please carry on

USAGE SUMMARY

"please carry on" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is a polite way of asking someone to continue whatever they are doing. For example, you could use "please carry on" to request that a student complete an assignment: "Please carry on with your work, and let me know if you need any help."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

And please carry on writing books.

The Guardian

Q) Please carry on with that thought, whether it has been wise to turn over schools to nonprofit managers.

The Washington Post

So be it, said Queen Beatrix, but please carry on as a caretaker as he would have for a time after the election anyway.The affair may yet help his party.

The Economist

If so, please carry on, sir you're doing God's work.

Vice

If either of those are the case, please carry on with self-loathing.

HuffPost

Please carry on with your exercise regime'.

BMC Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Please carry out trash.

The Washington Post

Please carry it to that far corner of the terminal.

The New Yorker

I'm very pleased to carry on being deputy to Ed".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I would have been pleased to carry on with determination my commitment for a more open and competitive European economy, intervening against distortions, restrictions and abuses, including those put in place by the most powerful member states," Mr. Monti said in an uncharacteristically emotional statement.

The New York Times

"People have been making cheese here for the last 300 years," she explains as she sets to work on the mountain of cheeses stacked around her. "We're just pleased to carry on that tradition.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When offering feedback or suggestions, use "please carry on" to indicate that the person should continue their efforts while incorporating your input.

Common error

Avoid using "please carry on" excessively in the same conversation or document. Vary your language to maintain reader engagement. Consider alternatives like "please continue" or "go ahead".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please carry on" primarily functions as an imperative, specifically a polite request or encouragement for someone to continue with an action or task already in progress. This aligns with Ludwig's indication that it's a usable and correct phrase. It aims to sustain the current activity rather than initiating a new one.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "please carry on" is a polite and grammatically sound phrase used to encourage someone to continue with their current action or speech. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a correct and usable phrase. While not exceedingly common, it appears across various contexts, predominantly in news and media. When aiming for variety, consider alternatives like "please continue" or "please proceed". Understanding these nuances ensures effective and respectful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

please continue

This alternative offers a more direct and simple way to ask someone to keep going.

please proceed

This alternative is a slightly more formal way of asking someone to move forward with something.

feel free to continue

This alternative gives permission and encouragement to proceed, adding a touch of reassurance.

do continue

This alternative uses emphasis to politely urge someone to proceed.

go ahead please

This option is slightly more informal and conversational.

keep going please

This alternative emphasizes perseverance and forward movement.

by all means continue

This alternative provides a strong endorsement for continuing, often used in formal settings.

don't stop now

This option implies encouragement, often when progress has been made.

please keep at it

This alternative is used to encourage someone to continue working diligently on a task.

press on please

This alternative is a more forceful way of encouraging continuation, often used in challenging situations.

FAQs

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

You can use "please carry on" to politely encourage someone to continue speaking, working, or performing an action. For example, you might say, "You were explaining the project details, "please carry on"".

What are some alternatives to "please carry on"?

Some alternatives include "please continue", "please proceed", or "feel free to continue". The best choice depends on the context and level of formality you want to convey.

Is "please carry on" formal or informal?

"Please carry on" is generally considered polite and can be used in both formal and informal settings. However, "please proceed" may be more appropriate in highly formal contexts.

What's the difference between "please carry on" and "please continue"?

While both phrases are very similar, "please carry on" implies a sense of momentum or ongoing activity that you want to see sustained. "Please continue" is a more general way to ask someone to keep going.