Cool MateCarry on vs We can continue
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Carry on
Top 2,000 (common)
We can continue
Top 1,000 (very common)
Most common: We can continue
| Carry on | We can continue | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈkæri ɒn//🇺🇸 //ˈkæri ɑn// | 🇬🇧 //wiː kən kənˈtɪn.juː//🇺🇸 //wi kən kənˈtɪnju// |
| Meaning | To continue doing something. | We can keep going. |
| Example | Despite the distractions, she decided to carry on with her studies. | After the break, we can continue with the presentation. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| Collocations | carry on working, carry on despite, carry on with a task | continue the conversation, continue the work, continue a journey, continue a tradition, continue doing something |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'carry out', which means to perform or execute., Using 'carry on' without a gerund or direct object when required. | Using 'can' instead of 'could' for past ability., Confusing 'continue' with 'go on' in complex sentences., Inserting unnecessary words like 'to' before 'continue'. |
| 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 to express the idea of carrying on with an activity. Suitable for both formal and informal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Carry on vs We can continue
What's the difference between Carry on and We can continue?
Carry on: To continue doing something. We can continue: We can keep going.
Which is more common: Carry on and We can continue?
We can 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. We can continue: After the break, we can continue with the presentation.
Can I use Carry on and We can continue interchangeably?
Not always. Carry on and We can 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.