Cool MateCarry vs Hold
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Carry
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Hold
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
| Carry | Hold | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkæri/","/ˈkæriz/","/ˈkærid/","/ˈkæriɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkæri/","/ˈkæriz/","/ˈkærid/","/ˈkæriɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/həʊld/","/həʊldz/","/held/","/ˈhəʊldɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/həʊld/","/həʊldz/","/held/","/ˈhəʊldɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To hold something and move it from one place to another. | To have something in your hands or arms. |
| Example | I will carry the groceries into the house. | Please hold this book while I grab my bag. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | A2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | carry a bag, carry out an assignment, carry someone’s weight, carry a message | firmly, securely, tightly, commonly, widely, deeply |
| 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 'held' in past tense forms., Using 'hold' when referring to emotional support instead of 'support'., Mistakenly used as 'hold on' in formal writing. |
| Usage notes | Use 'carry' when talking about physically moving something. It's appropriate in most contexts but can be less formal in casual conversations. | Used in both formal and informal contexts. Avoid using it in very formal writing for physical holding; instead, use 'grasp' or 'clutch.' |
Frequently asked questions: Carry vs Hold
What's the difference between Carry and Hold?
Carry: To hold something and move it from one place to another. Hold: To have something in your hands or arms.
Are Carry and Hold the same CEFR level?
Carry: A1, Hold: A2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Carry and Hold interchangeably?
Not always. Carry and Hold 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.