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carry over — 2 meanings

One phrase, 2 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb2 meanings
carry over
continue into another timetransfer influence

Meaning 1 · most common

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 “continue into another time”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
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Next meaning: transfer influence

Meaning 2

transfer influence

  • carry over from sth into/to/onto sth

to cause an attitude, effect, or behaviour from one situation or context to persist or have an impact in another, often unrelated, context.

How oftenNow and then
LevelC1
Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

The stress he experienced at work often carried over into his personal life, affecting his relationships.

A: Why do you think the team's negativity is affecting the new project?
B: I suspect some of the frustration from the last project has carried over.

Common mistake

Not: Don't let work stress carry over your home life.

Say: Don't let work stress carry over into your home life.

'Carry over INTO' another situation — don't drop 'into'.

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

Another example

It is important for teachers to ensure that positive classroom behaviours carry over into students' interactions outside of school.

Tell it apart

His bad mood carried over into the meeting.

  • followed him in and affected it

His bad mood wore off after lunch.

  • gradually faded

Goes with

  • carry over into
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continue into another timetransfer influence