carry forward
Transfer to a future time
Literally: to carry (something) forward (into the future)
In 15 Seconds
- Moving a balance or idea into a new period.
- Keeping traditions or lessons alive for the future.
- Commonly used in finance, business, and personal growth contexts.
Meaning
To take something from the past—like a tradition, a lesson, or even a math number—and keep it going into the future.
Key Examples
3 of 6In a business meeting
We should carry forward the lessons from our last product launch.
We should carry forward the lessons from our last product launch.
Discussing family history
I want to carry forward my grandmother's recipes for my own children.
I want to carry forward my grandmother's recipes for my own children.
Talking about work benefits
Can I carry forward my unused holiday days to next year?
Can I carry forward my unused holiday days to next year?
Cultural Background
The phrase originated in 18th-century accounting practices where balances were physically moved to new ledger pages. It has since evolved into a metaphor for resilience and honoring heritage in Western cultures. It reflects a societal focus on linear progress and 'building' rather than starting over.
The 'Separable' Rule
You can put the object in the middle! Saying 'carry the balance forward' sounds very natural and smooth in conversation.
Don't confuse with 'Carry On'
`Carry on` means to continue what you are doing right now. `Carry forward` means to take a specific result into a future time.
In 15 Seconds
- Moving a balance or idea into a new period.
- Keeping traditions or lessons alive for the future.
- Commonly used in finance, business, and personal growth contexts.
What It Means
Carry forward is about continuity. It means you don't leave something behind. You take a piece of your history or a specific result and move it into your next chapter. Think of it like a relay race. You are holding the baton and running into the next lap. It can be about money, ideas, or even family values.
How To Use It
You usually use it when one phase ends and another begins. In accounting, you carry forward a balance to the next month. In life, you carry forward a legacy. You can place the object in the middle or at the end. For example, carry the balance forward or carry forward the balance. Both work perfectly fine!
When To Use It
Use it in a meeting when discussing project goals. Use it when talking to your kids about family traditions. It is great for financial discussions too. If you have leftover vacation days, you carry them forward to next year. It sounds proactive and organized. It shows you are thinking about the future.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for physical objects you are just moving. If you move a chair to the next room, you don't carry it forward. That sounds like the chair has a deep spiritual mission. Also, avoid it for negative things you want to forget. You don't carry forward a bad breakup. You just move on from that.
Cultural Background
This phrase has deep roots in bookkeeping and math. Before computers, accountants literally wrote numbers on the next page. This created a culture of 'bringing the past into the present.' Today, it represents the Western value of progress and building upon previous success. It is very common in corporate 'corporate speak' in the US and UK.
Common Variations
You might hear carry over. They are very similar. Carry over is more common for sports scores or vacation days. Carry forward feels a bit more intentional and visionary. In British English, you might hear brought forward in accounting, which is the opposite perspective of the same action.
Usage Notes
The phrase is highly versatile but leans toward professional or reflective contexts. Avoid using it for simple physical movements to prevent sounding overly dramatic.
The 'Separable' Rule
You can put the object in the middle! Saying 'carry the balance forward' sounds very natural and smooth in conversation.
Don't confuse with 'Carry On'
`Carry on` means to continue what you are doing right now. `Carry forward` means to take a specific result into a future time.
The Tax Secret
In the US and UK, 'tax loss carryforward' is a huge topic. It's a clever way businesses save money by using past losses to lower future taxes!
Examples
6We should carry forward the lessons from our last product launch.
We should carry forward the lessons from our last product launch.
Refers to using past experiences to improve future work.
I want to carry forward my grandmother's recipes for my own children.
I want to carry forward my grandmother's recipes for my own children.
Used for emotional or cultural heritage.
Can I carry forward my unused holiday days to next year?
Can I carry forward my unused holiday days to next year?
Common administrative use regarding time or money.
I'm carrying forward my gym streak into the new month! No stopping now.
I'm carrying forward my gym streak into the new month! No stopping now.
Informal use regarding personal habits.
I have so much debt, I'm basically carrying forward my stress to the year 2050.
I have so much debt, I'm basically carrying forward my stress to the year 2050.
Hyperbole for comedic effect.
The remaining credit will be carried forward to the next billing cycle.
The remaining credit will be carried forward to the next billing cycle.
Passive voice is common in formal documents.
Test Yourself
Choose the best word to complete the professional goal.
We need to ___ forward the momentum we built in Q1.
The standard collocation for moving momentum or balances into a new period is `carry forward`.
Complete the sentence about family traditions.
It is important to carry ___ the values our parents taught us.
`Carry forward` implies a long-term continuation into the future.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'Carry Forward'
Talking about habits or streaks.
Carrying forward my win streak.
Personal life and traditions.
Carry forward family names.
Accounting and Business.
The loss was carried forward for tax purposes.
Where to use 'Carry Forward'
Banking
Moving a balance.
Heritage
Keeping a legacy alive.
Workplace
Using old data for new plans.
Education
Applying old skills to new classes.
Practice Bank
2 exercisesWe need to ___ forward the momentum we built in Q1.
The standard collocation for moving momentum or balances into a new period is `carry forward`.
It is important to carry ___ the values our parents taught us.
`Carry forward` implies a long-term continuation into the future.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot at all! While it started in accounting, we use it for ideas, traditions, and even vacation days. For example: We carry forward our values.
Usually no. If you are moving a box, just say move or carry. Carry forward is for abstract things like data or concepts.
They are almost identical. Carry over is more common for vacation days or sports, while carry forward sounds slightly more professional or intentional.
It is neutral to formal. It is perfect for an office or a serious conversation, but might sound a bit 'heavy' for a casual party.
Just change 'carry' to 'carried'. Example: We carried the balance forward to the next month.
Yes! It is very common to put 'it' or 'them' in the middle. I have two extra days; I'll carry them forward.
Yes, 'carryforward' (one word) is used as a noun in finance to describe the amount being moved.
No. Postpone means to delay an event. Carry forward means to take a result or value with you into the next phase.
Yes, it is used globally in English-speaking business and law.
Only metaphorically, like carrying forward the memory of a person. You wouldn't use it for a physical person.
Related Phrases
carry over
To extend into a new situation or period.
pass down
To give something to a younger generation.
bring forward
To move an event to an earlier time (UK) or to show a balance.
keep alive
To make sure a tradition or idea does not die out.
