What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
holdover
Example
The CEO was a holdover from the previous administration. [holdover: noun]
Example
The pandemic caused a holdover of remote work policies. [holdover: adjective]
carryover
Example
The skills I learned in my previous job were a carryover to my new position. [carryover: noun]
Example
The tension from the argument carried over into the next day. [carry over: phrasal verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Carryover is more commonly used than holdover in everyday language. Carryover is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while holdover is less common and has a more specific usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between holdover and carryover?
Both holdover and carryover are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
