The most essential English phrasal verbs for business include 'follow up,' 'bring up,' 'deal with,' and 'look into.' Mastering these key phrases improves your clarity and professionalism in meetings and emails, helping you communicate ideas more effectively. By integrating them into your vocabulary, you'll sound more natural and confident in any professional setting.
Phrasal verbs—combinations of a verb with a preposition or adverb—are everywhere in English, especially in the workplace. While they can be tricky, learning them is a shortcut to fluency and sounding more like a native speaker. This guide will walk you through the 10 essential English phrasal verbs you need to navigate corporate communication with ease.
What Are the 10 Most Essential English Phrasal Verbs for the Workplace?
Here are the top phrasal verbs that will frequently appear in your professional life. We've included clear definitions and practical examples for both meetings and emails.
Follow up (on/with)
Meaning: To take further action or continue communication about something.
- In a Meeting: "Thanks for the presentation, Mark. I will follow up with the sales team to get their feedback."
- In an Email: "Dear Ms. Chen, I am writing to follow up on our conversation from last Tuesday."
Bring up
Meaning: To introduce a topic for discussion.
- In a Meeting: "Before we conclude, I'd like to bring up the issue of the new office budget."
- In an Email: "During our call next week, I plan to bring up some ideas for the marketing campaign."
Deal with
Meaning: To handle or manage a situation, problem, or task.
- In a Meeting: "Sarah from Customer Support will deal with all incoming client complaints."
- In an Email: "Rest assured, we are looking into the technical glitch and will deal with it promptly."
Look into
Meaning: To investigate or research something.
- In a Meeting: "There's a discrepancy in the Q3 figures. Could you look into it for us?"
- In an Email: "Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I will look into the matter and provide an update by Friday."
Go over
Meaning: To review or examine something carefully.
- In a Meeting: "Let's go over the main points of the proposal one more time to ensure everyone agrees."
- In an Email: "Please go over the attached document before our meeting tomorrow."
Carry out
Meaning: To perform or complete a task, plan, or instruction.
- In a Meeting: "The development team will carry out the user testing next month."
- In an Email: "We need to carry out a thorough analysis of the survey results."
Set up
Meaning: To arrange or organize something.
- In a Meeting: "I will set up a meeting with the client for next week."
- In an Email: "Could you please help me set up the new project management software?"
Run by / past
Meaning: To present an idea to someone to get their opinion or approval.
- In a Meeting: "This is a great idea, but we should run it by the legal department first."
- In an Email: "I've drafted a response. Could I run it past you before I send it?"
Get back to
Meaning: To respond to someone at a later time.
- In a Meeting: "I don't have that information right now, but I will get back to you by the end of the day."
- In an Email: "Thank you for your inquiry. I am currently out of the office and will get back to you as soon as possible."
Draw up
Meaning: To prepare a formal, written document like a contract, proposal, or plan.
- In a Meeting: "Our next step is to draw up a formal agreement based on the terms we discussed."
- In an Email: "Following our call, I have started to draw up a project proposal, which I will share with you shortly."
How Can You Practice These Essential English Phrasal Verbs?
Knowing these verbs is the first step; using them correctly is the goal. To truly master these essential English phrasal verbs, you need consistent practice. Here are a few effective methods:
- Create Your Own Examples: Write sentences that are relevant to your specific job. For example, if you are an accountant, write sentences using 'go over' in the context of financial reports.
- Listen Actively: Pay close attention during meetings, calls, and presentations. When you hear a phrasal verb, note it down and observe how it was used.
- Start Small: Try to use one new phrasal verb in an email each day. This small habit builds confidence over time.
- Use Flashcards: Write the phrasal verb on one side of a card and its meaning and an example sentence on the other. Quiz yourself regularly.
By integrating these phrases into your daily professional communication, you will improve your fluency and ability to express complex ideas concisely. Mastering these 10 essential English phrasal verbs is a significant step toward achieving your professional language goals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Business Phrasal Verbs
Q1: Why are phrasal verbs so common in business English?
Phrasal verbs are common because they are an efficient and often more conversational way to express an action. They are a core part of natural, fluent English, making communication in the workplace quicker and more dynamic.
Q2: Are phrasal verbs formal or informal?
It depends on the verb. Some are very informal, but all the phrasal verbs on this list are standard and perfectly acceptable in formal business contexts, including reports, presentations, and professional emails.
Q3: What's the difference between 'put off' and 'call off'?
Both relate to scheduling, but 'put off' means to postpone or delay something to a later time (e.g., "We had to put off the meeting until next week"). 'Call off' means to cancel something completely (e.g., "They called off the project due to budget cuts").
Q4: Can I use a single-word verb instead of a phrasal verb?
Often, yes. For instance, you can use 'investigate' instead of 'look into' or 'postpone' instead of 'put off'. However, phrasal verbs are often more common in spoken English and can make you sound more natural and less robotic.
Q5: How can I learn more professional phrasal verbs?
Beyond this list, you can learn more by reading business articles from sources like The Wall Street Journal or the Financial Times, listening to business podcasts, and watching professional presentations. Always pay attention to context to understand the exact meaning.