carry on

Meaning

'Carry on' means to continue doing something, especially despite difficulties, interruptions, or challenges. It is commonly used in both spoken and written English, often followed by a gerund (verb-ing) or the preposition 'with'. The tone is generally neutral, but it can sound encouraging or directive depending on how it is said.

Examples

• Please carry on with your work; don't let me interrupt you.

  Please carry on with your work; don't let me interrupt you.

• Despite the heavy rain, they decided to carry on with the outdoor concert.

  Despite the heavy rain, they decided to carry on with the outdoor concert.

• He carried on talking even though nobody was listening.

  He carried on talking even though nobody was listening.

• If you carry on making that noise, the neighbors will complain.

  If you carry on making that noise, the neighbors will complain.

• We must carry on and find a solution to this problem.

  We must carry on and find a solution to this problem.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We should carry on to study for the exam.

  ✓ We should carry on studying for the exam.

  'Carry on' is followed by a gerund (verb-ing), not an infinitive with 'to'.

• ✗ Please carry on your work.

  ✓ Please carry on with your work.

  When 'carry on' is followed by a noun phrase, you need to use the preposition 'with' to link them.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Sorry for the interruption, please ___ with what you were doing.

  💡 continue doing

  Show answer

  carry on

• If you ___ practicing every day, you will definitely improve.

  💡 keep doing something

  Show answer

  carry on