Cool MateCarry vs Haul
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Carry
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Haul
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most common: Carry
| Carry | Haul | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkæri/","/ˈkæriz/","/ˈkærid/","/ˈkæriɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkæri/","/ˈkæriz/","/ˈkærid/","/ˈkæriɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //hɔːl//🇺🇸 //hɔl// |
| Meaning | To hold something and move it from one place to another. | To carry or pull something heavy. |
| Example | I will carry the groceries into the house. | They had to haul the furniture up three flights of stairs. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | carry a bag, carry out an assignment, carry someone’s weight, carry a message | haul freight, haul away, haul cargo, haul a load, haul in |
| Antonyms | drop, leave, abandon | release, let go, drop |
| Common mistakes | Using 'carry' without an object, like saying 'I will carry.', Confusing 'carry' with 'take' when implying movement without physical hold., Incorrectly using 'carry' in passive voice constructions. | Confused with 'hual' which is not a word., Using 'haul' as a noun instead of a verb., Incorrect verb conjugation like 'hauled' instead of 'hauls'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'carry' when talking about physically moving something. It's appropriate in most contexts but can be less formal in casual conversations. | Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. It fits well in conversations about moving items or transporting goods, but may not suit very casual or slang settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Carry vs Haul
What's the difference between Carry and Haul?
Carry: To hold something and move it from one place to another. Haul: To carry or pull something heavy.
Which is more common: Carry and Haul?
Carry is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Carry: I will carry the groceries into the house. Haul: They had to haul the furniture up three flights of stairs.
Can I use Carry and Haul interchangeably?
Not always. Carry and Haul 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.