To use the 10 most common business English phrasal verbs correctly, you must understand their specific meanings in a professional context. Mastering verbs like 'follow up' and 'draw up' is key for clear communication in meetings and emails, helping you schedule tasks, discuss ideas, and manage projects effectively.
Phrasal verbs—those tricky combinations of a verb and a preposition or adverb—can make your professional English sound more natural and fluent. However, using them incorrectly can lead to confusion. This guide will show you exactly how to use the 10 most common business English phrasal verbs so you can communicate with confidence and precision in any workplace setting.
Why is it important to learn business English phrasal verbs?
In the world of corporate English, phrasal verbs are everywhere. Native speakers use them constantly in conversations, presentations, and written communication. Learning them helps you:
- Understand native speakers more easily: You won't get lost when a colleague asks you to "look into" a problem.
- Sound more natural and fluent: Using this vocabulary correctly shows a higher level of English proficiency.
- Communicate more efficiently: Often, a single phrasal verb can replace a longer, more complicated explanation.
How can I use the 10 most common business English phrasal verbs in practice?
Let's break down the top 10 verbs with clear examples for both meetings and emails. By studying these contexts, you can start incorporating them into your own professional communication immediately.
How do I use 'follow up'?
- Meaning: To take further action or check on something that was discussed previously.
- In a Meeting: "Thanks for the great ideas, everyone. Sarah, can you please follow up with the sales team to get their initial feedback?"
- In an Email: "Dear Mark, Just following up on our conversation from Tuesday. Have you had a chance to review the proposal?"
What does 'bring forward' mean?
- Meaning: To move a meeting or deadline to an earlier time or date.
- In a Meeting: "It looks like we have all the data we need. Can we bring forward the project deadline to this Friday?"
- In an Email: "Hi team, Due to a scheduling conflict, we need to bring forward the weekly sync from 3 PM to 1 PM. Please update your calendars."
How are 'put off' and 'push back' used?
- Meaning: To postpone a meeting or deadline to a later time or date. They are synonyms.
- In a Meeting: "We're still waiting for the client's approval. We'll have to put off the launch until next week."
- In an Email: "Hi Alex, I need to push back our one-on-one meeting to Thursday afternoon. Would 4 PM work for you?"
When should I use 'look into'?
- Meaning: To investigate or examine a problem or situation.
- In a Meeting: "Several customers have reported a bug in the new software. Our tech team is going to look into it immediately."
- In an Email: "Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I will look into the invoice discrepancy and get back to you by the end of the day."
What is the meaning of 'deal with'?
- Meaning: To handle, manage, or take action on a situation or task.
- In a Meeting: "I'm currently focused on the quarterly report, so could someone else deal with the new client requests?"
- In an Email: "Rest assured, our customer service manager will deal with your complaint personally."
How do I use 'take on'?
- Meaning: To accept a new role, task, or responsibility.
- In a Meeting: "Our team is at full capacity right now, so we can't take on any new projects."
- In an Email: "I'm excited to take on the challenge of leading the new marketing campaign."
What does 'draw up' mean?
- Meaning: To prepare a formal, written document like a contract, proposal, or plan.
- In a Meeting: "Now that we've agreed on the terms, our legal department will draw up the contract."
- In an Email: "Following our discussion, I have drawn up a draft of the project plan for your review."
How can I use 'get back to someone'?
- Meaning: To contact or respond to someone at a later time.
- In a Meeting: "That's a good question. I don't have the answer right now, but I will find out and get back to you tomorrow."
- In an Email: "Thanks for your message. I am out of the office today but will get back to you as soon as I return."
What does 'break down' mean in business?
- Meaning: To divide something (like a project, task, or data) into smaller, more manageable parts.
- In a Meeting: "This is a huge project. Let's break it down into smaller, achievable tasks for the team."
- In an Email: "In the attached document, I break down the sales figures by region so we can analyze them more easily."
When do I use 'call off'?
- Meaning: To cancel a planned event, like a meeting or a launch.
- In a Meeting: "Due to the technical issues, we have to call off the product demonstration for today."
- In an Email: "Please be advised that the company picnic has been called off due to the weather forecast."
Conclusion
Mastering professional vocabulary is a journey, but it's one of the most effective ways to advance your career. By learning how to use the 10 most common business English phrasal verbs in their correct context, you will not only improve your fluency but also enhance your credibility and effectiveness in the workplace. Start by practicing one or two at a time in your emails and meetings, and soon they will become a natural part of your business vocabulary.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between 'put off' and 'call off'? 'Put off' means to postpone or delay something to a later date. The event will still happen, just not at the originally scheduled time. 'Call off' means to cancel something completely; it will not happen at all.
Are business phrasal verbs too informal for reports or formal writing? It depends on the verb and the context. While some phrasal verbs are informal, many of the ones listed above (like 'look into,' 'draw up,' and 'follow up') are perfectly acceptable and standard in formal business reports, presentations, and emails.
How can I remember these business phrasal verbs? Try creating your own example sentences related to your specific job. You can also use flashcards or create a list that you keep on your desk. The key is active use: challenge yourself to use one new phrasal verb in an email each day.
Is it okay to use 'get back to you' with a senior manager? Yes, 'get back to you' is a standard and respectful professional phrase. It is appropriate to use with colleagues at all levels, including senior managers. It clearly communicates that you have heard their request and will respond once you have the information.