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"Go on" is a form of "go on", an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "seguir". "Carry on" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "continuar con". Learn more about the difference between "carry on" and "go on" below.
carry on(
keh
-
ri
an
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
1. (to sustain)
a. continuar con
Why do we carry on the tradition of eating unleavened bread on Passover?¿Por qué continuamos con la tradición de comer el pan ácimo durante la Pascua?
b. seguir con
If you carry on this type of behavior, you will get detention.Si sigues con este tipo de comportamiento, te van a castigar.
a. mantener
We carried on our conversation on the bus after we got off the plane.Mantuvimos nuestra conversación en el autobús después de bajarnos del avión.
An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
4. (colloquial) (to behave badly)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. hacer trastadas
Because he kept carrying on in class, the teacher sent him to the principal's office.Como no dejaba de hacer trastadas en clase, el profesor le mandó a la oficina del director.
b. hacer un escándalo
I understand that you're upset, but please, stop carrying on.Entiendo que estés molesto, pero, por favor, deja de hacer un escándalo.
5. (colloquial) (to have an affair)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. tener un lío (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
When his wife found out he'd been carrying on for years, she asked him for a divorce.Cuando su mujer se enteró de que había tenido un lío por años, le pidió el divorcio.
b. tener una movida (colloquial) (Mexico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Mexico
Everybody knows they've been carrying on, but nobody will tell her husband.Todos saben que han tenido una movida, pero nadie se lo dirá a su esposo.
c. tener un asunto (colloquial) (River Plate)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
I carried on for years before deciding that I'd rather be single.Tuve un asunto por años antes de decidir que prefería estar soltero.
go on(
go
an
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
a. seguir
I don't know how much longer I can go on if I don't get some water soon.No sé cuánto puedo seguir si no consigo agua pronto.
b. continuar
I'm getting tired, but I have to go on and reach the camp before sundown.Me estoy cansando, pero tengo que continuar y llegar al campamento antes del atardecer.
c. durar
Her depression went on for about a year after her miscarriage.Su depresión duró alrededor de un año después de que perdió el embarazo.
a. seguir
Before you go on making jokes about her artwork, I think you should know that it sold for $10,000.Antes de que sigas haciendo chistes sobre su obra, creo que deberías saber que se vendió por $10,000.
a. basarse en
We don't have much to go on, but I think we have enough for an indictment.No tenemos mucho en que basarnos, pero creo que tenemos lo suficiente para formular cargos.
b. guiarse
The only thing the police had to go on was a blurry picture of the kidnapper.Lo único que tenía la policía para guiarse era una foto borrosa del secuestrador.
a. tener cerca de
How old is Natalia? - I think she's going on 45.¿Cuántos años tiene Natalia? - Creo que tiene cerca de 45.
b. ser cerca de
It's going on 4 pm and we still don't know if we'll be able to get on the plane.Son cerca de las 4 pm y todavía no sabemos si vamos a poder subirnos al avión.
6. (to fit)
7. (to happen)
a. pasar
I don't know what's going on over there, but it looks like a fight.No sé qué pasa ahí, pero parece ser una pelea.
b. ocurrir
What's going on here? - Nothing Dad, we're just doing an experiment for science class.¿Qué ocurre? - Nada, papá, sólo estamos haciendo un experimento para la clase de ciencias.
a. hablar
Sandra is still going on about how she won the contest in school last week.Sandra sigue hablando de cómo ganó el concurso en la escuela la semana pasada.
b. hablar sin parar
I hate people who go on about themselves for hours on end.Detesto a las personas que hablan sin parar de sí mismas durante horas y horas.
9. (theater)
10. (to switch on)
a. prenderse (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
The lights went on in the theater when the movie ended.Se prendieron las luces en el cine cuando terminó la película.
b. encenderse
The lights on the bridge go on when it gets dark.Las luces en el puente se encienden cuando oscurece.
11. (to board)
a. subirse
I'm not going to go on that roller coaster. It looks scary!No voy a subirme a esa montaña rusa. ¡Me da miedo!
A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
12. (to embark on)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Do you have anything else to go on other than a name?¿Tienes algo más por donde empezar aparte del nombre?
We don't have much to go on at the moment.Por ahora no tenemos muchas pistas.
An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
14. (encouraging)
A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. sigue (informal) (singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
Go on. You were telling me about the row with Martin.Sigue. Me estabas contando sobre la pelea con Martín.
b. siga (formal) (singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
Please go on with the idea you were outlining.Por favor siga con la idea que estaba explicando.
