carry
A1Neutral. Common in all registers, from informal speech to formal and technical writing.
Definition
Meaning
To hold and transport something from one place to another, typically by supporting its weight.
To bear the weight, responsibility, or implication of something; to involve or have as a consequence; to support and move something forward.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The concept of 'carry' extends beyond physical transportation to abstract notions of responsibility, consequence, and support. It implies an ongoing action or state of bearing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. The verb 'carry out' (to perform) is slightly more frequent in British English, while 'carry' alone for transporting goods is equally common. Spelling in derived forms: 'carries' (both), 'carried' (both).
Connotations
In sports (e.g., cricket, rugby), 'carry' has specific technical meanings (carrying the bat, forward pass). In US financial contexts, 'carry' has specific meanings (carry trade).
Frequency
Extremely high frequency in both varieties with no significant divergence.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[SBJ] carry [OBJ] (from X) (to Y)[SBJ] carry [OBJ] [ADV/prep phrase][SBJ] carry [OBJ] [ADJ] (e.g., carry it open)[SBJ] carry [OBJ] + complement (e.g., carry himself well)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “carry the day”
- “carry a torch for someone”
- “carry coals to Newcastle”
- “carry the can”
- “carry off”
- “carry weight”
- “carry over”
- “carry through”
- “carry the ball”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
To bear costs or losses (e.g., 'The company will carry the debt.'), to continue an activity (e.g., 'Carry out a review').
Academic
To involve or imply (e.g., 'The argument carries significant implications.'), to support a load structurally.
Everyday
Physical transportation of objects, bearing children, continuing an action (e.g., 'Carry on talking').
Technical
In physics/engineering: to transmit or support a force or load. In computing: a digit carried in addition. In finance: the cost of holding an asset.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Could you carry these bags to the car, please?
- The law carries a maximum penalty of ten years.
- She carried on working despite the noise.
- The bridge can carry heavy loads.
American English
- I'll carry the groceries into the house.
- His opinion carries a lot of weight in this community.
- Carry on with your presentation.
- This rifle can carry a long way.
adverb
British English
- N/A (carry is not used as an adverb)
American English
- N/A (carry is not used as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- N/A (carry is not used as a standard adjective)
American English
- N/A (carry is not used as a standard adjective)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I can't carry all these books.
- The mother carries her baby.
- Please carry this box to the kitchen.
- He carried out the plan perfectly.
- This suitcase is too heavy to carry.
- The news carried a message of hope.
- The company will carry the financial losses this quarter.
- She carried herself with great dignity.
- The sound doesn't carry well in this hall.
- The treaty carries with it certain obligations for all signatories.
- His charisma allows him to carry the audience through a three-hour lecture.
- They managed to carry the motion despite strong opposition.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CAREtaker who must CARRy all the supplies for the estate.
Conceptual Metaphor
Responsibility/Consequences are physical burdens (e.g., 'carry the blame', 'carry a risk'). Continuation is a journey (e.g., 'carry on', 'carry over').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'wear' (носить одежду). 'Carry' is for portable items, not clothes. 'Carry out' ≠ 'выносить' (to take out rubbish). It means 'выполнять'. 'Carry on' ≠ 'нести на'. It means 'продолжать'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I carried my son on my back to school.' (use 'gave a piggyback' or 'carried my son ON MY BACK to school' is fine but 'to school' is ambiguous) Better: 'I gave my son a piggyback to school.' Overusing 'carry' for abstract ideas where 'have', 'involve', or 'entail' is better.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following uses of 'carry' is metaphorical?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Carry' focuses on the action of transporting while supporting weight. 'Bring' implies movement towards the speaker's location ('bring it here'), while 'take' implies movement away ('take it there'). 'Carry' can be used with both directions but emphasises the means of transport.
Yes. You can say 'carry out a task' or 'carry a task out'. However, with pronouns, it must be separated: 'carry it out' (not 'carry out it').
Yes, but usually in pipes, channels, or containers (e.g., 'The pipe carries water to the village'). Not typically for holding in hands without a vessel (you 'carry a bottle of water', not 'carry water' in your hands).
It refers to the way you hold your body and move, implying demeanour or confidence (e.g., 'He carries himself like a leader').