The 10 most common phrasal verbs for everyday business conversations include essential terms like *follow up*, *deal with*, and *look into*. Mastering these phrases is crucial for clear and natural communication in professional settings, helping you manage tasks, discuss problems, and arrange meetings with confidence.
Navigating the world of business English can be challenging, especially when you encounter phrasal verbs. These are phrases where a verb is combined with a preposition or an adverb, creating a meaning that is different from the original verb. While they might seem like informal idioms, they are a vital part of professional English vocabulary, used daily by native speakers in emails, meetings, and reports. Learning them will make you sound more fluent and help you understand your colleagues better.
What are the 10 most common phrasal verbs for everyday business conversations?
Here is a practical list of the key phrasal verbs you will hear and use constantly in the workplace. We've included clear definitions and real-world examples to help you master them.
How do you use 'follow up'?
Meaning: To contact someone again to get more information or to ensure an action has been completed.
- Example 1: "Thanks for the meeting. I will follow up with an email summary tomorrow."
- Example 2: "Could you please follow up with the IT department about my computer issue?"
What does 'deal with' mean?
Meaning: To handle or take action on a task, problem, or person.
- Example 1: "I have several urgent emails to deal with this morning."
- Example 2: "Our customer service team is trained to deal with client complaints effectively."
How can I use 'look into'?
Meaning: To investigate or research a problem or situation.
- Example 1: "We've received some negative feedback. I'll ask the project manager to look into it."
- Example 2: "Thank you for reporting the bug. Our developers will look into the cause immediately."
When should I use 'bring up'?
Meaning: To introduce a topic for discussion.
- Example 1: "I'd like to bring up the Q4 budget at our next team meeting."
- Example 2: "He brought up some excellent points about our marketing strategy."
What is the meaning of 'put off'?
Meaning: To postpone or delay an event or task to a later time.
- Example 1: "We have to put off the client meeting until next Friday due to a scheduling conflict."
- Example 2: "Don't put off creating the report; the deadline is approaching fast."
How is 'carry out' used?
Meaning: To perform or complete a task, instruction, or plan.
- Example 1: "The team was asked to carry out a detailed market analysis."
- Example 2: "We need to carry out the new safety procedures starting Monday."
What does 'set up' mean in business?
Meaning: To arrange, organize, or establish something.
- Example 1: "Can you set up a conference call for 3 PM with the stakeholders?"
- Example 2: "We are setting up a new system for tracking expenses."
How do you use 'draw up'?
Meaning: To prepare a formal written document, such as a contract, plan, or proposal.
- Example 1: "Our legal team will draw up the contract for the new partnership."
- Example 2: "I need to draw up a proposal for the new project by the end of the week."
What does 'run by' mean?
Meaning: To show an idea or proposal to someone to get their opinion or approval.
- Example 1: "This is a great idea. Let's run it by the manager before we proceed."
- Example 2: "Could I run a few suggestions by you?"
How do I use 'go over'?
Meaning: To review, check, or examine something carefully.
- Example 1: "Let's go over the presentation slides one more time before the meeting."
- Example 2: "I always go over my emails to check for typos before sending them."
Why mastering these common business phrasal verbs is so important
Learning how to use this list of the 10 most common phrasal verbs for everyday business conversations is more than just expanding your vocabulary. It's about integrating into the professional culture. Using these phrases correctly helps you sound more natural and confident, improving your business communication skills and making interactions with colleagues and clients smoother. It shows you have a deeper understanding of English as it's truly spoken in the workplace.
By incorporating these verbs into your daily professional life, you'll be able to express yourself with more precision and nuance. Start by listening for them in meetings and then try using one or two in your next email or conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Business Phrasal Verbs
Q1: What is a phrasal verb, exactly?
A phrasal verb is a combination of a standard verb (like 'look' or 'put') and a particle (a preposition or adverb, like 'into' or 'off'). This combination creates a new, often idiomatic, meaning that can't be understood from the individual words alone.
Q2: Are phrasal verbs too informal for business writing?
Not at all. While some phrasal verbs are informal, the ones listed above (like 'follow up,' 'carry out,' and 'draw up') are standard and completely appropriate for all forms of business communication, including formal reports and emails.
Q3: What's the difference between 'put off' and 'cancel'?
'Put off' means to postpone or reschedule something for a later time or date. The event will still happen. 'Cancel' means the event will not happen at all. For example, you 'put off' a meeting until next week, but you 'cancel' a meeting because it's no longer needed.
Q4: How can I remember and practice these phrasal verbs?
The best way is through active use. Create flashcards with the phrasal verb on one side and its meaning and an example sentence on the other. Try to write your own business-related sentences for each verb and use them in your next professional email or conversation.