Language Research

carry · verb T

/ˈkær.i/Full view

carry (HOLD)

A1 to hold something or someone with your hands, arms, or on your back and take them from one place to another

Dictionary examples:

Let me carry your bag for you.

She was carrying a small child.

Learner example:

To help you I can carry some drinks and food. (Key English Test; A2; Catalan)

carry (HAVE WITH YOU)

B1 to have something with you all the time

Dictionary examples:

She still carries his photo in her purse.

Police officers in Britain do not usually carry guns.

Learner example:

I carried all of my holiday money inside it! (Preliminary English Test; B1; Turkish)

carry (TRANSPORT)

B2 to move someone or something from one place to another

Dictionary examples:

The plane was carrying 300 passengers.

The bus was carrying children to school.

Underground cables carry electricity to all parts of the city.

Police think that the body was carried down the river.

Rubbish left on the beach during the day is carried away at night by the tide.

Learner example:

Jay's swimming trunks got carried away by that huge wave. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)

carry (DISEASE)

C1 to have a disease that you might give to someone else

Dictionary example:

Mosquitoes carry malaria and other infectious diseases.

carry (HAVE)

C2 to have something as a part, quality, or result of something

Dictionary examples:

All cigarette advertising must carry a government health warning.

Murder still carries the death penalty there.

Learner example:

It is not something flashy or expensive but to me it is an object that carries great sentimental value. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

carry (SUPPORT)

C2 to support the weight of something

Dictionary example:

Is the ice thick enough to carry my weight?

Learner example:

My legs hardly managed to carry my weight as we began to enter. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; French)

carry weight

C2 to be considered important and effective in influencing someone

Dictionary example:

His opinions carry a lot of weight with the scientific community.

Learner example:

It has become increasingly important to strive for near perfection in every move they make, the pursuit of excellence therefore carrying more weight than ever and leading to strenuous tr[ai]ning program[me]s. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Swiss German)

be/get carried away

B2 to be so excited about something that you do not control what you say or do

Dictionary example:

There's far too much food - I'm afraid I got a bit carried away!

Learner example:

I was so very tired but the book was so interesting that I got carried away. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)

carry on (sth) or carry (sth) on

B1 to continue doing something, or to cause something to continue

Dictionary examples:

Let's carry on this discussion at some other time.

Carry on with your work while I'm gone.

You just have to carry on as if nothing's happened.

Steve just carried on playing on his computer.

Learner example:

I promise that when I come back I'll carry on studying. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

carry out sth or carry sth out

B1 to do or complete something, especially something that you have said you would do or that you have been told to do

Dictionary examples:

Nigel is carrying out research on early Christian art.

The hospital is carrying out tests to find out what's wrong with her.

It is hoped that the kidnappers will not carry out their threat to kill the hostages.

Don't blame me, I'm only carrying out my orders/instructions.

Learner example:

How delighted I am to read that your cinema [has] got money to carry out improvements. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)