. My friend has also run out of her allergy medicine. The pharmacy has run out of some medicines before, so it is important to check early. I have just run out of my prescription, so I called the pharmacy to ask for a refill. When you have run out of your medicine, do not wait too long to get more. It is better to plan ahead so you do not run out of important medicine. Many people have run out of medicine because they forget to check their supplies. Have you ever run out of your medicine? If yes, you know how important it is to get more as soon as possible.

Grammar Explanation

Meaning

The phrasal verb 'run out of' means to have no more of something left.

Grammar Note

The present perfect tense (have/has + past participle) is used to talk about actions or experiences that happened at an unspecified time before now and often affect the present.

Usage Tips

  • Use 'have run out of' to describe something you no longer have now.
  • Combine 'run out of' with nouns like 'medicine', 'pills', or 'supplies'.
  • Use present perfect to show the recent or current effect of running out.

Examples

I have run out of my cold medicine, so I need to buy more.

Talking about no medicine left now

She has run out of allergy pills this morning.

Recent time, medicine finished

They have run out of painkillers at the pharmacy.

Pharmacy has no medicine now

Have you run out of your prescription yet?

Asking if medicine is finished

We have run out of vitamins and need a refill.

No vitamins left at home

Dialogue

Context: A customer talks to a pharmacist about needing medicine because they have none left.

A:
Hello, I have run out of my asthma inhaler.
B:
I’m sorry to hear that. When did you run out?
A:
I ran out yesterday and I need a refill as soon as possible.
B:
Let me check your prescription. Yes, you have run out, but we can prepare a new one today.
A:
Thank you. I have never run out of this medicine before.
B:
It’s important to check your medicine regularly so you don’t run out next time.

Vocabulary

medicine
A substance used to treat illness or injury.
Example: I need to buy my medicine at the pharmacy.
Synonym: medication
pharmacy
A place where you buy medicine.
Example: The pharmacy is open until 7 pm.
Synonym: drugstore
prescription
A doctor’s written order for medicine.
Example: You need a prescription to buy this medicine.
Synonym: doctor’s order
refill
To get more of your medicine after finishing it.
Example: I called the pharmacy to ask for a refill.
Synonym: renewal
pills
Small round pieces of medicine you swallow.
Example: She takes pills for her headache.
Synonym: tablets
allergy
A reaction to something that causes illness.
Example: He has an allergy to pollen.
Synonym: sensitivity
inhaler
A device to help you breathe medicine into your lungs.
Example: People with asthma use an inhaler.
Synonym: breathing device
painkiller
Medicine that reduces pain.
Example: I take a painkiller when I have a headache.
Synonym: analgesic
supply
The amount of something available.
Example: My medicine supply is running low.
Synonym: stock
headache
Pain in the head.
Example: I have a headache and need medicine.
Synonym: migraine

Tips

  • Always check your medicine supply before it runs out.
  • Call the pharmacy early to ask for a refill if you have run out.
  • Do not wait until you run out of medicine to order more.

Summary

In this lesson, you learned the phrasal verb 'run out of' and how to use it with the present perfect tense to talk about medicines you no longer have. You practised reading, speaking, and vocabulary related to the pharmacy and medication refills.

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