Cool MateCarry on vs Continue vs Keep it going vs Persist
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Carry on
Continue
Keep it going
Persist
| Carry on | Continue | Keep it going | Persist | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈkæri ɒn//🇺🇸 //ˈkæri ɑn// | 🇬🇧 /["/kənˈtɪnjuː/","/kənˈtɪnjuːz/","/kənˈtɪnjuːd/","/kənˈtɪnjuːɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈtɪnjuː/","/kənˈtɪnjuːz/","/kənˈtɪnjuːd/","/kənˈtɪnjuːɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //kiːp ɪt ˈɡəʊɪŋ//🇺🇸 //kip ɪt ˈɡoʊɪŋ// | 🇬🇧 //pəˈsɪst//🇺🇸 //pərˈsɪst// |
| Meaning | To continue doing something. | To keep doing something without stopping. | Continue doing something without stopping. | To keep trying despite difficulties or obstacles. |
| Example | Despite the distractions, she decided to carry on with her studies. | Please continue with your presentation after the break. | Even when times are tough, we must keep it going. | Despite numerous setbacks, she decided to persist with her research project. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | A2 | - | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb | ||
| Collocations | carry on working, carry on despite, carry on with a task | continue doing, continue with, continue on, continue to speak, continue until | keep it going strong, keep it going well, keep it going forward | persist in doing something, persist with a plan, persist through challenges |
| Antonyms | - | stop, cease, halt | stop, cease, halt | give up, quit, yield |
| 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) | Using 'keep it going' to mean 'start something'., Incorrectly conjugating verbs after 'keep it going'., Confusing with 'keep going' which implies continuous action. | Confused with 'insist' - both imply persistence but have different uses., Incorrect verb form - it's 'persisted' for past tense, not 'persisted' for plural subjects., Omitting subject pronoun is common in informal speech. |
| 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. | Commonly used in both spoken and written English. Appropriate in casual and semi-formal situations, but may feel too informal in very formal contexts. | Use 'persist' when you want to express determination to continue with an action. It can apply to personal efforts, research, or legislative processes. Avoid using it in casual contexts where simpler words like 'hang on' might be more appropriate. |
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Frequently asked questions: Carry on vs Continue vs Keep it going vs Persist
What's the difference between Carry on, Continue, Keep it going, and Persist?
Carry on: To continue doing something. Continue: To keep doing something without stopping. Keep it going: Continue doing something without stopping. Persist: To keep trying despite difficulties or obstacles.
Which is more common: Carry on, Continue, Keep it going, and Persist?
Continue is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Carry on, Continue, Keep it going, and Persist?
Persist is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
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. Keep it going: Even when times are tough, we must keep it going. Persist: Despite numerous setbacks, she decided to persist with her research project.
Can I use Carry on, Continue, Keep it going, and Persist interchangeably?
Not always. Carry on, Continue, Keep it going, and Persist 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.