The most useful phrasal verbs for everyday business English are those for managing tasks and communication, like 'follow up,' 'draw up,' 'deal with,' and 'get back to.' Focusing on these common expressions will quickly improve your fluency and confidence in professional settings.
Stepping into a business meeting or joining a project discussion can feel like learning a new language within a language. Native English speakers often use short, idiomatic phrases that aren't in textbooks, and this is especially true for phrasal verbs. Understanding and using the most useful phrasal verbs for everyday business English conversations is a game-changer. It helps you sound more natural, communicate your ideas precisely, and integrate seamlessly into any professional environment.
Why are phrasal verbs so common in the workplace?
Phrasal verbs—which combine a verb with a preposition or adverb—are a cornerstone of natural, spoken English. In a business context, they make communication more dynamic and efficient. Instead of using a longer, more formal verb like 'investigate,' a colleague might simply say they will 'look into' an issue. This fluency is key to effective professional communication. Learning them helps you move beyond basic vocabulary and understand the true rhythm of workplace English.
What are the most useful phrasal verbs for everyday business English conversations?
While there are thousands of phrasal verbs, you don't need to know them all. Focusing on a core group related to projects, meetings, and communication will have the biggest impact. Here are 10 essential phrasal verbs with clear definitions and examples.
Follow up
Meaning: To take further action on something or to check the progress of a previous action. *Example:* "Thanks for the meeting, everyone. I will follow up with an email summarising the key action points."
Look into
Meaning: To investigate or examine a problem or situation. *Example:* "Several customers have reported a bug in the app. Could you look into it and report back by Friday?"
Draw up
Meaning: To prepare and write a formal document, such as a contract, plan, or proposal. *Example:* "The legal team will draw up the new employment contracts for our review next week."
Get back to (someone)
Meaning: To contact someone later to give them information or an answer. *Example:* "I don't have the sales figures right now, but I will get back to you by the end of the day."
Bring forward
Meaning: To move a meeting or event to an earlier date or time. *Example:* "Can we bring forward the team meeting to 10 AM instead of 11 AM? I have another call."
Push back (or Put off)
Meaning: To delay or move a meeting or event to a later date or time. *Example:* "We need to push back the project deadline by two weeks to accommodate the client's new requests."
Deal with
Meaning: To manage, handle, or take action on a task, problem, or person. *Example:* "Sarah is the best person to deal with client complaints; she's very experienced."
Carry out
Meaning: To perform or complete a task, instruction, or plan. *Example:* "The marketing team will carry out a survey to gather customer feedback on the new design."
Run something by (someone)
Meaning: To tell someone about an idea or plan to get their opinion or approval. *Example:* "This is just a draft, but I wanted to run it by you before I send it to the whole team."
Fill (someone) in
Meaning: To give someone missing information or update them on the latest details. *Example:* "I missed the morning briefing. Could you fill me in on what was decided?"
How can I effectively learn these business phrasal verbs?
Memorising lists is rarely effective. To truly master these expressions, you need to use them actively. Here are a few proven strategies:
- Focus on Context: Pay attention to how colleagues use these phrases in emails and meetings. Context is the best teacher.
- Create Your Own Sentences: Write your own business-related sentences for each phrasal verb. For example, “I need to deal with my inbox before lunch.”
- Group by Topic: Organise phrasal verbs by business function, such as 'phrasal verbs for meetings' (bring forward, push back) or 'phrasal verbs for projects' (carry out, follow up).
- Practice Speaking: Use them in low-pressure situations, perhaps with a language partner or a trusted colleague. The more you say them, the more natural they will feel.
Mastering the most useful phrasal verbs for everyday business English conversations won’t happen overnight, but consistent practice with this core set will dramatically improve your workplace communication. By integrating these phrases into your vocabulary, you'll not only understand more but also express your own ideas with greater confidence and clarity.
Frequently Asked Questions about Business Phrasal Verbs
Q1: Are phrasal verbs considered formal or informal in business? Most business phrasal verbs, like the ones listed above, are considered neutral and are perfectly acceptable in both spoken and written professional communication, including emails and presentations. However, some phrasal verbs can be very informal, so it's best to learn them in context.
Q2: How many business phrasal verbs do I need to learn? There's no magic number. Start by mastering the 10-15 most common ones related to your specific job function. Quality over quantity is key. Once you are comfortable with the basics, you can expand your vocabulary gradually.
Q3: Can a single phrasal verb have multiple meanings? Yes, absolutely. For example, 'take off' can mean an airplane departing, a product becoming successful, or removing clothing. This is why learning phrasal verbs in context is so important for understanding the correct meaning.
Q4: What's the best way to remember phrasal verbs with their prepositions? Treat the verb and its particle (the preposition or adverb) as a single chunk of vocabulary. Instead of learning 'follow' and 'up' separately, learn the complete unit: 'follow up'. Creating flashcards with the full phrase and an example sentence can be very effective.