carry on something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "carry on something" is not correct in standard English usage.
The correct expression is "carry on with something," which means to continue doing something. Example: "Despite the challenges, we must carry on with our project and meet the deadline."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Like most of the best apps, Zello lets you create groups so that you can carry on something like a party-line phone call among a handful — or hundreds — of friends or collaborators.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

At one of them a large colored woman, suddenly threw herself to the floor, screaming, waving her arms, and carrying on something fierce.

The New Yorker

Another Carry On fan, Robert Ross, recently wrote his university dissertation on "Male Sexuality in the Carry Ons," something that left Norman Hudis, the writer of the first six Carry On films, "silent and awed".

Independent

Still, someone has to tell the Greeks they can't expect to carry on getting something for nothing.

Independent

They carry on until something catastrophic finally splits them apart, like the drummer contracting premature arthritis or the bass player getting a girlfriend who wants to teach him the ins and outs of Tantric sex so he doesn't have time to go to practice anymore.

Vice

But that does not mean they carry on digging: if something isn't working, or if circumstances change, they need to be prepared to force a rethink.

The Guardian

Even though none of them could fully carry on normal conversations, they all had something to say.

Vice

And that carries on until something knocks us sideways and we realize we have to change.

Vice

If you dropped something, you would just carry on.

The Guardian - Film

It's something we want to carry on.

The Guardian - Sport

'Once we start doing something, it does change your practice and you carry on.

BMC Family Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct form "carry on with something" to ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity in your writing. For example, "You should carry on with the project despite the challenges."

Common error

Avoid omitting the word "with" after "carry on" when referring to an object or activity. Saying "carry on something" is grammatically incorrect. Always include "with" to maintain proper grammar: "carry on with the task."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "carry on something" is intended to function as a verb phrase indicating continuation or progression. However, due to the missing preposition, it fails to meet standard grammatical requirements. According to Ludwig, it's an incorrect phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "carry on something" is grammatically incorrect in standard English. The correct form is "carry on with something", indicating the continuation of an action or task. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as non-standard, and it's recommended to use alternatives like "continue with something" for clarity and correctness. While the phrase appears across various contexts, including news and media, science, and wikis, its incorrect usage diminishes its effectiveness in formal or professional settings. Always ensure the inclusion of 'with' to maintain grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue with something

Focuses on the act of proceeding without interruption; more grammatically correct.

carry on with it

Adds specificity by referring to a particular task or activity.

proceed with something

Implies a more formal or planned continuation.

keep doing something

A more casual way of expressing ongoing action.

persist with something

Highlights determination and effort in continuing.

carry forward something

Emphasizes the transfer of progress or elements to a future stage.

maintain something

Focuses on sustaining an existing state or activity.

pursue something

Suggests a dedicated effort to achieve a specific goal.

advance something

Implies making progress or developing something further.

push on with something

Suggests overcoming obstacles to continue.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use the phrase, "carry on"?

The correct usage is "carry on with something" or simply "carry on" without a direct object. For example, "carry on with the project" or "we must carry on".

Is it grammatically correct to say "carry on something"?

No, it is not grammatically correct. The standard English usage is "carry on with something". You can use "continue with something" as an alternative.

What does "carry on with it" mean and how does it differ from "carry on something"?

"Carry on with it" means to continue with a specific task or activity. "Carry on something" is grammatically incorrect; the correct form includes the preposition "with."

Can I use "proceed with something" instead of "carry on with something"?

Yes, "proceed with something" is a suitable alternative, especially in more formal contexts. Both phrases indicate a continuation of an activity or plan.