"Corriendo" vs. "Llevando"

Question

I am wondering what the difference in usage is between the verbs "correr" and "llevar" when using them in a sentence with the action of "carrying".

Example:

Estoy llevando una carta a mi abuelo.

and

Estoy corriendo una carta a mi abuelo.

What is the difference?

Answer 1

Hmmm "correr" is exactly "to run" but "llevar" is "to carry". Normally the second sentence is not correct, we dont use "estoy corriendo una carta a mi abuelo", only maybe in few coloquial cases with the latin american spanish, but it doesnt make full sense. Anyway, to answer your question properly, you cant use the action "to carry" with the verb correr.

• I have read native sentences with this usage: does thsi mean that it is incorrect grammar to use the word correr in the stead of llevar? - renaerules Feb 17, 2010
• Yes, on grammar tenses this is not correct, but we always make our own usage of the languages in the streets so like i told you, in coloquial cases you can find it. Hope it helped. - Zizoun Feb 17, 2010

Answer 2

Yes, you can call it slang.

For example "correrse una juerga" means go on a spree and that could be correct...

But correr una carta a mi abuelo, if you look at it in grammar it has no sense... (run a letter to my grandfather?) is like saying, im gonna leg a letter to my grandpa xD

• Thanks for the extra information. I like to know what is grammaticaly incorrect so I don't use it, but at the same time street slang seems so important to know being that my native English has so much slang in it! - renaerules Feb 17, 2010

Answer 3

HI Rena, I have made a limited search and only your question came up on corriendo una carta.

However, this can be pure "spanglish" like to run a letter was directly translated here.

In grammar this is not correct, as run cannot have direct object, it is an intransitive verb.

• Thanks for the extra info on verb usage...this is one of my weaknesses as I have never learned in a classroom. (besides a really poor class in high school!) - renaerules Feb 17, 2010

Answer 4

I thought correr was "to run" and llevar was "to get up/raise". Estoy llevando una carta a mi abuelo.- I am getting up /or raising a letter to my grandfather. Estoy corriendo una carta a mi abuelo. - I am running a letter to my grandfather. Correct me please if i am wrong.

• Llevar = "to carry" / levantar = "to raise" - webdunce Feb 17, 2010
• Sorry I get that confused all the time!! - mike123587 Feb 17, 2010

Answer 5

I thought correr was "to run" and llevar was "to get up/raise"

Hi Mike,

llevar = to carry

levantar = to raise

They do look similar so I can see the confusion.

• Sorry!!!! I do get confused with the two!! - mike123587 Feb 17, 2010

Answer 6

So using the term "correr" as a term for carry can be regional? Or is the usage just plain wrong grammatically speaking? I am confused because I have read a few sentences from native speakers that use the term this way. Is it slang, perhaps?

Answer 7

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