carried on playing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "carried on playing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone continuing to play a game or instrument after a pause or interruption. Example: "Despite the rain, the children carried on playing until it was too dark to see."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

My sister carried on playing classical guitar and was very good but then packed it in.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Flintoff wants to carry on playing one-day and Twenty20 matches for England.

The New York Times - Sports

"There is one certainty though, and that is I want to carry on playing — with Juventus or abroad.

The New York Times - Sports

He wanted to carry on playing.

The Guardian - Sport

They've just gone away… and we carry on playing.

The Guardian - Music

So, David Beckham will carry on playing for England.

The Guardian - Sport

I suppose it depends on how long he wants to carry on playing for.

Independent

"You're at a lot higher risk if you get concussed and carry on playing.

The New York Times - Sports

"I just wanted to carry on playing football, but I had enough of being in Europe.

The New York Times - Sports

She says: "I love cricket, and I know I can carry on playing because Salma does.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Long after they exhaust us, these wild creatures want to carry on playing.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "carried on playing" to emphasize the continuation of an activity, especially after an interruption or when facing difficulties. This phrase works well in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect tenses with "carried on playing". Ensure the tense of "carried" matches the intended timeframe of the sentence. For example, don't mix present and past tenses inappropriately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "carried on playing" functions as a phrasal verb indicating the continuation of an action, specifically the act of playing. As Ludwig AI confirmed, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples show it describes actions that persist over time or despite obstacles.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "carried on playing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrasal verb that describes the continuation of an activity, particularly playing. As Ludwig AI points out, its neutral tone makes it suitable for various contexts, from news reports to informal discussions. While alternatives like "continued playing" exist, "carried on playing" effectively conveys persistence and uninterrupted action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continued playing

This is a direct synonym, replacing the phrasal verb "carried on" with a single verb "continued".

kept playing

Similar to "continued playing", but implies a persistent effort or repeated action.

went on playing

Another phrasal verb with similar meaning, but slightly more informal than "carried on playing".

persisted in playing

Emphasizes a determined continuation despite possible obstacles.

resumed playing

Suggests a pause or interruption before the playing was restarted.

persevered in playing

Similar to "persisted", highlighting resilience and determination.

proceeded to play

More formal and emphasizes the sequence of actions.

didn't stop playing

Focuses on the lack of cessation, rather than the continuation itself.

carried forward with playing

Emphasizes advancement or progress in the action of playing.

maintained the act of playing

A more elaborate and formal way to express continued playing.

FAQs

What does "carried on playing" mean?

The phrase "carried on playing" means to continue playing something, typically after an interruption or difficulty. It implies a persistence in the activity.

What can I say instead of "carried on playing"?

You can use alternatives like "continued playing", "kept playing", or "went on playing" depending on the context.

Is "carried on playing" formal or informal?

"Carried on playing" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although alternatives like "continued playing" might be slightly more formal.

How do I use "carried on playing" in a sentence?

You can use "carried on playing" to describe someone continuing an activity. For example: "Despite the rain, the team "carried on playing"".