Reply
Mon 10 Jan, 2011 04:58 am
Quote: “We can’t carry on as we are, just drifting along,” Greg had said. “All relationships have to move forward.” Or finish is what he should have added but we were both too afraid to admit it. Why does it have to be like that though, I’m happy with the way things are and I don’t see a need to ruin it all by changing. I thought Greg felt that way too. I thought he understood my need for my own independence, my own space and my own life.
I found two senses that may explain the meaning of the phrasal verb "carry on", which are given in the following quote:
Quote:2. informal behave in a specified way: they carry on in a very adult fashion
behave in an overemotional way.
3. informal be engaged in a love affair, typically one of which the speaker disapproves: she was carrying on with young Adam
Which one of the above two senses is the right answer to my question? 2 or 3?
I would suggest number three, although number two works as well. A word or an expression not only can have more than one meaning, but more than one meaning can be applicable in a situation. If you insist that you only want one, or "the best" one, maybe three is better.
On reflection, i prefer number two.
@Setanta,
I agree with number 2. The use of number three is generally derogatory. "That man is carrying on with a marrying women in the office!" The first one means to continue as you have been doing. "Although he was very distraught that his wife died, he was determined to carry on for the children."
@fansy,
fansy wrote:“We can’t carry on as we are, just drifting along,” Greg had said. “All relationships have to move forward.”
I think he just means "We can't continue as we are". That is the most usual meaning of "carry on", and it fits just fine. What Greg says next reinforces this.
@contrex,
I agree, Contrex. Carry on.
Stumble It!
Tweet This
Bookmark on Delicious
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace