he carried on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he carried on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone continued with an action or behavior, often despite difficulties or interruptions. Example: "Despite the challenges he faced, he carried on with his work, determined to finish the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He carried on hitting him.

Independent

Still, he carried on regardless.

The Guardian - Opinion

Of course, he carried on walking.

The New Yorker

And he carried on with his metaphor.

The Guardian - Books

He carried on, dying peacefully in sleep.

The New York Times

He carried on as a part-time artist.

The Guardian - Arts

He carried on drinking and went out afterwards.

Independent

"He had breathing difficulties, but he carried on with the show.

The Guardian

The teaching he carried on in a state of "permanent exhaustion".

The Guardian

"He carried on talking despite being snowballed.. Didn't flinch.

BBC

We think he carried on right through World War One.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he carried on" to indicate the continuation of an action, especially when there are implied or explicit obstacles. It's useful for showing resilience and persistence in narratives or reports.

Common error

Avoid using "he carried on" excessively in passive constructions, as it can weaken the impact of your writing. Instead, opt for active voice and more direct verbs to enhance clarity and engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he carried on" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the continuation of an action by a male subject. Ludwig provides many examples showing its use in various contexts, affirming its role in expressing persistence or uninterrupted activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he carried on" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the continuation of an action by a male subject. As verified by Ludwig, it's versatile enough for use in various contexts, predominantly in News & Media. While alternatives like "he continued" or "he persisted" exist, "he carried on" offers a familiar and direct way to convey persistence. Remembering to use this phrase actively and avoid overusing passive constructions will enhance your writing's clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he continued

This alternative is more concise and directly states that the person persisted in their action.

he persisted

This alternative emphasizes the determination and refusal to give up.

he proceeded

This alternative suggests a more formal or structured continuation.

he went on

This alternative is a phrasal verb that is similar to "he carried on" but slightly less formal.

he kept going

This alternative is more informal and emphasizes forward movement.

he pressed on

This alternative implies a determined effort to overcome obstacles.

he maintained

This alternative focuses on the act of maintaining a certain course of action.

he persevered

This alternative highlights the sustained effort and resilience over a longer period.

he advanced

This alternative implies progress and forward movement in a specific direction.

he extended

This alternative suggests lengthening or prolonging something.

FAQs

How can I use "he carried on" in a sentence?

The phrase "he carried on" indicates that someone continued with an action or activity. For example, "Despite the rain, "he carried on" walking to work".

What are some alternatives to "he carried on"?

You can use alternatives like "he continued", "he persisted", or "he went on" depending on the specific context.

Is "he carried on" formal or informal?

"He carried on" is generally considered to be neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though options like "he continued" might be preferred in very formal writing.

What is the difference between "he carried on" and "he carried on with"?

While both phrases are similar, "he carried on" typically implies continuing an action, while "he carried on with" might specifically refer to continuing with a task or project. For instance, ""he carried on" working" vs. "he carried on with his work".