The most essential phrasal verbs for professional business emails include 'follow up', 'look into', 'get back to', 'set up', and 'go over'. These multi-word verbs allow you to communicate common business actions clearly and sound more natural to native speakers. Mastering them is a key step in elevating your business English and writing with confidence.
In the world of business correspondence, clarity is king. You want your message to be understood quickly and professionally. While single-word verbs like "investigate" or "organize" are excellent, phrasal verbs often make your writing more fluent and relatable. This guide will walk you through the essential phrasal verbs for professional business emails that will help you communicate effectively in any workplace setting.
Why are Phrasal Verbs Important in Business Communication?
Phrasal verbs combine a main verb with a particle (a preposition or adverb) to create a new meaning. For example, 'look' is a simple action, but 'look into' means to investigate. Using them correctly shows a strong command of English and helps you sound less like a textbook and more like a fluent colleague.
The key is choosing the *right* phrasal verbs. While you would avoid very informal ones (like 'hang out'), many are perfectly suited for the office and are used daily in emails, reports, and meetings. They are a vital part of modern business English.
What are the Most Essential Phrasal Verbs for Professional Business Emails?
To improve your email writing, focus on learning verb phrases that relate to common work tasks like planning, investigating, and communicating. Here is a list of 12 indispensable phrasal verbs, complete with definitions and examples you can start using today.
- Follow up (on/with)
- Meaning: To take further action on something or to contact someone again to get more information.
- Example: "Hi team, I just wanted to follow up on the action items from yesterday's meeting."
- Look into
- Meaning: To investigate or examine a problem or situation.
- Example: "Thanks for flagging this issue. I will look into it immediately and find a solution."
- Get back to (someone)
- Meaning: To respond or reply to someone at a later time.
- Example: "I don't have that data right now, but I will get back to you by the end of the day."
- Set up
- Meaning: To arrange or organize something, like a meeting or a call.
- Example: "Could you please set up a call for next Tuesday to discuss the project proposal?"
- Go over
- Meaning: To review or check something carefully.
- Example: "Before we submit the report, let's go over the final numbers one more time."
- Draw up
- Meaning: To prepare a formal, written document like a contract or plan.
- Example: "Our legal team will draw up the contract and send it over for your review."
- Bring forward
- Meaning: To move a meeting or event to an earlier date or time.
- Example: "Due to the client's new schedule, we need to bring forward the presentation to Monday."
- Push back / Put off
- Meaning: To postpone or move a meeting or event to a later date or time. ('Push back' is very common in office slang).
- Example: "Can we push back our one-on-one meeting to Friday afternoon?"
- Fill (someone) in
- Meaning: To give someone the latest information or details about a situation.
- Example: "Welcome back from your vacation! Let me fill you in on what you missed."
- Deal with
- Meaning: To manage or handle a task, problem, or person.
- Example: "Sarah is in charge of client relations, so she will deal with this customer query."
- Run (something) by (someone)
- Meaning: To show an idea or proposal to someone to get their opinion or approval.
- Example: "This is a great first draft, but I need to run it by my manager before we proceed."
- Take on
- Meaning: To accept a new responsibility, task, or project.
- Example: "I'm excited to take on the role of project lead for this new initiative."
How Can I Practice Using These Business Phrasal Verbs?
Knowing the list is the first step; using the verbs confidently is the goal. Here are a few tips to integrate them into your vocabulary:
- Rewrite Sentences: Find an old email you wrote and see if you can replace a formal, single-word verb with a more natural phrasal verb from this list. For example, change "I will investigate the problem" to "I will look into the problem."
- Listen and Read: Pay attention to how native speakers use these verbs in business articles, podcasts, and emails.
- Create Your Own Examples: Write a few sentences for each phrasal verb that are relevant to your specific job. This personal connection helps with memory.
By focusing on this core group, you'll be well-equipped to handle most situations in your business correspondence. Learning these essential phrasal verbs for professional business emails is a powerful investment in your career communication skills, making your writing clearer and more effective.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I use phrasal verbs in very formal business emails?
Yes, absolutely. The key is to choose the right ones. Verbs like 'look into', 'go over', and 'follow up' are standard in formal business English. You should, however, avoid overly casual or idiomatic phrasal verbs such as 'chill out' or 'mess up' in formal contexts.
Q2: What is the difference between 'put off' and 'push back'?
Both mean to postpone something. 'Put off' is a general term for delaying something. 'Push back' is very common corporate jargon specifically used for meetings, deadlines, and project timelines. You can use them interchangeably in most business contexts, but 'push back' sounds slightly more modern and specific to the workplace.
Q3: Are there any phrasal verbs I should avoid in business writing?
Yes. Avoid phrasal verbs that are too informal, ambiguous, or slang-based. Examples include 'hang out' (use 'meet'), 'figure out' (use 'determine' or 'understand' in very formal writing, though it's common in internal emails), and 'give up' (use 'abandon' or 'discontinue'). Always consider your audience and the context.
Q4: How can I remember new phrasal verbs for work?
A great method is to create a personal glossary or flashcard set. For each verb, write the definition, a sample sentence related to your job, and its non-phrasal verb synonym (e.g., Look into = Investigate). Reviewing them regularly will build your confidence.
Q5: What's a good professional alternative to 'look forward to'?
'Look forward to' is a perfectly acceptable and widely used phrasal verb, even in formal emails. There is no need to avoid it. However, if you want variety, you could say "I await your reply," "I anticipate a positive outcome," or simply, "I'm excited about the opportunity to collaborate."