Same verb · different particle

“carry” phrasal verbs

Same verb, different particle, different meaning. Learn these 4 one at a time, then test yourself.

4 phrasal verbslisten & quiz

carry

forward on out over

carry + forward · 1 of 4

carry forward

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

carry sth forward

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.

How oftenNow and then

LevelB2

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

We didn't finish the project this week, so we'll have to carry it forward to next week.

A: Did you manage to finish the report?
B: Not yet. I'll carry it forward and work on it tomorrow.

Common mistake

Not: The losses were ~~carry~~ forward to next year.

Say: The losses were carried forward to next year.

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

More on “carry forward”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

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.

Tell it apart

Unused days get carried forward.

kept for later

Unused days get written off.

lost — you can't use them

Goes with

carry forward + balance/task

Practice saying this

Next: carry on

carry + on · 2 of 4

carry on

continue

carry on with sth

To keep doing something, especially after being interrupted or when it is difficult.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

Even though it started raining, they decided to carry on with the picnic.

A: Should we stop working now?
B: No, let's carry on for another hour.

Common mistake

Not: Just carry on ~~to talk,~~ I'm listening.

Say: Just carry on talking, I'm listening.

'Carry on' takes -ing, not a to-infinitive.

More on “carry on”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In my opinion, it's important to carry on studying even when you feel tired, because persistence leads to success.

Tell it apart

Carry on working — don't let me stop you.

continue

They carried out the plan.

performed / executed

Goes with

carry on + manner

Practice saying this

Next: carry out

carry + out · 3 of 4

carry out

perform a task

carry out sth

To do or complete a task, plan, order or piece of research, especially as part of a job or an official duty.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

The scientists will carry out more tests before making a decision.

A: Did you carry out the manager's instructions?
B: Yes, I finished everything this morning.

Common mistake

Not: We carried on the experiment.

Say: We carried out the experiment.

'Carry out' = perform/complete; 'carry on' = continue. Easy to confuse.

More on “carry out”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In my previous job, I had to carry out regular safety checks to make sure everything was working properly.

Tell it apart

They carried out the plan flawlessly.

performed it

They carried on despite the rain.

continued

Goes with

carry out + task

Practice saying this

Next: carry over

carry + over · 4 of 4

carry over

continue into another time

carry over sth

to move something that is not finished or used into a later period or time.

How oftenNow and then

LevelB2

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

We didn’t finish the project today, so we’ll have to carry it over to next week.

A: Did you finish all your homework?
B: No, I had too much, so I’ll carry some of it over to tomorrow.

Common mistake

Not: The holiday days carry over ~~for the~~ next year.

Say: The holiday days carry over to next year.

'Carry over TO' a later period, not 'for'.

More on “carry over”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

If I don’t spend all my holiday days this year, my company lets me carry them over to the next year.

Tell it apart

Unused leave carries over to next year.

moves to a later time

The mood carried over into the next day.

an effect persisted — different sense

Goes with

carry over + to a later time

Practice saying this

Test yourself: which “carry” fits?

Fill the gap

Which “carry” fits?

Read the sentence, then pick the phrasal verb that belongs in the gap.

Turn this into speaking practice

Pick one and say it out loud. Save the ones you mix up.

carry forward carry on carry out carry over