You can use the 10 most common phrasal verbs for business by integrating them into your daily professional communication, such as in emails and meetings. Mastering verbs like 'follow up,' 'bring up,' and 'look into' will make your English sound more natural and fluent in a corporate setting.
Phrasal verbs are a key part of sounding like a native English speaker, but they can be tricky for learners. They are essential for clear and efficient corporate communication. This guide will show you exactly how to use the 10 most common phrasal verbs for business to boost your confidence and improve your professional English, providing clear examples for both emails and meetings.
Why are Phrasal Verbs Important in Business Communication?
In a professional environment, clarity and efficiency are everything. Phrasal verbs are frequently used by native speakers because they are often more concise and natural-sounding than their one-word equivalents (for example, using 'call off' instead of 'cancel'). Using them correctly shows a strong command of English and helps you build better rapport with English-speaking colleagues and clients. They are a cornerstone of fluent business vocabulary.
How Do I Use the 10 Most Common Phrasal Verbs for Business in Context?
Understanding the meaning is the first step; seeing these verbs in action is the second. Below is a practical list of the 10 most common phrasal verbs for business, complete with definitions and real-world examples you can start using today in your professional life.
Follow up
- Meaning: To continue communication about a previous topic or action.
- In an Email: "Hi team, I'm writing to follow up on the action items from yesterday's meeting. Please provide your updates by EOD Friday."
- In a Meeting: "Thanks for that presentation, Sarah. I will follow up with the finance department to get the final budget numbers."
Bring up
- Meaning: To introduce a topic for discussion.
- In an Email: "During our call tomorrow, I'd like to bring up the new marketing strategy for Q4."
- In a Meeting: "Before we conclude, there's one more thing I want to bring up. What is our plan for the upcoming holiday schedule?"
Look into
- Meaning: To investigate or research something.
- In an Email: "Thank you for flagging this issue. I will look into why the client hasn't received the invoice and get back to you shortly."
- In a Meeting: "That's a valid concern about the project timeline. Let me look into it and see if we can reallocate some resources."
Set up
- Meaning: To arrange or organize something.
- In an Email: "Could you please set up a conference call with the design team for early next week?"
- In a Meeting: "We need to set up a system for tracking our progress more effectively. Any suggestions?"
Get back to
- Meaning: To respond to someone at a later time.
- In an Email: "I don't have that information right now, but I will find out and get back to you by the end of the day."
- In a Meeting: "Good question, David. I'll need to check the data. Can I get back to you on that tomorrow morning?"
Call off
- Meaning: To cancel an event.
- In an Email: "Due to a scheduling conflict, we need to call off the 3 PM meeting. I will send a new invitation soon."
- In a Meeting: "If we don't receive the materials in time, we'll have to call off the product launch."
Put off
- Meaning: To postpone or delay something.
- In an Email: "Can we put off our one-on-one until Friday? I have an urgent deadline to meet."
- In a Meeting: "Let's put off making a final decision until we have all the stakeholder feedback."
Go over
- Meaning: To review or examine something carefully.
- In an Email: "Please go over the attached project plan and let me know if you have any feedback."
- In a Meeting: "Okay everyone, let's go over the sales figures from the last quarter one more time."
Draw up
- Meaning: To prepare a written document, such as a contract, plan, or proposal.
- In an Email: "Following our conversation, I will draw up a formal proposal and send it to you for review."
- In a Meeting: "The next step is for the legal team to draw up the contract based on the terms we've agreed upon."
Carry out
- Meaning: To perform or complete a task or plan.
- In an Email: "We will carry out the user testing next week as scheduled."
- In a Meeting: "Maria will be responsible for carrying out the market research for the new campaign."
By practicing these key phrases, you'll be able to communicate more effectively and confidently. The best way to learn is by trying to incorporate one or two of these into your work this week. Soon, using the 10 most common phrasal verbs for business will become second nature.
Frequently Asked Questions about Business Phrasal Verbs
What is the difference between a verb and a phrasal verb?
A regular verb is a single word (e.g., 'cancel'), while a phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and a particle (a preposition or adverb), like 'call off'. This combination creates a new meaning that is often different from the original verb.
Can I use informal phrasal verbs at work?
It's best to be cautious. While many phrasal verbs are standard in professional English (like the ones listed above), some are very informal (e.g., 'chill out'). Stick to well-known business phrasal verbs to maintain a professional tone.
How can I remember new phrasal verbs for work?
The best way is through context. Instead of just memorizing lists, write your own example sentences related to your job. Try using a new phrasal verb in an email or mentally during a meeting to help solidify your memory.
Are phrasal verbs more common in American or British business English?
Phrasal verbs are extremely common in both American and British English, especially in spoken communication. While some specific phrasal verbs might be more common in one region, they are a universal feature of the English language in a business context.
What's an example of a separable vs. inseparable phrasal verb?
A separable phrasal verb allows you to put the object between the verb and the particle. For example, you can say "We need to draw the contract up." An inseparable phrasal verb does not allow this. For example, you must say "I will look into the problem," not "I will look the problem into."