carry out

Use carry out when you're talking about completing a specific task, mission, or order. It often follows a decision or a plan. You can carry out an order, a duty, an experiment, or even a threat. The object of carry out is usually something that needs to be done or performed. It sounds a bit formal, but it's super common in everyday instructions and reports.

• Your boss might ask you to carry out a market research project. Did you carry out the survey?
• Scientists carry out experiments to test their theories. They carefully carry out each step.
• The army has to carry out its mission, no matter what. They were ordered to carry out the rescue.
• You might tell a friend, 'I’ll carry out your instructions exactly.'
• A doctor might carry out a procedure. The surgeon will carry out the operation tomorrow.

Use carry out when you mean to perform or execute a task, duty, or plan. It works well for official instructions, scientific procedures, or any planned action. It’s great when you want to sound decisive and responsible. If you're reporting on what was done, carry out fits perfectly. Think of it for things that require careful execution and follow-through. It’s the bridge between intention and action.

Don't use carry out for simple actions or everyday chores unless you want to sound a bit formal. You wouldn't say 'I will carry out the dishes' or 'I carried out the trash.' That sounds odd! For those, you’d use do or take out. Avoid it for abstract ideas or feelings. You can't carry out love or carry out happiness. It’s strictly for actions and tasks. Also, don’t use it when you mean bring or transport something.

• ✗ I will carry out my friend to the party. → ✓ I will take my friend to the party.
• ✗ She carried out the groceries from the car. → ✓ She brought the groceries from the car.
• ✗ We need to carry out the decision. → ✓ We need to implement the decision. (While carry out is okay, implement is often better for decisions).
• ✗ He carried out the advice. → ✓ He followed the advice. (Followed is more natural here).

• Execute: Very similar, often used for plans or orders. 'They will execute the plan.' Sounds more formal.
• Perform: Often used for duties or tasks. 'She will perform her duties.'
• Implement: Great for putting plans or systems into action. 'We will implement the new software.'
• Complete: Focuses on finishing something. 'Please complete the form.'
• Do: The most general word. 'I need to do my homework.'

• Carry out a plan: To put a plan into action.
• Carry out an order: To obey a command.
• Carry out research: To conduct a study or investigation.
• Carry out a duty: To fulfill a responsibility.
• Carry out an experiment: To perform a scientific test.
• Carry out a task: To finish a specific job.

• Can I use carry out for everyday chores? Generally, no. Use do or take out for things like dishes or trash. Carry out sounds too formal for that.
• Is carry out formal or informal? It leans towards neutral to formal. You'll hear it in professional settings, news reports, and instructions, but it's not overly stuffy.
• What's the difference between carry out and do? Do is super general. Carry out implies a specific task, plan, or order that needs to be completed, often with some effort or procedure involved. It’s more about execution.