carry on — continue
phrasal verbB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
To keep doing something, especially after being interrupted or when it is difficult.
Say it like a native
Textbook Please continue with your presentation.
Native Carry on.
In speech, 'carry on' is the natural way to say 'keep going'. 'Please continue with your presentation' is fine but more formal/written.
Pattern: carry on (with sth) / carry on doing sth
In use
- Even though it started raining, they decided to carry on with the picnic.daily life
- In my opinion, it's important to carry on studying even when you feel tired, because persistence leads to success.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ Just carry on to talk, I'm listening.
✓ Just carry on talking, I'm listening.
'Carry on' takes -ing, not a to-infinitive.
Common collocations
carry on + manner— working, regardless, as normal, with it
Don't confuse it
'Carry on' means to continue, while 'carry out' means to do or complete a task.