To correctly use common business phrasal verbs in an email, focus on their specific meaning in a professional context and choose verbs that match the level of formality. For example, use 'take on' when accepting a new responsibility and 'follow up' to continue a previous conversation, always ensuring your phrasing is clear and unambiguous to your recipient.
Phrasal verbs—those tricky combinations of a verb and a preposition or adverb—can be one of the biggest challenges for English learners. They are everywhere in native speech, but using them incorrectly in a professional setting can lead to confusion. This guide will show you how to confidently use common business phrasal verbs like 'take on' and 'follow up' to make your business emails sound more natural and professional.
Why is it important to use common business phrasal verbs correctly?
Using phrasal verbs effectively in your business communication does more than just show off your vocabulary. It signals a deeper level of fluency and an understanding of workplace culture. When you use terms like 'draw up a contract' or 'deal with an issue', you sound more like a confident member of the team and less like you're translating from a textbook. It helps build rapport with colleagues and ensures your message is understood exactly as you intended.
How can I use common business phrasal verbs for tasks and responsibilities?
Managing projects and responsibilities is a core part of any job. Using the right phrasal verbs can make your communication about these tasks clear and efficient. These verbs often appear when discussing project management, delegation, and personal workload.
Here are some of the most essential phrasal verbs for talking about work, along with examples of how to use them in an email:
- Take on: To accept a new task or responsibility.
- Email Example: "Thank you for the opportunity. I am happy to take on the responsibility of managing the new client account."
- Carry out: To perform or complete a task.
- Email Example: "I will carry out the user testing as we discussed and will have the results by Friday."
- Deal with: To handle or manage a situation, problem, or person.
- Email Example: "There is an issue with the latest invoice. Could you please deal with it?"
- Hand over: To transfer responsibility to someone else.
- Email Example: "Before I go on vacation, I will hand over my active projects to Sarah."
- Draw up: To prepare a written document, like a contract or plan.
- Email Example: "Our legal team will draw up the new employment contract and send it over tomorrow."
What are some phrasal verbs for communication and meetings?
Clear communication is key to a successful workplace. Phrasal verbs are extremely common when arranging meetings, presenting ideas, and continuing conversations. Learning to use common business phrasal verbs in this context will significantly improve your professional interactions.
How should I use 'follow up' correctly?
'Follow up' is one of the most frequently used phrasal verbs in business English. It means to take further action or continue communication about something that was discussed earlier. The key is knowing whether to use 'with' or 'on'.
- Follow up with (a person): You continue a conversation with a specific person.
- Email Example: "It was great meeting you today. I will follow up with you next week to discuss the next steps."
- Follow up on (a topic/task): You check the progress or get more information about a subject.
- Email Example: "Could you please follow up on the sales figures we discussed in the meeting?"
Other useful phrasal verbs for communication include:
- Bring up: To introduce a topic for discussion.
- Email Example: "In tomorrow's meeting, I'd like to bring up the marketing budget for the next quarter."
- Put forward: To propose an idea or suggestion for consideration.
- Email Example: "I'd like to put forward a new strategy for our social media engagement."
- Call off: To cancel a planned event.
- Email Example: "Due to a scheduling conflict, we need to call off the meeting scheduled for 3 PM today."
Conclusion: Writing with Confidence
Mastering business phrasal verbs takes practice, but it's a worthwhile effort. Start by incorporating one or two of the verbs from this guide into your daily emails. By paying attention to context and focusing on clarity, you will soon be able to use common business phrasal verbs with confidence, making your professional writing more effective and natural.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I use phrasal verbs in very formal emails?
Yes, but choose them carefully. Verbs like 'follow up', 'carry out', and 'deal with' are standard in formal business communication. However, more informal phrasal verbs (e.g., 'mess up', 'chill out') should be avoided. When in doubt, a single-word verb like 'cancel' instead of 'call off' can sometimes feel more formal.
Q2: What's the difference between 'put off' and 'call off'?
'Call off' means to cancel something completely; it will not happen. 'Put off' means to postpone or delay something to a later time or date. For example, "We had to call off the picnic due to the storm," versus "Let's put off the decision until we have more data."
Q3: How can I learn more business phrasal verbs?
The best way is through exposure and practice. Read business articles, listen to podcasts about your industry, and pay attention to how native speakers communicate in meetings. When you encounter a new phrasal verb, write it down with its meaning and an example sentence relevant to your job.
Q4: Are business phrasal verbs the same in American and British English?
Many are the same, but there are some differences. For example, in British English, you might 'chase up' a client, while in American English, you would 'follow up with' them. It's helpful to be aware of the primary English dialect used in your workplace.