at large

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Anonymous

#510904 Wed, 07 May 08 06:11 PM

Hi,
1."The escaped prisoners are still at large."
Can I use 'on the loose' or 'on the run' instead of 'at large' here without changing the meaning?

2."His shooter is still on the loose."
Can I use 'at large' or 'on the run' instead of 'on the loose' here without changing the meaning?

Thanks!

Anonymous

Grammar Geek

#510906 Wed, 07 May 08 06:13 PM

Not "on the run."

They may, in fact, be settled in somewhere, with plenty to eat and drink and even cable TV.

However, "at large" and "on the loose" are about the same.

Grammar Geek

Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006

Pennsylvania, USA

Veteran Member (15,981)

Barbara, who answers in American English.

Anonymous

#510923 Wed, 07 May 08 07:17 PM

Hi GG,

Thank you very much for your reply. Then, are 'on the loose' and 'at large' interchangeable in those examples?

I wonder why 'on the run' can't be used here. Doesn't it mean to be trying to escape or hide, especially from the police ,according to the dictionary?

Thanks.

Anonymous

Grammar Geek

#510954 Wed, 07 May 08 09:15 PM

"On the run" implies they are constantly on the move in their efforts to avoid capture.

The other two simply mean that the police have not captured them yet. (They may also be staying at a hotel ordering room service and watching Pay-per-View, or they may be "on the run.")

Grammar Geek

Anonymous

#510970 Wed, 07 May 08 09:59 PM

Hi GG,

Could you please give me an example of 'on the run'? When would you use it rather than 'on the loose' or 'at large'?

Thank you for your answer.

Anonymous

Grammar Geek

#510971 Wed, 07 May 08 10:03 PM

I don't know how to be more clear about this.

They are ON THE RUN, trying to avoid capture. To do this, they have to constantly be on the move. They camp in the woods on night, then they drive across state. Maybe they have enough cash to stay at a hotel - they can't use a credit card because doing so will show their location. They drive further away. They can't stay in one place, because they must try constantly to avoid detection.

Grammar Geek

Anonymous

#511369 Thu, 08 May 08 08:54 PM

I see what you mean, GG. Thank you very much.

Anonymous