Cool MateCarry on vs Continue vs Persist vs Proceed vs You go on
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Carry on
Continue
Persist
Proceed
You go on
| Carry on | Continue | Persist | Proceed | You go on | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈkæri ɒn//🇺🇸 //ˈkæri ɑn// | 🇬🇧 /["/kənˈtɪnjuː/","/kənˈtɪnjuːz/","/kənˈtɪnjuːd/","/kənˈtɪnjuːɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈtɪnjuː/","/kənˈtɪnjuːz/","/kənˈtɪnjuːd/","/kənˈtɪnjuːɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //pəˈsɪst//🇺🇸 //pərˈsɪst// | 🇬🇧 //prəˈsiːd//🇺🇸 //prəˈsid// | 🇬🇧 //juː ɡəʊ ɒn//🇺🇸 //ju ɡoʊ ɑn// |
| Meaning | To continue doing something. | To keep doing something without stopping. | To keep trying despite difficulties or obstacles. | To go forward or continue doing something. | To continue doing something or to proceed. |
| Example | Despite the distractions, she decided to carry on with her studies. | Please continue with your presentation after the break. | Despite numerous setbacks, she decided to persist with her research project. | Once the approval is granted, we can proceed with the project. | You go on, I'm listening. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | A2 | C1 | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | verb | verb | ||
| Collocations | carry on working, carry on despite, carry on with a task | continue doing, continue with, continue on, continue to speak, continue until | persist in doing something, persist with a plan, persist through challenges | proceed with caution, proceed to the next step, proceed according to plan | go on talking, go on with that, go on to explain |
| Antonyms | - | stop, cease, halt | give up, quit, yield | stop, halt, cease | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'carry out', which means to perform or execute., Using 'carry on' without a gerund or direct object when required. | 'Continue' followed by a noun instead of a gerund (e.g., 'continue the project' instead of 'continue doing the project'), Confusing 'continue' with 'resume' — 'resume' implies starting again after a pause, Using 'continue to' followed by an adjective (incorrect) instead of a verb (correct) | Confused with 'insist' - both imply persistence but have different uses., Incorrect verb form - it's 'persisted' for past tense, not 'persisted' for plural subjects., Omitting subject pronoun is common in informal speech. | Confused with 'proceeding' (the noun form)., Incorrectly using 'to' when 'with' is needed., Using it in passive voice (e.g., 'be proceeded' is incorrect). | Using 'go on' without context, leading to confusion about what to continue., Confusing 'go on' with 'keep going', which can change the nuance slightly., Omitting 'to' before the verb in infinitive constructions like 'go on to explain'. |
| 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. | Use 'continue' when talking about ongoing actions or processes. It's neutral, so it's appropriate in most contexts, but can sound too formal in casual conversations. Avoid using in contexts where you're suggesting to start something new. | Use 'persist' when you want to express determination to continue with an action. It can apply to personal efforts, research, or legislative processes. Avoid using it in casual contexts where simpler words like 'hang on' might be more appropriate. | Used in both formal and informal contexts. Common in instructions, legal documents, and project management. | Used to indicate that someone should continue speaking or performing an action. It is appropriate in both casual and formal settings but can be less formal depending on context. |
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Frequently asked questions: Carry on vs Continue vs Persist vs Proceed vs You go on
What's the difference between Carry on, Continue, Persist, Proceed, and You go on?
Carry on: To continue doing something. Continue: To keep doing something without stopping. Persist: To keep trying despite difficulties or obstacles. Proceed: To go forward or continue doing something. You go on: To continue doing something or to proceed.
Which is more advanced: Carry on, Continue, Persist, Proceed, and You go on?
Persist is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Carry on: Despite the distractions, she decided to carry on with her studies. Continue: Please continue with your presentation after the break. Persist: Despite numerous setbacks, she decided to persist with her research project. Proceed: Once the approval is granted, we can proceed with the project. You go on: You go on, I'm listening.
Can I use Carry on, Continue, Persist, Proceed, and You go on interchangeably?
Not always. Carry on, Continue, Persist, Proceed, and You go 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.