The 10 most essential phrasal verbs for a professional business meeting include expressions like bring up, go over, and wrap up. Mastering these key phrases is crucial for communicating your ideas clearly, understanding colleagues, and sounding fluent and confident in any corporate setting.
Navigating a corporate environment in English can be challenging, especially when native speakers use expressions that aren't in your textbook. Phrasal verbs—verbs combined with a preposition or adverb—are a huge part of everyday business communication. Learning the right ones will unlock a new level of professional fluency. This guide will walk you through the 10 most essential phrasal verbs for a professional business meeting that you absolutely need to know.
Why Are Phrasal Verbs So Important in Business English?
Phrasal verbs make your speech sound more natural and less robotic. While you can often use a more formal single-word verb (e.g., *postpone* instead of *put off*), your colleagues will almost certainly use the phrasal verb version. Understanding them is not just about speaking—it's about listening and comprehension. They are fundamental to workplace English, appearing in emails, presentations, and especially in meetings and conference calls.
The 10 Essential Phrasal Verbs for a Professional Business Meeting
Here is our curated list of the most common and useful phrasal verbs you'll hear and use in a business context. We've included clear definitions and practical examples for each.
What does 'Bring Up' mean?
- Meaning: To introduce a topic for discussion.
- How to use it: This is perfect for when you want to add something new to the agenda or conversation.
- Example: "Before we move on, I'd like to bring up the Q3 budget. We need to finalize the figures this week."
What does 'Go Over' mean?
- Meaning: To review or examine something carefully.
- How to use it: Use this when you are discussing a document, report, or a set of key points.
- Example: "Let's quickly go over the action items from our last meeting to check our progress."
What does 'Follow Up' mean?
- Meaning: To take further action or contact someone later about a previous discussion.
- How to use it: This is a crucial phrase for ensuring tasks are completed after a meeting ends.
- Example: "I will follow up with the marketing team to get the data you requested."
What does 'Set Up' mean?
- Meaning: To arrange or schedule an event, like a meeting or a call.
- How to use it: A fundamental verb for organizing teamwork and communication.
- Example: "Can you please set up a conference call for Thursday at 10 AM with the client?"
What does 'Put Forward' mean?
- Meaning: To propose or suggest an idea, plan, or proposal for consideration.
- How to use it: Use this to formally offer your ideas to the group.
- Example: "During the brainstorming session, Sarah put forward an excellent idea for the new campaign."
What does 'Look Into' mean?
- Meaning: To investigate or research a problem or situation.
- How to use it: This shows you are taking a problem seriously and will find more information.
- Example: "We've received some client complaints about the software bug. I'll ask the tech team to look into it immediately."
What does 'Take On' mean?
- Meaning: To accept a new responsibility, task, or project.
- How to use it: This is a confident way to volunteer or agree to do a piece of work.
- Example: "Our department is prepared to take on the responsibility for organizing the annual conference."
What does 'Carry On' mean?
- Meaning: To continue with an activity or discussion.
- How to use it: Often used by a meeting facilitator to get back on topic after an interruption.
- Example: "That's an interesting point, but let's carry on with the main agenda for now. We can discuss that later."
What does 'Call Off' mean?
- Meaning: To cancel a planned event.
- How to use it: While 'cancel' is also correct, 'call off' is extremely common in spoken English.
- Example: "Due to a scheduling conflict with our CEO, we have to call off the meeting for this afternoon."
What does 'Wrap Up' mean?
- Meaning: To finish or conclude something.
- How to use it: The perfect phrase for signalling that a meeting is coming to an end.
- Example: "It's almost noon, so let's wrap up in the next five minutes. Can someone summarize the main decisions?"
Mastering These Phrasal Verbs for Your Next Business Meeting
Integrating these expressions into your vocabulary will make a significant difference in your professional life. Start by listening for them in meetings and then try using one or two in your next conversation. By mastering these 10 essential phrasal verbs for a professional business meeting, you'll not only improve your fluency but also enhance your ability to participate effectively in corporate discussions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Business Phrasal Verbs
How can I practice using phrasal verbs for work?
Start by actively listening for them during conference calls and in emails. Then, try to create your own example sentences relevant to your job. Practice saying them out loud or using them in a low-stakes conversation with a colleague you trust.
Are phrasal verbs formal or informal?
The formality of a phrasal verb depends on the specific verb and its context. All the verbs on this list, like 'go over,' 'follow up,' and 'put forward,' are completely appropriate and standard in a formal business meeting. Some phrasal verbs are very informal, but these 10 are safe for professional use.
Why do native speakers use so many phrasal verbs in meetings?
Native speakers use phrasal verbs because they are an efficient and natural part of the English language. They often convey a specific nuance that a single-word verb might not. Using them is a habit that makes language flow more smoothly in conversation.
What's 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 phrase where the meaning cannot be guessed from the individual words (e.g., 'bite the bullet'). While some phrasal verbs can be idiomatic, not all are.
Can I just use 'cancel' instead of 'call off' in a meeting?
Yes, you absolutely can. 'Cancel' is a perfectly correct and professional word. However, knowing 'call off' is important because you will frequently hear other native speakers use it, and understanding it is key to good communication.