Phrasal Verbs with CARRY: Meaning, Examples, and Exercises

You’ve probably heard someone say,

“Carry on!” or “We need to carry out the plan.”

But what do these expressions really mean?

In English, phrasal verbs with “carry” are super common — and they can completely change the meaning of the word carry!

In this lesson, you’ll learn their meanings, see real-life examples, and try mini-exercises to test yourself.

Let’s carry on!

Table of Contents

List of Phrasal Verbs with CARRY

Carry on
Carry on with
Carry on about
Carry out
Carry over
Carry off
Carry through

Phrasal Verbs with Carry with Examples

1. Carry On — to Continue Doing Something

When you “carry on,” you keep doing something, even if it’s difficult or interrupted.

Example:

👉 We were having so much fun that we decided to carry on dancing until midnight.

🧠 Quick Tip:

You’ll often hear this in conversation as encouragement:

“Carry on!” = Keep going! Don’t stop!

Try It!

Can you make your own sentence using carry on?

(Example: I’ll carry on learning English every day!)

2. Carry On With — to Continue an Activity

This phrase means to keep doing something specific, often after a pause or despite a problem.

Example:

👉 Despite the rain, the workers carried on with their construction work.

3. Carry On About — to Complain or Talk Too Much

This one has a negative meaning.

If someone carries on about something, they keep talking or complaining about it.

Example:

👉 He’s been carrying on about the same issue for days!

4. Carry Out — to Perform or Complete a Task

This is a very common and useful phrasal verb in business, school, and daily life.

It means to do or complete something — especially a plan, job, or experiment.

Example:

👉 The researchers carried out a series of tests to confirm the results.

💬 Note:

“Carry out” is more formal than “do.”

Use it when you want to sound professional or serious.

5. Carry Over — to Continue or Move Something Forward

This means to continue something into another time or situation, like when work or emotions don’t end where they started.

Example:

👉 The meeting carried over into lunchtime because there was so much to discuss.

💡 Real-life tip:

You can carry over money, emotions, or habits from one situation to another.

Don’t carry over yesterday’s stress into today!

6. Carry Off — to Succeed or Handle Something Well

To carry off something means to do it successfully, especially if it’s difficult or unexpected.

Example:

👉 She carried off the presentation with confidence and charm.

👏 Interactive question:

Have you ever carried off something challenging — maybe a test, a job interview, or a speech?

7. Carry Through — to Complete Despite Challenges

This phrasal verb means to finish or accomplish something successfully, even when it’s hard.

Example:

👉 Their strong teamwork helped them carry through the project on time.

💬 Encouragement:

When learning English feels tough, remember — your determination will carry you through! 🌟

Exercises and Practice with Answers

Now that we have covered the different phrasal verbs with “carry”, it’s time to practice them! Here are some exercises to help you solidify your understanding:

1. Fill in the blanks with the correct phrasal verb:

I can’t believe you managed to __________ all those boxes by yourself.
We need to __________ with the project if we want to finish it on time.
The company plans to __________ with their expansion plans next year.
I’m not sure if I can __________ this heavy bag all the way home.

2. Rewrite the following sentences using a different phrasal verb with “carry”:

She carried on with her work even when she was feeling sick.
They carried out the plan exactly as they had discussed.
He carried over his bad mood from yesterday into today.

3. Match the phrasal verb with the correct definition:

Carry off	a. To complete a task or plan
Carry on	b. To continue doing something
Carry out	c. To transfer something from one place to another
Carry over	d. To succeed in doing something difficult

Answers:

Carry, carry on, carry forward, carry
She kept going with her work despite feeling unwell. They executed the plan as they had discussed. He brought his bad mood from yesterday to today.
a – Carry out, b – Carry on, c – Carry over, d – Carry off

Remember to practice these phrasal verbs regularly to become more comfortable using them in everyday conversation. Good luck!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some common phrasal verbs with ‘carry’?

There are several common phrasal verbs with ‘carry’ that are frequently used in English. Some of them include ‘carry on’, ‘carry out’, ‘carry over’, and ‘carry away’. Each of these phrasal verbs has a specific meaning and usage, so it’s important to understand them in context.

How do you use ‘carry through’ in a sentence?

‘Carry through’ is a phrasal verb that means to complete or accomplish something despite difficulties or obstacles. For example, “Despite the challenges, we were able to carry through with our plan and complete the project on time.” In this sentence, ‘carry through’ is used to describe the successful completion of a project despite obstacles.

What is the meaning of ‘carry out’ as a phrasal verb?

‘Carry out’ is a phrasal verb that means to perform or accomplish a task or action. For example, “We need to carry out the plan we discussed in the meeting.” In this sentence, ‘carry out’ is used to describe the performance of a task or action that was discussed in a meeting.