What Does “Carry sth out” Mean?
“Carry sth out” means to complete or perform a task, plan, or instruction successfully. It refers to putting something into action or making sure it happens.
Introduction
The phrase “carry sth out” is a common phrasal verb in English that means to execute or complete something, such as a task, order, or plan. Understanding the carry sth out meaning is important because it is frequently used in both spoken and written English. Whether you are talking about carrying out a project at work or carrying out instructions at school, this phrase helps express that an action has been performed. It can be used in formal and informal contexts, making it a versatile expression. Knowing how to use “carry sth out” correctly will boost your confidence in English communication.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: carry something out
- Type: transitive
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Meaning: to perform or complete a task, order, or plan
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Carry sth out” is a separable phrasal verb. This means you can place the object (something) between “carry” and “out” or after “out.”
- Carry something out
- Carry out something
Example:
- She carried the plan out carefully.
- She carried out the plan carefully.
How to Use “Carry sth out”?
You use “carry sth out” when you want to say that someone has completed a specific job, task, or instruction. It often refers to actions that require effort or follow a set procedure.
Examples of contexts include:
- Carrying out experiments in science
- Carrying out instructions from a manager
- Carrying out an investigation or survey
- Carrying out repairs or maintenance
Remember to use it with an object (something) that represents the task or action being completed.
Examples
- The team carried out the project ahead of schedule.
- Police carried out a thorough investigation.
- We need to carry out the safety checks before opening the factory.
- The doctor carried out the operation successfully.
- She carried out the instructions exactly as given.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: Carry out the.
- Correct: Carry out the task.
- Incorrect: Carry out carefully the test.
- Correct: Carry out the test carefully.
- Incorrect: Carry out without object.
- Correct: Carry out the plan.
“Carry sth out” always needs an object (something to carry out). Omitting the object is incorrect.
Differences / Synonyms
- Carry out vs. Do: “Carry out” sounds more formal and often used for specific tasks or instructions. “Do” is more general.
- Carry out vs. Complete: “Complete” focuses on finishing something, while “carry out” emphasizes performing the action.
- Carry out vs. Execute: “Execute” is more formal and often used in legal or official contexts, while “carry out” is more common in everyday use.
Common Collocations
- Carry out a plan
- Carry out an order
- Carry out research
- Carry out a survey
- Carry out repairs
- Carry out an investigation
- Carry out instructions
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of carry sth out:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: Have you carried out the new safety procedures yet?
John: Yes, I carried them out yesterday. Everything went smoothly.
Anna: Great! We need to carry out regular checks to keep things safe.
John: Absolutely, I will carry out the next check next week.
Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct form of “carry out”:
- They _______ a survey to understand customer needs.
- The engineers will _______ the repairs tomorrow.
- We must _______ the instructions carefully.
Answers: carried out, carry out, carry out
FAQs
- Q: Can “carry out” be used without an object?
A: No, “carry out” always requires an object to complete its meaning. - Q: Is “carry out” formal or informal?
A: It is neutral but slightly more formal than just “do.” - Q: Can I say “carry out the work” and “carry the work out”?
A: Yes, both forms are correct because “carry out” is separable. - Q: What is the difference between “carry out” and “complete”?
A: “Carry out” focuses on performing an action, while “complete” means finishing something. - Q: Is “carry out” only used for physical tasks?
A: No, it can be used for both physical and non-physical tasks, such as research or investigations.
