The 10 most common English phrasal verbs for business communication include essentials like 'follow up,' 'draw up,' and 'look into.' Mastering these multi-word verbs is crucial for sounding fluent and professional in emails, meetings, and presentations. They are the building blocks of natural, effective workplace communication.
Phrasal verbs—combinations of a verb with a preposition or adverb—can be tricky for English learners. However, avoiding them can make your speech sound unnatural or overly formal. To help you integrate them into your professional vocabulary, we've compiled a guide to the 10 most common English phrasal verbs for business communication, complete with clear definitions and practical examples.
Why Are Phrasal Verbs Important in Business English?
In a professional setting, clarity and efficiency are key. Phrasal verbs often provide a more concise or natural-sounding way to express an action compared to their single-word, Latin-based synonyms (for example, 'look into' is more common in speech than 'investigate'). Using them correctly shows a high level of fluency and helps you build better rapport with native-speaking colleagues. They are an essential part of business English for meetings, negotiations, and daily office interactions.
What are the 10 Most Common English Phrasal Verbs for Business Communication?
Here is a detailed list of essential phrasal verbs you will hear and use constantly in the workplace. Practice using them in sentences to build your confidence.
Follow up (on something)
- Meaning: To take further action related to something that was discussed or done previously.
- Example 1: "Thank you for the meeting. I will follow up with an email summary tomorrow."
- Example 2: "Could you please follow up on the sales lead from last week?"
Draw up (something)
- Meaning: To prepare and write a formal document like a contract, plan, or proposal.
- Example 1: "Our legal team will draw up the new employment contracts."
- Example 2: "We need to draw up a detailed project plan before we begin."
Look into (something)
- Meaning: To investigate, research, or examine a problem or situation.
- Example 1: "We've received a customer complaint, and I need you to look into it immediately."
- Example 2: "I'm not sure what the best software is, but I will look into a few options."
Carry out (something)
- Meaning: To perform, execute, or complete a task, plan, or instruction.
- Example 1: "The marketing team will carry out the new social media campaign."
- Example 2: "Please carry out these instructions carefully to ensure there are no errors."
Take on (something / someone)
- Meaning: To accept a new responsibility or task; to hire a new employee.
- Example 1: "I'm ready to take on more responsibility in my role."
- Example 2: "We plan to take on two new developers in the next quarter."
Set up (something)
- Meaning: To arrange, organize, or establish something.
- Example 1: "Could you set up a meeting with the client for next Tuesday?"
- Example 2: "We need to set up the new computer system by the end of the week."
Bring forward (something)
- Meaning: To move a planned event or meeting to an earlier date or time.
- Example 1: "The deadline has been brought forward from Friday to Wednesday."
- Example 2: "Can we bring forward our 3 PM meeting to 1 PM instead?"
Deal with (something / someone)
- Meaning: To manage, handle, or take action on a situation, problem, or person.
- Example 1: "My main role is to deal with inquiries from our international partners."
- Example 2: "Don't worry about the issue; I will deal with it."
Spell out (something)
- Meaning: To explain something in a very clear, simple, and detailed way.
- Example 1: "The contract is confusing. Could you spell out the terms and conditions for us?"
- Example 2: "To avoid misunderstanding, let me spell out exactly what is expected."
Hand over (something)
- Meaning: To give responsibility or control of something to another person.
- Example 1: "Before I go on vacation, I need to hand over my projects to my colleague."
- Example 2: "The outgoing manager will hand over her duties next week."
Conclusion: Start Using Business Phrasal Verbs Today
Integrating these phrases into your professional vocabulary will significantly boost your fluency and confidence. Start by listening for them in meetings and on calls, then try using one or two in your next email. Mastering the 10 most common English phrasal verbs for business communication is a practical and powerful step toward achieving your career goals in an English-speaking environment.
Frequently Asked Questions about Business Phrasal Verbs
What is the difference between a phrasal verb and an idiom?
A phrasal verb is a verb combined with a preposition or adverb to create a new meaning (e.g., 'look into'). An idiom is a fixed expression where the meaning isn't deducible from the individual words (e.g., 'bite the bullet'). While some phrasal verbs can be idiomatic, not all are.
Can I use the same phrasal verb in different tenses?
Yes, absolutely. Like any regular verb, you can conjugate phrasal verbs. For example: "I follow up with clients every week" (present), "I followed up yesterday" (past), and "I will be following up tomorrow" (future continuous).
Are phrasal verbs too informal for business writing?
Not at all. While some phrasal verbs are very informal, the ones listed above are standard in professional communication, including reports, presentations, and emails. They often make writing sound more modern and less robotic than their single-word Latinate equivalents.
How can I remember which preposition goes with a verb?
Memorization and practice are key. Try creating flashcards, writing your own example sentences related to your job, and actively listening for them in workplace conversations. Context is the best teacher.