Cool MateCarry on vs Continue
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Carry on
Top 2,000 (common)
Continue
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Most common: Continue
| Carry on | Continue | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈkæri ɒn//🇺🇸 //ˈkæri ɑn// | 🇬🇧 /["/kənˈtɪnjuː/","/kənˈtɪnjuːz/","/kənˈtɪnjuːd/","/kənˈtɪnjuːɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈtɪnjuː/","/kənˈtɪnjuːz/","/kənˈtɪnjuːd/","/kənˈtɪnjuːɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To continue doing something. | To keep doing something without stopping. |
| Example | Despite the distractions, she decided to carry on with her studies. | Please continue with your presentation after the break. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A2 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | carry on working, carry on despite, carry on with a task | continue doing, continue with, continue on, continue to speak, continue until |
| Antonyms | - | stop, cease, halt |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'carry out', which means to perform or execute., Using 'carry on' without a gerund or direct object when required. | 'Continue' followed by a noun instead of a gerund (e.g., 'continue the project' instead of 'continue doing the project'), Confusing 'continue' with 'resume' — 'resume' implies starting again after a pause, Using 'continue to' followed by an adjective (incorrect) instead of a verb (correct) |
| Usage notes | Use 'carry on' to describe continuing an action. It's appropriate in both spoken and written contexts but can sound informal in very formal writing. | Use 'continue' when talking about ongoing actions or processes. It's neutral, so it's appropriate in most contexts, but can sound too formal in casual conversations. Avoid using in contexts where you're suggesting to start something new. |
Frequently asked questions: Carry on vs Continue
What's the difference between Carry on and Continue?
Carry on: To continue doing something. Continue: To keep doing something without stopping.
Which is more common: Carry on and Continue?
Continue is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Carry on: Despite the distractions, she decided to carry on with her studies. Continue: Please continue with your presentation after the break.
Can I use Carry on and Continue interchangeably?
Not always. Carry on and Continue are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.