Cool MateCarry on vs You go on
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Carry on
Top 2,000 (common)
You go on
Top 2,000 (common)
| Carry on | You go on | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈkæri ɒn//🇺🇸 //ˈkæri ɑn// | 🇬🇧 //juː ɡəʊ ɒn//🇺🇸 //ju ɡoʊ ɑn// |
| Meaning | To continue doing something. | To continue doing something or to proceed. |
| Example | Despite the distractions, she decided to carry on with her studies. | You go on, I'm listening. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | carry on working, carry on despite, carry on with a task | go on talking, go on with that, go on to explain |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'carry out', which means to perform or execute., Using 'carry on' without a gerund or direct object when required. | 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. | 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 You go on
What's the difference between Carry on and You go on?
Carry on: To continue doing something. You go on: To continue doing something or to proceed.
Can you show an example of each?
Carry on: Despite the distractions, she decided to carry on with her studies. You go on: You go on, I'm listening.
Can I use Carry on and You go on interchangeably?
Not always. Carry on 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.