The 10 most essential English phrasal verbs for business meetings include 'bring up,' 'call off,' and 'follow up.' Mastering these common verb phrases will help you communicate clearly, understand native speakers, and participate confidently in any professional discussion.
Navigating the world of business English can be challenging, but one of the fastest ways to sound more natural and fluent is by mastering phrasal verbs. While they might seem tricky at first, understanding and using the most essential English phrasal verbs for business meetings will transform your ability to communicate effectively. This guide will break down the top 10 verbs you need to know and show you exactly how to use them.
Why are phrasal verbs so important in a business context?
Phrasal verbs—which combine a verb with a particle (an adverb or preposition)—are extremely common in everyday spoken English, and the workplace is no exception. Using them correctly helps you:
- Sound more natural: Native speakers use phrasal verbs constantly. Integrating them into your vocabulary makes your speech sound less like a textbook and more authentic.
- Understand colleagues better: If you don't know these phrases, you might miss key nuances or misunderstand the direction of a conversation.
- Communicate with precision: Often, a phrasal verb is the most concise and accurate way to express an idea. For example, saying "let's wrap up" is more common and efficient than saying "let's bring this meeting to a conclusion."
A list of the 10 essential English phrasal verbs for business meetings
Here are the top 10 phrasal verbs that you will hear and use constantly in a professional setting. Let's dive in with their meanings and practical examples.
Bring up
- Meaning: To introduce a topic for discussion.
- Example in a meeting: "During the marketing update, I'd like to bring up the results from our latest social media campaign."
- Tip: This is a separable phrasal verb. You can say "bring the results up" as well.
Call off
- Meaning: To cancel something that was planned.
- Example in a meeting: "Due to the client's scheduling conflict, we have to call off the Thursday morning meeting."
- Tip: This is also separable: "We have to call the meeting off."
Follow up
- Meaning: To take further action or continue communication about something later.
- Example in a meeting: "Thanks for the great ideas. I will follow up with an email summarising the action points by the end of the day."
- Tip: Often used with 'with' (follow up with someone) or 'on' (follow up on something).
Look into
- Meaning: To investigate, research, or examine a problem or situation.
- Example in a meeting: "The sales figures are lower than expected this quarter. We need a team to look into the reasons why."
- Tip: This verb is inseparable. You cannot say "look the reasons into."
Go over
- Meaning: To review, check, or discuss something in detail.
- Example in a meeting: "Before we start, let's quickly go over the agenda for today's meeting."
- Tip: Perfect for starting a meeting or reviewing a document together.
Carry out
- Meaning: To perform or complete a task, plan, or instruction.
- Example in a meeting: "The engineering team will carry out the final software tests next week."
- Tip: This verb is formal and very common in business communication.
Draw up
- Meaning: To prepare a formal, written document like a contract, plan, or proposal.
- Example in a meeting: "After our discussion, the legal team will draw up a new partnership agreement."
- Tip: This is almost exclusively used for official documents.
Get back to (someone)
- Meaning: To contact someone later with a response or information.
- Example in a meeting: "I don't have that data with me right now, but I will get back to you with the exact numbers this afternoon."
- Tip: A polite and professional way to say "I will tell you later."
Put forward
- Meaning: To propose or suggest an idea or plan for consideration.
- Example in a meeting: "I'd like to put forward a new strategy for increasing customer engagement."
- Tip: An excellent, professional phrase for sharing your ideas.
Wrap up
- Meaning: To finish or conclude something.
- Example in a meeting: "We have five minutes left, so let's wrap up the discussion and confirm the next steps."
- Tip: A very common and natural way to signal the end of a meeting or presentation.
How can I effectively learn these essential English phrasal verbs for business meetings?
Memorizing a list is a start, but true mastery comes from active use. Here are a few tips to help you learn these phrases effectively:
- Focus on Context: Don't just learn the definition. Pay attention to the example sentences and think about how they apply to your own job.
- Create Your Own Sentences: Write 3-5 sentences for each phrasal verb that are relevant to your work. For example, "I need to *follow up* with the IT department about my new laptop."
- Listen Actively: Pay attention during meetings, conference calls, or when watching business-related shows in English. When you hear a phrasal verb, write it down.
- Practice, Practice, Practice: Start by using one or two new verbs in a low-pressure situation, like an email to a colleague, before using them in a big meeting.
By incorporating these 10 essential English phrasal verbs for business meetings into your active vocabulary, you will not only understand more but also speak with greater confidence and authority. They are a cornerstone of fluent, professional English.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are phrasal verbs formal enough for a business meeting?
Yes, absolutely. The phrasal verbs listed above are all neutral or semi-formal and are perfectly appropriate for any business context, from team meetings to client presentations. While some phrasal verbs can be very informal (e.g., 'chill out'), the ones used in a professional environment are standard.
What is the best way to remember phrasal verbs?
Context is key. The best way to remember them is to learn them in a full sentence or situation, not just as a list of words. Creating your own examples related to your specific job and using flashcard apps with spaced repetition can significantly boost your memory.
How do I know if a phrasal verb is separable or inseparable?
Unfortunately, there are no simple rules; it often must be learned for each verb. A separable phrasal verb allows the object to come between the verb and the particle (e.g., "call the meeting off"). An inseparable one does not (e.g., you cannot say "look the problem into"). When in doubt, a good dictionary will tell you if a phrasal verb is separable.
Can I use these phrasal verbs in business emails too?
Yes! These phrasal verbs are just as common and appropriate in written business communication, such as emails, reports, and memos, as they are in spoken English. Using them in your writing will make it sound more natural and dynamic.
What's the difference between a phrasal verb and an idiom?
A phrasal verb is a specific combination of a verb + particle (adverb/preposition) that creates a new meaning. An idiom is a fixed expression where the meaning is figurative and cannot be understood from the individual words at all (e.g., 'bite the bullet'). While some phrasal verbs can be idiomatic, not all are.