Please carry on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Please carry on" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to encourage someone to continue with what they were doing or saying. Example: "After the interruption, the speaker said, 'Please carry on with your presentation.'" Alternative expressions include "Please continue" and "Go ahead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Please carry on with your exercise regime'.

BMC Cancer

And please carry on writing books.

The Guardian

So be it, said Queen Beatrix, but please carry on as a caretaker as he would have for a time after the election anyway.The affair may yet help his party.

The Economist

If so, please carry on, sir you're doing God's work.

Vice

And we'd like to carry that debate over in this most recent post, so please carry on the conversation here, too.

The New York Times

But please, carry on.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Please carry it to that far corner of the terminal.

The New Yorker

I'm very pleased to carry on being deputy to Ed".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I would have been pleased to carry on with determination my commitment for a more open and competitive European economy, intervening against distortions, restrictions and abuses, including those put in place by the most powerful member states," Mr. Monti said in an uncharacteristically emotional statement.

The New York Times

"People have been making cheese here for the last 300 years," she explains as she sets to work on the mountain of cheeses stacked around her. "We're just pleased to carry on that tradition.

BBC

Not all participants were pleased to carry on Moms' food and eating practices, necessitating this subtheme defined by a participant's resentful attitude toward being her mother's daughter.

BMC Women's Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “Please carry on” to politely encourage someone to continue speaking, acting, or working, particularly after an interruption or pause.

Common error

While “Please carry on” is generally acceptable, overuse in very formal contexts can make your writing sound less sophisticated. Consider using alternatives like “Please continue” or “Kindly proceed” for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Please carry on" functions as an imperative, specifically a polite directive. It's used to encourage or request someone to continue with an action, speech, or activity. Ludwig confirms its usage as a polite way to ask someone to proceed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Please carry on" is a grammatically sound and polite imperative phrase used to encourage someone to continue with an action or speech. As Ludwig confirms, it functions as a directive while maintaining a neutral-to-informal register, making it suitable for various contexts, especially news media and everyday conversations. Though not extremely frequent, it's a useful phrase to signal interest and support while prompting continuation. Its versatility is highlighted by the availability of alternative phrases such as "please continue" or "go ahead".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Please continue

This alternative uses a more formal verb to convey the same meaning.

Kindly proceed

This phrase uses a more polite and formal tone.

Go ahead

This alternative is more casual and direct.

Keep going

This phrase emphasizes perseverance and effort.

Don't stop

This version focuses on preventing interruption or cessation.

Proceed forward

This option adds emphasis on moving in a forward direction.

Maintain your course

This suggests adherence to a planned route or strategy.

Feel free to continue

This alternative offers permission to proceed.

By all means, continue

This version expresses strong agreement and encouragement.

Carry it on

Changes the emphasis to continuing "it", or a specific task.

FAQs

How can I use "Please carry on" in a sentence?

You can use "Please carry on" to politely encourage someone to continue with a task or speech. For example, "We're eager to hear more; please carry on with your explanation".

What are some alternatives to "Please carry on"?

Alternatives include "Please continue", "Go ahead", or "Kindly proceed", depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "Carry on, please" grammatically correct?

Yes, "Carry on, please" is grammatically correct and conveys the same meaning as "Please carry on", although it might sound slightly less formal.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "Please carry on"?

"Please carry on" is appropriate in many situations where you want someone to continue an action, especially after an interruption. It's a polite way to show interest and encourage continuation.