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Grammar fix

carry forward

to move something to a later time or to the next stage

to transfer something, such as an amount, plan, or task, to a future time or the next stage because it was not finished or used before.

phrasal verbB2occasional

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • We didn't finish the project this week, so we'll have to carry it forward to next week.work
  • If I can't use all my annual leave this year, my company allows me to carry forward a few days to the next year.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: carry something forward

WrongThe losses were carry forward to next year.

RightThe losses were carried forward to next year.

Use the past participle 'carried forward' in the passive — not 'carry forward'.

Patterncarry something forward

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff Any unused leave will be transferred to the subsequent year.

Natural Any unused leave gets carried forward to next year.

'Carry forward' is the standard term for moving a balance or task on; the paraphrase is heavy.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • carry forward + balance/task
    the balanceunused daysa lossmomentum

Don't confuse it

'Carry on' means to continue doing something, not to move it to the future.

Try it in Daily Speak →