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Carry: Definitions, Usage & Common Mistakes (3 meaning)

Meaning 1:transport (carry)

carry 🔊
/ˈkæri/
v.
To hold something and take it from one place to another.
Illustration of a person carrying a heavy box up stairs, showing the physical transport meaning of carry.
transport 🔊
/trænˈspɔːrt/
v.
To physically hold and move an object from one location to another.
📁 Category:Transportation & Travel 🔖 Level:Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation
From Old North French 'carier' (to transport by cart), ultimately from Late Latin 'carricare' (to load a vehicle).
💡 Mnemonic
A CART carries CARgos; just remember the 'CARR' in CARRy.
📖 Example
Could you please carry this heavy box to the car for me? 🔊 Could you please transport this heavy box to the car for me?
🔗 Collocations
carry out – to perform or complete a task or duty
carry on – to continue doing something
carry around – to take something from place to place
🔄 Synonyms
transport (v.) – To take goods or people from one place to another, often over a distance.
haul (v.) – To pull or drag something heavy with great effort.
convey (v.) – To transport or carry something, often in a formal or systematic way.
🚫 Antonyms
drop (v.) – To let something fall or be left behind.
leave (v.) – To go away from or not take something with you.
🌱 Derivatives
carrier (n.) – A person or thing that carries or transports something.
📖 Cultural Story
The word 'carry' has its roots in Latin 'carrus' (wheeled vehicle). Initially associated with transport by cart or wagon, it evolved to mean bearing any kind of load or responsibility. It's now fundamental in both physical (carry a bag) and abstract (carry out a task) contexts.

Meaning 2:keep on one's person (carry)

carry 🔊
/ˈkæri/
v.
To have something with you, usually in your pocket, bag, or hands.
Photo of keys and phone being taken from a pocket, depicting the meaning of carry as keep on one's person.
keep on one's person 🔊
/kiːp ɒn wʌnz ˈpɜːrsən/
v.
To have something with you, typically in your pocket, bag, or hands.
📁 Category:Objects & Materials 🔖 Level:Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example
I always carry my student ID card in my wallet when I go to the library. 🔊 I always keep my student ID card on my person in my wallet when I go to the library.
🔗 Collocations
carry cash – to have physical money with you
carry a phone – to have a mobile phone with you
carry identification – to have an ID document with you
🔄 Synonyms
bear (v.) – To carry or have, especially as a visible feature or mark.
have on you (phr.) – To be in possession of something on your person.
🚫 Antonyms
leave behind (phr.) – To fail to bring something with you.

Meaning 3:bear a responsibility (carry)

carry 🔊
/ˈkæri/
v.
To have and be responsible for a particular job or duty.
Image of a project manager at work, representing the meaning of carry as bearing responsibility.
bear a responsibility 🔊
/beər ə rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪləti/
v.
To hold and be accountable for a particular role, duty, or obligation.
📁 Category:Social Roles 🔖 Level:Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example
As the team leader, she carries the main responsibility for the success of this project. 🔊 As the team leader, she bears the main responsibility for the success of this project.
🔗 Collocations
carry the burden – to bear a heavy responsibility or difficult problem
carry authority – to hold and wield official power
carry the can – to take the blame or responsibility for something
🔄 Synonyms
bear (v.) – To support a weight, burden, or responsibility.
shoulder (v.) – To take on a burden or responsibility.
hold (v.) – To have or maintain a position of responsibility.
🚫 Antonyms
shirk (v.) – To avoid or neglect a duty or responsibility.
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