press on

keep going with something even when it is hard

B2

What does "press on" mean?

To press on means to keep going with something even when things are hard — when you face problems, resistance, or setbacks that might tempt you to stop. It carries a sense of deliberate resolve: the person or group is not just continuing passively, but pushing forward against something. You might press on with a project despite delays, or press on with plans despite criticism. The phrase is slightly more formal than everyday alternatives like 'keep going' and is especially common in British English, journalism, speeches, and written narratives. It often appears in leadership contexts where someone is urging others not to give up.

Examples

How to use it

press on (no object)

The most common pattern — used when the activity is already understood from context and doesn't need to be named.

The conditions were awful, but the team pressed on.

press on with + noun

Use 'with' followed by a noun phrase to specify what you are continuing with.

Despite budget cuts, the department pressed on with the research.

press on with + it/this/that

When the activity has already been mentioned, a pronoun can replace the noun after 'with'.

The schedule was slipping, but the director decided to press on with it anyway.

must/should/let's + press on

Modal verbs and 'let's' are very natural with this phrasal verb, especially in motivational or leadership contexts.

We've hit a few obstacles, but we must press on with the campaign.

press on + despite/regardless/through

Adverbial phrases introduced by 'despite', 'regardless', or 'through' are frequently used to highlight the obstacles being overcome.

She pressed on regardless, determined to finish before the deadline.

Common Collocations

press on with the projectpress on regardlesspress on despite setbackspress on with planspress on with the workpress on through difficulties

Common Mistakes

Using a direct object after 'press on'

Press on is intransitive and cannot take a direct object. To specify the activity, use 'press on with + noun', not 'press on + noun'.

✗ We pressed on the renovation despite the delays.
✓ We pressed on with the renovation despite the delays.
Confusing 'press on' with 'carry on'

'Carry on' simply means to continue, with no particular sense of difficulty. 'Press on' specifically implies pushing forward against obstacles or resistance — use it when the determination matters.

✗ I carried on with the report despite the system crashing three times.
✓ I pressed on with the report despite the system crashing three times.
Using the present continuous unnecessarily

'Press on' sounds slightly unnatural in the present continuous in most everyday contexts. Prefer the simple present, simple past, or a modal construction.

✗ We are pressing on with the negotiations right now.
✓ We are pressing on with the negotiations — but only in narrative or reporting contexts; in most cases, 'We pressed on' or 'We must press on' fits better.

Usage

Press on is slightly more formal and more common in British English than American English; it often appears in written narratives, journalism, and speeches. In everyday speech, 'carry on' or 'keep going' are more frequent alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'press on' more British or American English?

'Press on' is more common in British English, particularly in journalism, political speeches, and written narratives. American English speakers tend to prefer 'push on' or 'move forward' in similar contexts, though 'press on' is understood and used in American English too.

Does 'press on' always need 'with' to say what you're continuing?

No — the 'with' phrase is optional. If the activity is already clear from context, you can simply say 'we pressed on' without naming it. Both 'She pressed on with the project' and 'She pressed on' are fully natural.

Does 'press on' have other meanings I should know about?

Yes, there are two other uses. One is literal — physically moving forward, as in advancing on a journey or march. The other is a rare transitive use meaning to press something onto a surface. Context usually makes it clear which sense is intended; this page focuses on the perseverance meaning.

Can I use 'press on regardless' — what does 'regardless' add?

'Press on regardless' is a very common and natural combination. 'Regardless' means 'without letting anything stop you', so it reinforces the determination already implied by 'press on'. It's a fixed-feeling phrase that often appears in both speech and writing.

Can 'press on' be used to describe a person continuing through something emotional, like grief or disappointment?

Yes, absolutely. 'Press on' works naturally in emotional or personal contexts — for example, 'After a difficult year, she pressed on with her studies.' The key is that there should be a sense of something pushing back or making things hard, whether that's practical obstacles or personal challenges.

Related Phrasal Verbs

carry on
keep on

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