I'll pick you up/carry you on my back

Question

A kid falls down and gets hurt, so her mother says:

I'll pick you up on my back.

Or

I'll carry you on my back.

What should be used: "pick up/carry"? Do both of them sound equally?

MikeB · Accepted Answer · 2019-05-28 10:54:01Z

1

"Carry" sounds much better, but in most cases I would expect to use "piggy-back" or something similar.

If you really want to go with the 'pick up' theme, then I would use "I'll put you on my back"

answered May 28, 2019 at 10:54

MikeB

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Can you please give me an example for "piggy-back"?
– It's about English
May 28, 2019 at 11:03
"I'll give you a piggy-back." or maybe: "I'll give you a piggy-back ride."
– MikeB
May 28, 2019 at 11:04
And what about: "I'll piggyback you."?
– It's about English
May 28, 2019 at 11:07
Will piggy-back be more common?
– It's about English
May 28, 2019 at 11:07
"I'll piggy-back you" would normally be said by the person about to be carried, not by the carrier. Piggy-back should be recognised by any native speaker, though I think the USA have mangled it in to "pick-a-back"
– MikeB
May 28, 2019 at 11:12

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