carry on serving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "carry on serving" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the continuation of providing a service or assistance, often in a hospitality or customer service context. Example: "Despite the challenges, the staff decided to carry on serving the guests with a smile."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"But more importantly, I will continue to do the job I was elected to do and carry on serving the needs of Hoosier taxpayers through the secretary of state's office".

The New York Times

Mr Gandhi had flouted government policy by ridiculing a proposed ordinance that would have let convicted criminals carry on serving as politicians.Doing no harmIn the circumstances, both Mr Singh and Mr Sharif deserve congratulation for having dared to meet at all.

The Economist

Just as popular demand for democracy was ever more clear and left ever less room for doubt, so the transitional government led by Caied Essebsi and his panoply of "committees" was ever more committed to ignoring it, and instead to carry on serving up the old authoritarian menu.

The Guardian - Opinion

Coach Jones said: "There is a steely focus from key people within the club and I am happy to carry on serving.

BBC

Praising his legacy, which Mr Miliband said included the minimum wage and the preservation of the United Kingdom following September's Scottish independence referendum, Mr Miliband said his predecessor as Labour leader "will obviously be missed" but "will carry on serving the Labour Party in other ways".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Elizabeth seems not to hear and carries on serving.

The Guardian

Wamidh belonged to the "golden generation" of professors, who carried on serving their students even when receiving the equivalent of £13 a month, due to sanctions.

The Guardian

Judy Dawson – I think she was Judy Taggart at the time – a women's player who I knew quite well, came on the next court and I nodded to her but carried on serving.

The Guardian - Sport

Terms of the deal were not disclosed but Clearlake said it is providing "a significant capital infusion to accelerate" Mformation's growth — in addition to carrying on serving its existing customers.

TechCrunch

Neither Panton nor the Spaniards found a suitable replacement for him, nor did his tribesmen the Creeks, though the policies he had put into effect carried on and served the Creek nation well.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The 128 doctors who served in the corps in the past five years trained about 3,000 African professionals, who will carry on.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "carry on serving" to convey a sense of duty and resilience, especially when the act of serving is challenging or requires persistence. For example, "Despite the low pay, the nurses decided to "carry on serving" the community".

Common error

Avoid using "carry on serving" in purely literal contexts where a simpler term like "continue to serve" would suffice. Overusing idiomatic expressions can make your writing sound unnatural. Consider the tone and register of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "carry on serving" functions as a phrasal verb indicating the continuation of providing a service or performing a duty. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and appears in various real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "carry on serving" is a grammatically correct and usable expression indicating the continuation of providing a service or fulfilling a duty, as confirmed by Ludwig. While it is not overly common, it effectively conveys dedication and resilience, particularly in the face of challenges. According to the analysis, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, maintaining a neutral register. While alternatives like "continue to serve" or "keep serving" may be more straightforward, "carry on serving" carries a slightly more idiomatic and determined tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue to serve

A more straightforward and direct alternative, lacking the idiomatic feel of "carry on".

keep serving

Similar to "continue to serve", but with a slightly more persistent connotation.

persist in serving

Emphasizes the determination to continue serving despite potential obstacles.

maintain service

Focuses on the act of maintaining the provision of a service.

keep up the service

Highlights the ongoing nature and possibly the quality of the service being provided.

proceed with service

Suggests a continuation of service, possibly after an interruption or despite challenges.

sustain the service

Implies effort in ensuring the service continues, especially under difficult circumstances.

extend the service

Indicates a broadening or prolongation of the service being offered.

perpetuate the service

Suggests making the service permanent or long-lasting.

remain in service

Focuses on remaining active in a role or position that involves serving.

FAQs

What does "carry on serving" mean?

The phrase "carry on serving" means to continue providing a service or fulfilling a duty, often in a dedicated or resilient manner. It implies a commitment to continue despite possible challenges or difficulties.

What are some alternatives to "carry on serving"?

You can use alternatives like "continue to serve", "keep serving", or "persist in serving" depending on the context.

Is "carry on serving" formal or informal?

The phrase "carry on serving" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. Its formality depends on the context, but it is suitable for professional and news-related content.

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

You can use "carry on serving" to describe someone's continued dedication to their role, for example: "Despite the difficult conditions, the medical staff decided to "carry on serving" the patients."