verb

carried out

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Carried out (verb) means Performed or completed a task, order, plan or piece of work; the past tense and past participle of carry out. Example: “Repairs were carried out over the weekend.”

verb

Performed or completed a task, order, plan or piece of work; the past tense and past participle of carry out.

"Repairs were carried out over the weekend."

"Police carried out a search of the property."

Fulfilled a promise, threat or instruction.

"He never carried out his threat to resign."

"The orders were carried out to the letter."

How to Use Carried out

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDid something that had been planned or ordered.

When to use it

Neutral and very common in formal, official and journalistic writing, especially in the passive: 'an investigation was carried out'. In American English 'conduct' or 'perform' often appears instead.

Memory tip

'Carry out' is separable with a pronoun — 'carry it out', never 'carry out it' — but stays together with a full noun phrase: 'carry out the plan'.

Easily confused with

carry on carry off carry through carried away

Common pairings

carried out an investigation carried out repairs carried out a survey carried out an attack carried out orders

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Repairs were _____ over the weekend.

Synonyms

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performed conducted executed undertook implemented fulfilled honoured acted on

Related Words

content proud achieved satisfied Sung fulfilled honoured reverend

Rhymes for carried out

out tout bout gout lout pout rout about trout spout clout grout

See all rhymes for carried out →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'carry out' and 'carry on'?

'Carry out' means to perform or complete a specific task. 'Carry on' means to continue with something already in progress. You carry out an inspection, but you carry on working.

What is the difference between 'carried out' and 'carried away'?

'Carried out' means performed or done. 'Carried away' means losing control of yourself through excitement or emotion, as in 'sorry, I got a bit carried away'. They share nothing but the verb.

Is 'carried out' formal?

It is neutral but leans formal, and is standard in reports, official statements and news writing. In casual speech people are more likely to say 'did' — 'they did the repairs' rather than 'repairs were carried out'.

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