carry on talking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "carry on talking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to encourage someone to continue speaking. For example: "John had a lot to say, so I encouraged him to carry on talking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

In the end, we'll crown a winner and carry on talking about tech and throwing back a few cold ones.

TechCrunch

In the end, we'll crown a winner and carry on talking about tech and throwing back a few cold ones (this is a 21+ older event).

TechCrunch

I let her carry on talking.

The Guardian

"Now we must take our time and carry on talking".

Independent

"This way we'll be able to carry on talking".

The Guardian - Books

His adoption as the government's philosopher means that people will carry on talking about Mr Florida.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

"Please sign my autograph," one very audibly cried as he carried on talking to an interviewer.

Vice

But they carried on talking, and I looked at them in ear-pricked wonder.

Independent

He said: "I carried on talking and then I heard a big loud bang.

The Guardian

While the memories rushed back, he carried on talking, apparently unaware that I wasn't listening.

The Guardian - Opinion

She said it contentedly, with fulfillment — then carried on talking enthusiastically about members of that family, past and present.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "carry on talking" to encourage someone to continue their narrative, especially when they might hesitate or feel they are taking up too much time.

Common error

Don't use phrases like "continue to carry on talking" as they are unnecessarily repetitive. Stick to "carry on talking" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "carry on talking" functions as a phrasal verb, encouraging the continuation of speech. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, as evidenced by various examples where individuals are prompted or allowed to continue speaking.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "carry on talking" is a grammatically correct and usable phrasal verb that encourages the continuation of speech. Ludwig AI validates its usage with examples drawn primarily from News & Media sources. While not exceedingly common, it serves a clear communicative purpose in various contexts. When using this phrase, avoid redundant phrasing and consider alternatives like "continue speaking" or "keep talking" to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue speaking

Focuses on the act of speaking without necessarily implying an ongoing conversation.

keep talking

Emphasizes the persistence of talking, potentially against some interruption or obstacle.

go on speaking

Similar to continue speaking, but with a slight nuance of proceeding after a pause.

keep the conversation going

Highlights the effort to avoid a lull in the conversation.

continue the dialogue

Focuses on the exchange of ideas and information in a conversation.

proceed with the conversation

More formal and emphasizes the conversational aspect.

don't stop talking

An imperative form, urging someone not to cease speaking.

sustain the discussion

Implies effort in maintaining a conversation over time.

pursue the dialogue

Suggests a more structured and purposeful conversation.

maintain the discourse

A formal way of saying to keep the conversation active, often used in academic contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use "carry on talking" to encourage someone to continue speaking, as in, "She had a fascinating story, so I urged her to carry on talking".

What are some alternatives to "carry on talking"?

Alternatives include "continue speaking", "keep talking", or "go on speaking", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "carrying on talking" instead of "carry on talking"?

"Carrying on talking" is the present participle form, suitable for continuous tenses (e.g., "He was carrying on talking"), while "carry on talking" is the base form, often used in imperatives or after auxiliary verbs.

What's the difference between "carry on talking" and "carry on the conversation"?

"Carry on talking" refers specifically to the act of speaking, while "carry on the conversation" refers to the broader activity of engaging in a dialogue or discussion.