Cool MateCarry on vs We keep on
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Carry on
Top 2,000 (common)
We keep on
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Carry on
| Carry on | We keep on | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈkæri ɒn//🇺🇸 //ˈkæri ɑn// | 🇬🇧 //wiː kiːp ɒn//🇺🇸 //wi kiːp ɑn// |
| Meaning | To continue doing something. | We continue to do something. |
| Example | Despite the distractions, she decided to carry on with her studies. | We keep on trying, no matter how hard it gets. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| Collocations | carry on working, carry on despite, carry on with a task | keep on trying, keep on asking, keep on going, keep on working, keep on singing |
| 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 on' without 'we' or another subject., Incorrect verb form after 'keep on'., Confusing 'keep on' with '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. | Used to indicate persistence in an action. Suitable for both written and spoken contexts. Avoid in very formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Carry on vs We keep on
What's the difference between Carry on and We keep on?
Carry on: To continue doing something. We keep on: We continue to do something.
Which is more common: Carry on and We keep on?
Carry on 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 keep on: We keep on trying, no matter how hard it gets.
Can I use Carry on and We keep on interchangeably?
Not always. Carry on and We keep on 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.