How to use "carry out"

What Does "carry out" Mean?

• The phrasal verb "carry out" means to perform, conduct, or execute a task, plan, order, or experiment. It implies taking action to complete something.
• The meaning is semi-idiomatic. While "carry" retains its sense of supporting or moving, "out" adds the nuance of completion or fulfillment.
• The register is neutral to formal, suitable for professional, academic, and general contexts.

How to Use It

• Grammatical pattern: verb + particle + noun (transitive phrasal verb).
• Typical objects include: an investigation, a plan, an order, a task, research, an experiment, reforms, operations, executions, assassinations.
• The components of "carry out" can sometimes be separated, especially when the object is long or complex. However, it generally sounds more natural to keep them together: "carry the investigation out" is grammatically correct, but less common than "carry out the investigation."
• What sounds unnatural: using the wrong preposition (e.g., "carry on" when you mean "carry out"), using a verb other than "carry" (e.g., "do out" instead of "carry out"), or using an object that doesn't typically collocate with "carry out" (e.g., "carry out a feeling").

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from carry out on Ludwig.guru.

"They carry out an investigation." — The Washington Post

"Greece must eventually carry out painful reforms." — The New York Times

"Biological crusts carry out myriad ecological roles." — Encyclopedia Britannica

"That they carry out assassinations?" — The New York Times

"Few actually carry out executions." — The Washington Post

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/carry+out

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
execute	More formal; often used in legal or technical contexts.
perform	General synonym; slightly more formal.
conduct	Often used with experiments, studies, or investigations.
implement	Suggests putting a plan or system into effect.
undertake	Implies taking on a task or responsibility.
discharge	Formal, often used for duties or obligations.
fulfill	To bring to completion or reality.

Common Mistakes

• Using the wrong preposition: Saying "carry on an investigation" when you mean carry out an investigation.
• Using the wrong verb: Saying "do out" instead of carry out.
• Separability errors: While separation is possible, it's often less natural. "Carry the task out" is less common than carry out the task.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Meaning	Grammatical Pattern	Register
carry out	To perform, conduct, or execute	verb + particle + noun	Neutral to Formal

FAQs

Can the words in "carry out" be separated in a sentence?

While grammatically possible, separating the words in "carry out" is generally less common and can sound awkward, especially with short objects. For example, "carry it out" is perfectly fine, but "carry the detailed investigation out" sounds better as "carry out the detailed investigation". Keeping "carry out" together usually results in a more natural sentence flow.

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How is "carry out" different from "carry on"?

"Carry out" means to perform or complete a specific task or action. In contrast, "carry on" means to continue doing something, often despite difficulties or interruptions. Confusing these can lead to significant changes in meaning; for instance, "We will carry out the experiment" means we will perform it, while "We will carry on with the experiment" means we will continue doing it.

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What's a common mistake people make with "carry out" and how can I avoid it?

A common mistake is using "carry" with a different preposition or a noun that doesn't typically collocate with it, or confusing it with similar phrasal verbs like "carry on". To avoid this, always check the context and ensure the object of "carry out" is something that can be performed or executed, like a plan, task, investigation, or order. Remember, "carry on" means to continue, not to perform.