Meaning & use
carry
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Meanings
verbtransitive
To hold something and take it from one place to another.
Grammar: Takes an object: carry a bag.
Patterns
- carry something to somewhere
- carry something in something
She carried the groceries up the stairs.
Can you carry this box for me?
He carries a notebook everywhere.
verbtransitive
To have something with you, such as a document or a weapon.
Grammar: Often used about things on your person: carry a card.
Patterns
- carry something with you
Drivers must carry a license.
Do you carry cash?
The guard carries a radio.
verbtransitive
To support the weight of something.
Grammar: Often about structures: the pillars carry the roof.
Patterns
- carry the weight of something
The old bridge can't carry heavy trucks.
Two beams carry the roof.
Strong legs carry him through long hikes.
verbtransitive or intransitive
To transmit something such as sound, disease or information.
Grammar: Can take an object or stand alone: mosquitoes carry disease; sound carries across water.
Patterns
- carry across something
Mosquitoes carry diseases.
Her voice carries well in the hall.
The wire carries electricity to the house.
verbtransitivebusiness
To stock or sell a product.
Grammar: Used by shops and newspapers: the store carries organic food.
Patterns
- carry a product
The store carries a wide range of tools.
The newspaper carried the story on page one.
Do you carry size ten?
verbtransitiveformal
To win approval for a proposal by a vote.
Grammar: Often passive: the motion was carried.
Patterns
- carry a motion
The motion was carried by ten votes.
She carried the vote with a strong speech.
The proposal carried easily.
Word forms
| third person singular | carries |
|---|---|
| past tense | carried |
| past participle | carried |
| -ing form | carrying |
Common combinations
- carry a bag
- He carried a heavy bag on his back.
- carry out
- They carried out the experiment carefully.
- carry on
- Please carry on with your work.
- carry the blame
- She refused to carry the blame.
- carry weight
- His opinion carries weight.
- carry a tune
- He can't carry a tune.
Synonyms and how they differ
- bear
- Bear is more formal and often used for weight or responsibility.
- transport
- Transport suggests moving goods over a long distance, usually by vehicle.
- convey
- Convey is formal and can also mean to communicate an idea.
- haul
- Haul suggests dragging something heavy with effort.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: carry or carrier?
carry vs carrier
Carrier is a noun for someone who carries, while carry is the verb.
Practice
Which sentence uses carry to mean support weight?
Choose one answer.
The pillars bear the weight of the roof. The other sentences use different senses.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “carry”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.