The most common English phrasal verbs for a business meeting include 'to follow up,' 'to bring up,' 'to look into,' and 'to take on.' Mastering these phrases is crucial for clear, professional communication and understanding action items in a corporate setting. They allow you to sound more natural and fluent when discussing projects, delegating tasks, and contributing to conversations.
Navigating the world of business English can be challenging, but one of the fastest ways to improve your professional communication is by mastering phrasal verbs. These two- or three-word verbs are everywhere in the workplace, from casual chats to formal presentations. Understanding the most common English phrasal verbs for a business meeting will not only boost your confidence but also help you understand native speakers more easily and participate effectively in discussions.
Why are phrasal verbs so important in business English?
In a professional setting, communication needs to be both precise and natural. While you can often use a more formal, single-word verb (like 'postpone' instead of 'put off'), phrasal verbs are an integral part of everyday workplace English. Using them correctly shows a high level of fluency and helps you build a better rapport with colleagues and clients. They are the key to unlocking a more nuanced and authentic way of speaking, allowing you to grasp the subtle meanings behind action items and strategic decisions made during meetings.
What are the most common English phrasal verbs for a business meeting?
To get started, focus on the verbs that appear most frequently in discussions about projects, deadlines, and responsibilities. Here is a list of essential phrasal verbs, complete with definitions and examples you can start using in your very next meeting.
12 Essential Phrasal Verbs for Your Next Meeting
- Bring up
- Meaning: To introduce a topic for discussion.
- Example: "During the marketing update, I'd like to bring up the results from our latest social media campaign."
- Follow up
- Meaning: To take further action or contact someone later about a previous discussion.
- Example: "I will follow up with the sales team to get you the final numbers by tomorrow."
- Look into
- Meaning: To investigate or research something.
- Example: "There's a discrepancy in the budget report. Could you look into it for us?"
- Take on
- Meaning: To accept a new task or responsibility.
- Example: "Sarah has agreed to take on the role of project manager for the new initiative."
- Go over
- Meaning: To review or examine something carefully.
- Example: "Before we submit the proposal, let's go over the details one more time."
- Put off / Push back
- Meaning: To postpone or delay something to a later time or date.
- Example: "We have to put off the client meeting until next week. Let's push it back to Thursday."
- Call off
- Meaning: To cancel an event or meeting.
- Example: "Due to the technical issues with the server, we need to call off this afternoon's training session."
- Wrap up
- Meaning: To finish or conclude something.
- Example: "We have about ten minutes left, so let's try to wrap up the discussion."
- Draw up
- Meaning: To prepare a written document, such as a contract or plan.
- Example: "The legal team will draw up a new contract based on the terms we agreed upon."
- Weigh in
- Meaning: To give an opinion or join a discussion.
- Example: "I'd like our design lead to weigh in on the new branding mockups."
- Run by / Run through
- Meaning: To explain or review something with someone.
- Example: "Could you run those figures by me one more time? Let's run through the presentation slides before the meeting."
- Carry out
- Meaning: To perform or complete a task.
- Example: "The research department will carry out a survey to gather customer feedback."
How can I practice using these phrasal verbs?
Learning these verbs is the first step; using them confidently is the next. Start small. Try to use one or two new phrasal verbs in your next meeting. Listen for them in conversations with native speakers and on business-related podcasts or TV shows. When you hear one, write it down with its context. The more you expose yourself to them and practice using them, the more natural they will become.
By integrating these common English phrasal verbs for a business meeting into your vocabulary, you will significantly enhance your professional communication skills. It's a simple change that makes a big impact on your fluency and confidence in the workplace.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Are phrasal verbs considered formal enough for a business meeting?
Yes, absolutely. While some phrasal verbs are informal, the ones listed above (like 'follow up,' 'look into,' and 'draw up') are standard in professional and corporate environments. They are a normal and expected part of business English.
Q2: What is the best way to remember business phrasal verbs?
The best way is to learn them in context. Instead of memorizing a long list, focus on 5-10 at a time. Write your own example sentences related to your job, and try to use them in emails or conversations. Associating them with real-world tasks makes them much easier to remember.
Q3: What's the difference between 'put off' and 'call off'?
'Put off' means to postpone or reschedule something for a later time. The event will still happen, just not when originally planned. 'Call off' means to cancel something entirely. It will not happen at all.
Q4: Can I just use a single-word verb instead of a phrasal verb?
Often, yes. For example, you can say 'postpone' instead of 'put off' or 'investigate' instead of 'look into.' However, native speakers frequently use phrasal verbs, so understanding them is essential. Using them yourself will also make your English sound more fluent and natural.