Phrasal verb
carry forward
Meanings
To postpone and continue something at a later time, especially in a meeting or schedule.
To transfer information or work from an earlier document, version, or stage into a new one.
To keep a remaining amount to be used in a later period (general usage, not limited to any specific field).
Definition
To carry forward means to move something from an earlier time or place to a later one so it can be used or discussed again.
To carry forward is to continue or transfer something into the next stage, period, or version. You can carry forward information, plans, or work from one meeting, document, or project phase to the next. It often implies not finishing something now and dealing with it later, or reusing earlier material in a new context.
Examples
- I’ll carry forward this discussion to our next meeting.
- Can you carry forward the key points into the new draft?
- She decided to carry forward the unfinished tasks to Monday.
- They carried forward the notes from the workshop into their final report.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse carry forward with carry out; carry forward means continue or transfer to a later time, not perform or complete.
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.