What Does “Carry on doing sth” Mean?
“Carry on doing sth” means to continue doing something without stopping. It is often used when someone keeps an action or behavior going.
Introduction
The phrase “carry on doing sth” is a common English expression used to describe the act of continuing an activity or behavior. The “sth” stands for “something,” which means you can replace it with any verb ending in -ing. For example, “carry on working” or “carry on talking.” Understanding the carry on doing sth meaning helps learners express persistence or continuation clearly in conversations. This phrasal verb is widely used in both formal and informal settings, making it essential for English learners to master. Whether you want to encourage someone to keep going or describe ongoing actions, “carry on doing sth” is a useful phrase to know.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: carry on doing something
- Type: intransitive phrasal verb
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: to continue doing an activity
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Carry on doing sth” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means you cannot separate “carry on” and place an object between them.
Structure patterns:
- Carry on + verb-ing (e.g., carry on working)
- Carry on + doing something (e.g., carry on reading the book)
Note: You cannot say “carry something on doing” – this is incorrect.
How to Use “Carry on doing sth”?
Use “carry on doing sth” when you want to say that someone continues an action or behavior. It can show encouragement or describe persistence. It is often used to talk about ongoing activities that have not stopped.
Examples of contexts include work, study, talking, or any repeated action.
Examples
- She carried on studying even though it was late.
- Please carry on working while I make a phone call.
- They carried on talking despite the noise around them.
- He carried on playing the guitar after the concert ended.
- Carry on doing your best, and you will succeed.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: Carry the work on doing.
- Correct: Carry on doing the work.
- Incorrect: Carry on do the homework.
- Correct: Carry on doing the homework.
- Incorrect: Carry on to work.
- Correct: Carry on working.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include “keep on doing sth,” “continue doing sth,” and “go on doing sth.”
- Carry on doing sth – often used in British English, slightly more formal than “keep on.”
- Keep on doing sth – informal, common in everyday speech.
- Continue doing sth – more formal, used in writing and speech.
- Go on doing sth – similar meaning but sometimes implies a change or a new action after the first.
Example comparison: “She carried on working despite the noise” vs. “She kept on working despite the noise.” Both are correct but differ slightly in tone.
Common Collocations
- Carry on working
- Carry on talking
- Carry on studying
- Carry on playing
- Carry on trying
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of carry on doing sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: Are you tired? Should we stop the meeting?
Ben: No, let’s carry on discussing the project. We need to finish it today.
Anna: Good idea! I’ll carry on taking notes.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “carry on doing sth”:
- Even though it was raining, they __________ (carry on / play) football.
- Please __________ (carry on / read) the report while I check the data.
- She __________ (carry on / work) late into the night to finish the project.
FAQs
- Q: Can I say “carry on to do something”?
A: No, always use “carry on” with a verb ending in -ing. - Q: Is “carry on doing sth” formal or informal?
A: It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. - Q: Can “carry on” be separated by the object?
A: No, “carry on” is inseparable. - Q: What does “sth” mean in “carry on doing sth”?
A: “sth” means “something,” a placeholder for any activity. - Q: Is “carry on” the same as “keep on”?
A: They are similar but “carry on” is more common in British English, while “keep on” is informal.
