intransitive phrasal verb expressing continuation

to urge someone to continue working, speaking, or behaving as if nothing has happened.

after interruptions like meetings ending, during challenging tasks, after setbacks such as storms.

everyday informal speech, professional settings, emotional encouragement scenes.

carry on

carry on

working, talking, as normal, despite difficulties, regardless of circumstances.

• please
• continue
• keep going
• go ahead
• proceed
• without interruption.

• continue
• go on
• keep on
• proceed.

'Carry on' is often incorrectly followed by an infinitive (e.g., *carry on to finish*). It should be followed by a gerund (carry on doing something) or used alone without an additional verb.

go on vs. keep on (more neutral); proceed (formal), but note that in British English ‘carry on’ can also mean to make a fuss if misused.

“carry on” can also mean “make a fuss” in BrE (stop carrying on); context

• carry-on (noun
• hand luggage or fuss)

Slightly more informal and encouraging than simply saying “continue”; conveys persistence while maintaining politeness or optimism.

Signals encouragement, resilience, and the expectation of uninterrupted progress despite obstacles.

keep going

The chunk 'carry on' is particularly common in British English and is often used to encourage someone to persist in an activity or conversation despite difficulties or interruptions. It can also be used in a more general sense to mean 'to continue' without any specific emotional connotation.

carry on regardless