Phrasal Verb “Carry On”

1. Definition and Explanation

The phrasal verb “carry on” is a versatile and commonly used expression in English. It has several meanings depending on the context:

1. To continue or persist with an action or behavior
2. To behave in a particular way, often disapprovingly
3. To conduct or manage a business or activity

Synonyms for “carry on” include:

• Continue
• Proceed
• Persist
• Maintain
• Keep going

2. Usage in Context

“Carry on” can be used in various situations, both formal and informal. Here are some examples:

• Formal: “Despite the challenges, the research team carried on with their experiments.”
• Informal: “Don’t mind me, just carry on with what you were doing.”
• Written: “The company plans to carry on its expansion into new markets.”
• Spoken: “I can’t believe how they’re carrying on! It’s so embarrassing.”

People carrying on a conversation

3. Grammar Analysis

“Carry on” is an inseparable phrasal verb, meaning that no object can come between “carry” and “on.” When used with a pronoun, it follows this structure:

• Correct: “Carry on with it” or “Carry it on” (when referring to luggage)
• Incorrect: “Carry it on” (when meaning to continue)

Note that “carry on” can be followed by “with” when specifying what is being continued:

• “We decided to carry on with the meeting despite the interruption.”

4. Application in IELTS

In IELTS Speaking:

“Carry on” can be effectively used to demonstrate vocabulary range and fluency. For example:

Question: “How do you stay motivated when facing challenges?”
Sample answer: “When I encounter difficulties, I remind myself of my goals and simply carry on. I believe that persistence is key to success, so I try not to let setbacks discourage me. Instead, I carry on with my efforts, adjusting my approach if necessary.”

In IELTS Writing:

While “carry on” is more common in spoken English, it can be used in writing to add variety to your language. However, be mindful of the formality level required:

Academic Task 1: “The graph shows that the company carried on its growth trend throughout the decade.”

General Task 1: “I hope this letter finds you well. I’m writing to inform you that I intend to carry on with my studies next year.”

Task 2: “Despite economic challenges, many small businesses manage to carry on, demonstrating remarkable resilience.”

Business owner carrying on despite challenges

5. Related Phrasal Verbs

1. Keep up (with) /kiːp ʌp wɪð/: To continue at the same rate or level
   Example: “It’s hard to keep up with the latest technology trends.”
2. Go on /ɡəʊ ɒn/: To continue
   Example: “The meeting went on for hours.”
3. Press on /pres ɒn/: To continue in a determined way
   Example: “Despite the rain, we pressed on with our hike.”
4. Soldier on /ˈsəʊldʒər ɒn/: To continue despite difficulties
   Example: “Even when tired, she soldiered on with her studies.”
5. Push through /pʊʃ θruː/: To continue with effort, often to completion
   Example: “We pushed through the last part of the project to meet the deadline.”
6. Move forward /muːv ˈfɔːwəd/: To make progress
   Example: “Let’s move forward with our plans for expansion.”
7. Forge ahead /fɔːdʒ əˈhed/: To continue with determination
   Example: “Despite setbacks, the team forged ahead with their research.”
8. Hold on /həʊld ɒn/: To wait or continue in a difficult situation
   Example: “Hold on a moment, I’ll be right with you.”
9. Hang in there /hæŋ ɪn ðeə/: To persevere (informal)
   Example: “I know it’s tough, but hang in there. Things will improve.”
10. Stick with it /stɪk wɪð ɪt/: To continue doing something, especially when it’s difficult
    Example: “Learning a language is challenging, but stick with it, and you’ll see results.”

6. Practice Exercises

Fill in the blanks:

1. Despite the rain, the outdoor event ___ as planned.
2. The researchers decided to ___ with their experiments.
3. “Please ___ with your presentation,” the professor said.
4. It’s important to ___ learning, even after graduation.
5. The company will ___ its operations despite the economic downturn.
6. We need to ___ working until we find a solution.
7. “___ talking, I’m just listening,” she said when I apologized for interrupting.
8. The government intends to ___ with its current policies.
9. ___ with your work; don’t let distractions bother you.
10. They plan to ___ the family business after their parents retire.

Rewrite the sentences:

1. The meeting continued despite the interruptions.
   The meeting ___ despite the interruptions.
2. She persisted with her training regimen even when it got tough.
   She ___ her training regimen even when it got tough.
3. We will continue our investigation until we find the truth.
   We will ___ our investigation until we find the truth.
4. The students maintained their focus throughout the long lecture.
   The students ___ throughout the long lecture.
5. Please continue your story; it’s very interesting.
   Please ___; your story is very interesting.
6. The construction project proceeded despite budget constraints.
   The construction project ___ despite budget constraints.
7. They managed the business successfully for decades.
   They ___ the business successfully for decades.
8. We must persist with our efforts to raise awareness.
   We must ___ our efforts to raise awareness.
9. The team continued playing even in terrible weather conditions.
   The team ___ even in terrible weather conditions.
10. “Keep working on the problem,” the teacher instructed.
    “___ the problem,” the teacher instructed.

Answers and Explanations:

Fill in the blanks:

1. carried on
2. carry on
3. carry on
4. carry on
5. carry on
6. carry on
7. Carry on
8. carry on
9. Carry on
10. carry on

Rewrite the sentences:

1. The meeting carried on despite the interruptions.
2. She carried on with her training regimen even when it got tough.
3. We will carry on with our investigation until we find the truth.
4. The students carried on throughout the long lecture.
5. Please carry on; your story is very interesting.
6. The construction project carried on despite budget constraints.
7. They carried on the business successfully for decades.
8. We must carry on with our efforts to raise awareness.
9. The team carried on playing even in terrible weather conditions.
10. “Carry on with the problem,” the teacher instructed.

Explanations:
In all these sentences, “carry on” is used to express continuation or persistence. It’s a versatile phrasal verb that can replace many other expressions like “continue,” “persist,” “maintain,” or “keep going.” The exercises demonstrate how “carry on” can be used in various contexts, from formal situations like meetings and investigations to more casual scenarios like conversations and sports activities.

7. Memorization Tips

To remember “carry on” and its uses, consider these memory aids:

1. Visualize carrying a heavy load: Just as you would continue carrying a physical burden, “carry on” means to continue with a task or responsibility.
2. Think of the phrase “Keep Calm and Carry On”: This famous British motivational poster from World War II encapsulates the meaning of perseverance.
3. Associate it with luggage: “Carry-on luggage” reminds us of continuing a journey, which aligns with the phrasal verb’s meaning of continuation.
4. Create a mnemonic: “Constantly Advancing, Regardless of Roadblocks, You ON-ward go” spells out CARRY ON.
5. Use it in daily life: Make a conscious effort to use “carry on” in your conversations to reinforce its meaning and usage.

8. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Mistake: Using “carry on” in very formal writing.
   Correction: In academic or highly formal contexts, opt for more formal alternatives like “continue,” “proceed,” or “persist.”
2. Mistake: Inserting an object between “carry” and “on.”
   Correction: Remember that “carry on” is inseparable when used to mean “continue.” Use “Carry on with it” instead of “Carry it on.”
3. Mistake: Overusing “carry on” in IELTS speaking.
   Correction: While it’s good to use phrasal verbs, demonstrate range by using synonyms and varied expressions as well.
4. Mistake: Confusing “carry on” with “carry out.”
   Correction: “Carry out” means to perform or conduct, while “carry on” means to continue. Be aware of this distinction.
5. Mistake: Using “carry on” in negative imperative sentences.
   Correction: Instead of saying “Don’t carry on talking,” use “Don’t continue talking” or “Stop talking.”

To avoid these mistakes in IELTS:

• Practice using “carry on” in various contexts to become comfortable with its usage.
• Review sample answers and practice speaking aloud to internalize correct usage.
• In writing tasks, be mindful of the formality level required and choose appropriate synonyms when necessary.

9. Conclusion

Mastering the phrasal verb “carry on” can significantly enhance your performance in the IELTS exam. Its versatility allows you to express continuity and persistence in various contexts, which is particularly useful in the Speaking and Writing sections. Remember to use it naturally, alongside other vocabulary, to demonstrate your language proficiency.

As you prepare for your IELTS test, carry on practicing and incorporating this phrasal verb into your English usage. The more you use it in context, the more comfortable and natural it will become. Don’t be discouraged by initial challenges – carry on with your studies, and you’ll see improvement in your language skills and test scores.

Remember, success in IELTS isn’t just about knowing individual words or phrases; it’s about effectively communicating your thoughts and ideas. So, carry on with your preparation, stay motivated, and approach your IELTS journey with confidence and perseverance.