A1 verb Neutral #175 most common

carry

/ˈkæri/

To hold something or someone and move them from one place to another. This usually involves using your hands, arms, or a vehicle to support the weight of the object while moving.

Examples

3 of 5
1

Can you help me carry these heavy grocery bags to the car?

Can you help me move these heavy grocery bags to the car?

2

The diplomat was chosen to carry the official message to the president.

The diplomat was chosen to deliver the official message to the president.

3

I'll carry your books for you if you want.

I will hold and move your books for you if you want.

Word Family

Noun
carriage
Verb
carry
Adjective
carriable
Related
carrier
💡

Memory Tip

Think of a 'CAR'—it 'CARries' people and luggage from one place to another.

Quick Quiz

The boxes are very heavy; can you help me ___ them?

Correct!

The correct answer is: carry

Examples

1

Can you help me carry these heavy grocery bags to the car?

everyday

Can you help me move these heavy grocery bags to the car?

2

The diplomat was chosen to carry the official message to the president.

formal

The diplomat was chosen to deliver the official message to the president.

3

I'll carry your books for you if you want.

informal

I will hold and move your books for you if you want.

4

Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the entire body.

academic

Red blood cells transport oxygen throughout the entire body.

5

Our retail stores no longer carry that particular model of laptop.

business

Our retail stores no longer stock or sell that particular model of laptop.

Word Family

Noun
carriage
Verb
carry
Adjective
carriable
Related
carrier

Common Collocations

carry a bag to hold and move a bag
carry weight to have importance or physical heaviness
carry a child to hold and move a child in one's arms
carry a passenger to transport a person in a vehicle
carry a tray to hold and move a flat board with food or drinks

Common Phrases

carry on

to continue doing something

carry out

to perform or complete a task

get carried away

to become too excited or lose control

Often Confused With

carry vs bring

'Bring' focuses on movement toward the speaker, while 'carry' describes the general act of holding and moving regardless of direction.

carry vs take

'Take' often emphasizes the destination (moving away from the speaker), whereas 'carry' emphasizes the physical effort of holding the object.

📝

Usage Notes

Use 'carry' when you are supporting the weight of something while moving. In a business context, it can also mean that a shop keeps a specific item in stock for sale.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often forget that 'carry' ends in 'y', so the past tense changes to 'carried' (y to i).

💡

Memory Tip

Think of a 'CAR'—it 'CARries' people and luggage from one place to another.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Old French word 'carier', which means to transport in a vehicle or carriage.

Grammar Patterns

Transitive verb (requires an object: carry something) Past tense: carried Present participle: carrying
🌍

Cultural Context

In many English-speaking cultures, it is considered polite to offer to carry heavy items for the elderly or for someone who has their hands full.

Quick Quiz

The boxes are very heavy; can you help me ___ them?

Correct!

The correct answer is: carry

Related Words

subsupertion

C1

Describing a state, process, or entity that exists across or connects both subordinate and superior levels within a hierarchical system. It refers to the intersectional quality of elements that influence both the foundational and the overarching structures of an organization or concept.

multiphobfy

C1

A psychological state characterized by the convergence and compounding of multiple distinct phobias into a single, pervasive condition. It refers to the complex interplay where various irrational fears amplify each other, often leading to total cognitive paralysis.

adnavant

C1

Describing something that is moving forward or situated in a leading, proactive position within a sequence or system. It is often used in technical or formal contexts to denote a state of advancement or a strategic frontward placement.

uniscendure

C1

To integrate multiple complex systems or disparate elements into a single, cohesive, and simplified path of operation. It describes the act of unifying various components while simultaneously grounding them into a more accessible or fundamental structure.

enalterion

C1

Describes a state, condition, or pattern that occurs in a sequence of alternating or recurring stages. It is typically used in technical, medical, or formal contexts to characterize systems that shift between two or more distinct modes.

superloqucide

C1

Describing a person or style of communication that is so excessively talkative it effectively 'kills' the conversation or prevents others from participating. It refers to a level of verbosity that dominates and stifles any potential for balanced dialogue.

circumuniery

C1

The state or act of encircling a single, central point or unity. It describes a structural or conceptual arrangement where all elements are oriented toward a one-point focus or central core.

bigravive

C1

Describes a state or entity influenced by two distinct centers of gravity or significant forces. It is typically used to characterize situations where two powerful, often opposing, pressures exert equal pull on an individual or system.

contraclamly

C1

A rare adjective describing a state of being quietly defiant or stubbornly silent in direct opposition to public noise or popular outcry. It characterizes an individual or attitude that uses composed silence as a strategic tool to resist external pressure or chaos.

univadacy

C1

To unify or standardize disparate elements, systems, or ideas into a single, cohesive framework. This verb is primarily used in specialized technical or administrative contexts to describe the process of achieving total systemic consistency.

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