we carried on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we carried on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that you continued with an activity or task despite challenges or interruptions. Example: "Despite the rain, we carried on with our picnic plans and enjoyed the day outdoors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No one seemed to notice and we carried on".

BBC

So we carried on".

The Guardian - Music

After that we carried on driving".

The Guardian

And I thought, 'Oh, OK' and we carried on drinking.

The Guardian - Books

If we carried on like this, we would be annihilated.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Acquaintances advised us to stop, to avoid getting into trouble, but we carried on".

The Guardian

Quipped Swarbrick: "I told Martin in 1962 if we carried on long enough we'd win an award".

The Guardian - Music

One evening we carried on down into Monaco and were able to drive along some of the race track before scouting the busy bars along the harbour.

The Guardian - Travel

The thought was, 'Let's cancel the day's filming.' But no insurance company is going to take that as an excuse, so we carried on".

The New York Times

But there was a choice to be made about whether we carried on as were doing or maybe invested £30m to establish the club.

The Guardian - Sport

"Our security got off the lift on one floor and we carried on up to our rooms.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we carried on" to clearly indicate that an action or activity was not interrupted despite potential obstacles or distractions. It adds a sense of resilience and continuity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "we carried on" when the situation requires a stronger emphasis on overcoming significant adversity. In such cases, consider alternatives like "we persevered" or "we triumphed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we carried on" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating the continuation of an action or activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically sound expression. Examples show it used to express persistence despite challenges.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we carried on" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to express the continuation of an action or activity, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's frequently found in News & Media contexts and conveys a sense of persistence. While generally neutral, consider more formal alternatives in academic or scientific writing if a more elevated tone is required. Remember to use "we carried on" when emphasizing that progress or activity wasn't halted despite potential difficulties. Substitute with "we continued" or "we persisted" for subtle differences in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we continued

Simple substitution, emphasizing the act of not stopping.

we went on

A general phrase indicating continuation.

we proceeded

Implies a more formal continuation, suggesting a planned course.

we pressed on

Highlights determination and effort in continuing despite difficulty.

we kept going

Informal and emphasizes perseverance in the face of challenges.

we moved forward

Suggests progress and advancement while continuing.

we persisted

Emphasizes a determined continuation despite obstacles.

we advanced

Suggests a tactical or strategic continuation.

we resumed

Highlights the continuation of something after a pause.

we maintained

Focuses on keeping something in a certain state by continuing.

FAQs

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

Use "we carried on" to express the continuation of an action or activity. For example, "Despite the setbacks, "we carried on" with the project".

What can I say instead of "we carried on"?

You can use alternatives like "we continued", "we proceeded", or "we persisted depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "we carried on" or "we carry on"?

"We carried on" is in the past tense, indicating a completed action of continuing. "We carry on" is in the present tense, suggesting a habitual or ongoing action. Choose the tense that fits the context of your sentence.

What is the difference between "we carried on" and "we moved on"?

"We carried on" implies continuing with the same task or activity, whereas "we moved on" suggests shifting focus to something new after finishing or abandoning the previous one.