Master Your Meetings: Your Essential List of Phrasal Verbs for Business Meetings and Emails

Yes, absolutely. Some of the most essential phrasal verbs for business meetings and emails include follow up, draw up, bring forward, call off, and look into. These phrases are fundamental to professional communication, helping you schedule events, discuss topics, and assign tasks with clarity and confidence.

Mastering professional English goes beyond just knowing vocabulary; it’s about understanding the nuances of how native speakers communicate in a corporate setting. Using phrasal verbs correctly can make you sound more natural, fluent, and professional. This guide provides a comprehensive list of essential phrasal verbs for business meetings and emails, complete with clear definitions and practical examples to help you elevate your workplace English.

Which Essential Phrasal Verbs for Business Meetings and Emails Should I Learn First?

When you’re starting out, it’s best to focus on the phrasal verbs that appear most frequently in day-to-day business operations. These can be grouped into two main categories: those for planning and scheduling, and those used during the discussion itself. Here is a list of the most common ones to master.

Phrasal Verbs for Planning & Scheduling

These phrases are crucial for organizing your calendar and coordinating with colleagues.

Set up (something): To arrange or organize an event.
Meeting Example: "I will set up a video call for 3 PM on Thursday."
Email Example: "Could you please set up a meeting with the marketing team for next week?"

Bring forward (something): To move a meeting or event to an earlier time or date.
Meeting Example: "Can we bring forward our one-on-one to 10 AM instead of 11 AM?"
Email Example: "Due to the client's new deadline, we need to bring forward the project kickoff meeting to this Wednesday."

Put back / Push back (something): The opposite of *bring forward*; to move a meeting to a later time or date.
Meeting Example: "We have a conflict, so we'll have to push back the review until next week."
Email Example: "I am writing to request if we can put back our call to Friday afternoon."

Call off (something): To cancel a planned event.
Meeting Example: "John is sick, so we need to call off the team lunch."
Email Example: "Please be advised that tomorrow's training session has been called off."

Phrasal Verbs for Discussing Topics

Once you're in the meeting, these phrases will help you navigate the conversation smoothly.

Go over (something): To review or examine something in detail.
Meeting Example: "First, let's go over the action items from our last meeting."
Email Example: "Before the call, please take a moment to go over the attached report."

Bring up (something): To introduce a subject for discussion.
Meeting Example: "That's a good point. I'd also like to bring up the new budget proposal."
Email Example: "In our next sync, I plan to bring up the feedback from the user survey."

Look into (something): To investigate or research a problem or situation.
Meeting Example: "I'm not sure about those figures. I will look into it and report back."
Email Example: "Thank you for flagging this issue. Our technical team will look into it immediately."

Weigh in (on something): To give an opinion or join a discussion.
Meeting Example: "I'd like a few other people to weigh in before we make a final decision."
Email Example: "Sarah, could you weigh in on the design mockups when you have a moment?"

What are some Essential Phrasal Verbs for Business Emails and Follow-up Actions?

Clear written communication is just as important as speaking. Using the right phrasal verbs in your emails ensures that your messages about next steps and action items are understood perfectly. This list of essential phrasal verbs for business meetings and emails focuses on communication that happens before and after the meeting.

Phrasal Verbs for Email Correspondence and Actions

Follow up (with someone / on something): To take further action or contact someone again to check on progress.
Email Example: "I'm writing to follow up on our conversation from last Tuesday. Do you have any updates?"

Get back to (someone): To respond to someone at a later time.
Email Example: "I don't have the answer right now, but I will check and get back to you by the end of the day."

Draw up (something): To prepare a formal, written document like a contract, proposal, or report.
Email Example: "Following our discussion, I will draw up a formal proposal and send it over for your review."

Fill (someone) in (on something): To provide someone with missed information or updates.
Email Example: "Welcome back from your vacation! I've scheduled a quick call to fill you in on the project's progress."

Reach out (to someone): A common, slightly more modern way to say 'contact someone'.
Email Example: "Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions about the presentation."

By incorporating this list of essential phrasal verbs for business meetings and emails into your vocabulary, you will significantly improve your professional communication skills. Practice them in your next meeting or email to build confidence and fluency in your workplace English.

Frequently Asked Questions about Business Phrasal Verbs

Are phrasal verbs too informal for business?

Not at all. While some phrasal verbs are very informal, many (like the ones listed above) are standard in professional and corporate language. Using them correctly shows a high level of English proficiency and helps you sound more natural.

How can I remember new phrasal verbs?

Practice is key. Try to create your own example sentences related to your specific job. You can also create flashcards or use a note-taking app to review them regularly. The best way is to actively try to use one or two new phrasal verbs in your meetings or emails each week.

What's the difference between 'put off' and 'call off'?

This is a common point of confusion. To put off something (or *put it back*) means to postpone it to a later time or date. To call off something means to cancel it completely, with no plan to reschedule.

Can you use 'reach out' in a formal email?

Yes, 'reach out' has become a very common and widely accepted phrase in modern business communication, from casual emails to more formal correspondence. It's seen as a friendly and professional way to say 'contact'.