Method for running of internal combustion engine entails shutting off cylinders alternately and reactivating them, whereby shut off phase of deactivated cylinder extends over at least two but no more than three working cycles

The method for the running of an internal combustion engine with at least four cylinders with a fully variable valve gear for at least one inlet valve and exhaust valve per cylinder entails running the engine with partially shut-off cylinders in at least one part-load range. The cylinders are shut off alternately and the reactivated, whereby in preference the shut off phase of a deactivated cylinder extends over at least two but no more than three working cycles.