to carry on with

USAGE SUMMARY

"to carry on with" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe continuing a task or activity. For example, "We decided to carry on with our plans despite the difficult circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was happy to carry on with it.

The Guardian

He wanted to carry on with his youth".

The Guardian - Books

Cleary decided to carry on with the scheme regardless.

The Guardian - Sport

Public resolve to carry on with life is growing, too, Mr. Duncan insisted.

The New York Times

I've just said to you, if you want to carry on with that question we'll stop.

The Guardian - Sport

"I'm just going to carry on with the work riding and see what comes.

The Guardian - Sport

He urged her to carry on with her life and the couple were divorced.

The Guardian

We have to respect them and give them strength to carry on with their lives".

The New Yorker

"We want to carry on with low atranol, to preserve the oakmoss scent," she says.

Independent

Mr Gul has promised to "carry on with business as usual".

The Economist

To carry on with present practices would indeed be to invite disaster.Why?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone you want to convey. While "to carry on with" is versatile, alternatives like "to proceed with" might be more suitable for formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "to carry on with" excessively in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise verbs like "continue", "proceed", or "pursue" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to carry on with" functions as a prepositional verb phrase, indicating the continuation of an action or process. It typically connects a subject to a specific activity that is being pursued or maintained. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Sport

15%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Opinion

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to carry on with" is a common and versatile prepositional verb phrase that signifies the continuation of an activity or task. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to consider the specific context and choose more precise alternatives like "to continue with" or "to proceed with" in more formal writing. By understanding its nuances and potential alternatives, you can effectively use "to carry on with" to convey a sense of persistence and determination in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to continue with

Focuses more directly on the act of continuing something without interruption.

to proceed with

Implies a more formal or structured continuation, often after a pause or consideration.

to keep on with

Adds a sense of persistence or determination in continuing.

to go on with

A more general and versatile alternative, suitable for many contexts.

to press on with

Emphasizes a determined effort to continue despite obstacles.

to push on with

Similar to 'press on with' but can also imply overcoming resistance.

to pursue

Focuses on following a course of action to completion.

to maintain

Stresses keeping something at the same level or condition.

to uphold

Suggests supporting or defending something by continuing with it.

to persevere with

Highlights the effort and resilience involved in continuing despite difficulties.

FAQs

What does "to carry on with" mean?

The phrase "to carry on with" means to continue doing something, especially after an interruption or difficulty. It implies a decision to proceed and not give up.

How can I use "to carry on with" in a sentence?

You can use "to carry on with" to indicate the continuation of an activity, for example, "Despite the challenges, we decided to carry on with the project."

What are some alternatives to "to carry on with"?

You can use alternatives like "to continue with", "to proceed with", or "to go on with", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "to carry on" and "to carry on with"?

"To carry on" generally means to continue, while "to carry on with" specifically implies continuing with a particular task or activity. The addition of "with" makes the object of the continuation more explicit.