Cool MateCarry on vs Keep it going
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Carry on
Top 2,000 (common)
Keep it going
Top 2,000 (common)
| Carry on | Keep it going | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈkæri ɒn//🇺🇸 //ˈkæri ɑn// | 🇬🇧 //kiːp ɪt ˈɡəʊɪŋ//🇺🇸 //kip ɪt ˈɡoʊɪŋ// |
| Meaning | To continue doing something. | Continue doing something without stopping. |
| Example | Despite the distractions, she decided to carry on with her studies. | Even when times are tough, we must keep it going. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | carry on working, carry on despite, carry on with a task | keep it going strong, keep it going well, keep it going forward |
| 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. | Using 'keep it going' to mean 'start something'., Incorrectly conjugating verbs after 'keep it going'., Confusing with 'keep going' which implies continuous action. |
| 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. | Commonly used in both spoken and written English. Appropriate in casual and semi-formal situations, but may feel too informal in very formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Carry on vs Keep it going
What's the difference between Carry on and Keep it going?
Carry on: To continue doing something. Keep it going: Continue doing something without stopping.
Can you show an example of each?
Carry on: Despite the distractions, she decided to carry on with her studies. Keep it going: Even when times are tough, we must keep it going.
Can I use Carry on and Keep it going interchangeably?
Not always. Carry on and Keep it going 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.