carry along

USAGE SUMMARY

"carry along" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean to take something with you, or to carry something with you somewhere. For example, "I'll carry along my umbrella in case it rains."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Politicians may be amazed to find that things can carry along without them.

The Economist

(Some people carry along printouts of e-mail confirmations to the restaurant).

The New York Times

The girls did jobs for their parents but always demanded pay and a lunch to carry along.

The New Yorker

It's bit of a pain, to be sure, but they're easy to carry along because, well, they're tiny.

The New Yorker

The higher man goes in planes & rockets, & the deeper he goes in submarines, the more necessary it becomes for him to carry along with him his accustomed climate.

The New Yorker

In descending, the testes carry along a spermatic duct, blood and lymphatic vessels, and a nerve supply wrapped in peritoneum and constituting, collectively, the spermatic cord.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

On the other hand, the biometric approach is the most promising since it requires no carry-along item.

Forbes

They have long been used as carry-along props that engage children in a range of cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.

Mobile Technology for Children Designing for Interaction and Learning

Davis says he came up with his idea of a pack of carry-along cards a few years ago while attending an emergency response training session.

Huffington Post

Correctional institutions and police lock-ups should implement policies and procedures to diminish the risk of hypo- and hyperglycemia by, for example, providing carry-along meals and medication for patients traveling to off-site appointments or changing the insulin regimen for that day.

Diabetes Care

It has a removable cover, so you can choose to carry along an extra battery for days when you'll be over connected.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "carry along", consider the context to ensure it accurately conveys the idea of taking something with you or advancing something forward. Be mindful of whether a more specific verb might be more appropriate.

Common error

While "carry along" is versatile, avoid overusing it in formal writing where more precise verbs like "transport", "include", or "continue" might provide greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "carry along" functions primarily as a dynamic verb phrase, indicating an action of transporting something or someone, or the progression of an event or narrative. Ludwig provides examples of both usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "carry along" is a versatile phrasal verb meaning to take something with you or to advance something forward. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While generally neutral in register, it's advisable to consider more precise alternatives in formal writing. By understanding its multiple meanings and appropriate contexts, you can effectively incorporate "carry along" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bring along

Focuses on the act of taking something or someone with you.

take along

Similar to "bring along", emphasizing the act of taking.

bear along

Implies carrying something while moving forward.

transport along

Focuses on the act of moving something from one place to another.

ferry along

Suggests movement of something by boat or other means.

tote along

Indicates carrying something, often casually.

lug along

Emphasizes carrying something heavy or cumbersome.

drag along

Implies pulling something or someone with effort.

retain

Suggests keeping or continuing to have something.

maintain

Indicates keeping something in good condition or continuing a process.

FAQs

What does "carry along" mean?

"Carry along" means to take something or someone with you, or to progress or advance something. It can also mean to include something as part of a process.

What can I say instead of "carry along"?

You can use alternatives like "bring along", "take along", or "include" depending on the context.

Is "carry along" formal or informal?

"Carry along" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives may be preferable in academic or professional settings.

How do I use "carry along" in a sentence?

You can use "carry along" to describe taking an item with you (e.g., "Remember to carry along your passport") or to describe how a narrative progresses (e.g., "The story carries along at a brisk pace").