carry on speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "carry on speaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when encouraging someone to continue talking or expressing their thoughts. Example: "Please don't stop; I want you to carry on speaking about your ideas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But I spoke up and I'll carry on speaking up.

The Guardian

He urges the Lib Dems to carry on speaking out against it, so as to strengthen the hand of Lib Dems who are trying to amend the bill in the Lords.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

And carried on speaking.

Independent

President Mohamud and his V.I.P. guest were unharmed, and carried on speaking.

The New Yorker

Even after one of them was caught and executed, the group carried on, speaking with journalists and sharing images from the city.

Vice

Oh bugger." After that, she just carries on speaking English with a Scottish accent to her clandestine French associates in the village of Lezignac, including the handsome communist resistance worker Billy Crudup and his glowering old dad Michael Gambon who lives in a colossal farmhouse-cum-chateau in the middle of nowhere.

The Guardian - Film

I wonder how long Swift will carry on bothering speaking up at all.

Independent

However, instead of stating this fact, since your audience is able to read the slide for themselves, you carry on to speak about the drought and skyrocketing global food prices that are causing this problem.

WikiHow

You speak for six minutes, and then I'll carry on.

The Washington Post

So, generally speaking, we will pick ourselves up, brush ourselves down and carry on.

The Guardian

"We as guarantors — Turkey, Iran, Russia — will do everything for this to work," Mr. Putin said in remarks carried on Russian television, speaking in Sochi, Russia, after meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "carry on speaking", be mindful of the context. It's suitable for both formal and informal settings, but in highly formal situations, consider alternatives like "continue to speak" for a more professional tone.

Common error

While "carry on speaking" is perfectly acceptable, avoid relying too heavily on phrasal verbs in formal writing. Sometimes, a more direct verb like "continue" or "proceed" can lend a more polished and professional tone to your text.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "carry on speaking" functions as a phrasal verb, where "carry on" acts as the verb and "speaking" as a gerund complementing the action. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. This suggests that the construction adheres to standard English grammar rules for expressing continuous action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "carry on speaking" is a grammatically sound phrasal verb used to encourage the continuation of verbal expression. Though slightly informal, it is suitable for most contexts, particularly news and media, as shown by Ludwig. For academic or highly formal settings, consider more direct alternatives like "continue to speak". Use "carry on speaking" confidently, but be mindful of your audience and the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue to speak

More formal and direct; implies a straightforward continuation of the act of speaking.

keep speaking

Emphasizes persistence and the act of not stopping.

go on speaking

Similar to "carry on speaking" but can imply a sequential continuation after an interruption.

proceed with speaking

Formal; suggests a structured or planned continuation of speech.

maintain speaking

Highlights the sustained effort to speak.

sustain speaking

Emphasizes endurance in speaking, often over a longer period.

press on with speaking

Implies determination and pushing forward despite challenges or reluctance.

persist in speaking

Focuses on continuous effort to speak, even when facing opposition or difficulty.

hold forth

Suggests speaking at length, often in a more authoritative or lecturing manner.

ramble on

Implies speaking in a disorganized or lengthy manner, potentially diverting from the main point.

FAQs

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

You can use "carry on speaking" to encourage someone to continue talking. For example, "Please, "carry on speaking"; I'm very interested in what you have to say."

What is a more formal alternative to "carry on speaking"?

In a more formal context, you could use "continue to speak" or "proceed with speaking" as alternatives to "carry on speaking".

Is "carry on speaking" appropriate for academic writing?

While "carry on speaking" is grammatically correct, it may be perceived as slightly informal for academic writing. Consider using "continue speaking" for a more suitable tone.

What's the difference between "carry on speaking" and "keep speaking"?

"Carry on speaking" implies a continuation after a pause, whereas "keep speaking" emphasizes not stopping. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight continuous action or resumed action.