To communicate effectively in a professional business meeting, you must know essential phrasal verbs like 'follow up,' 'bring up,' 'go over,' and 'wrap up.' These common phrases are key to managing discussions, presenting ideas clearly, and defining next steps, helping you sound more fluent and confident.
Mastering the essential phrasal verbs for a professional business meeting can feel like learning a secret code. Native speakers use them constantly, and understanding them is the difference between simply following a conversation and actively participating. These two- or three-word verbs combine a main verb with a preposition or adverb, creating a meaning different from the original verb. Using them correctly will elevate your business communication and help you make a stronger professional impression.
Why Are Phrasal Verbs So Important in Business English?
In any professional setting, clarity and efficiency are paramount. Phrasal verbs often provide a more concise or natural-sounding way to express an action or idea compared to their more formal, single-word equivalents. For instance, saying "Let's go over the report" is more common and conversational in a team meeting than "Let's review the report." Integrating them into your vocabulary is a crucial step towards fluency in workplace English.
Which Essential Phrasal Verbs Should I Use to Start and Manage a Meeting?
Getting a meeting started and keeping it on track requires specific language. These phrasal verbs help you set the agenda, begin the discussion, and handle any unexpected changes to the schedule. Using these essential phrasal verbs for a professional business meeting shows that you are in control and respectful of everyone's time.
Set up
Meaning: To arrange or organize something.
*Example:* "I will set up a conference call for tomorrow morning at 10 AM to discuss the quarterly results."
Kick off
Meaning: To start an event or discussion.
*Example:* "Alright everyone, let's kick off this meeting by reviewing the agenda."
Call off
Meaning: To cancel something that was planned.
*Example:* "Due to a client emergency, we have to call off the team sync this afternoon."
Put off
Meaning: To postpone or delay something to a later time or date.
*Example:* "Can we put off the decision until we have more data?"
What Are the Essential Phrasal Verbs for Discussing Topics?
Once the meeting is underway, you need language to introduce subjects, explain details, and manage problems. These verbs are the workhorses of any productive discussion, allowing you to navigate complex topics with ease.
Bring up
Meaning: To introduce a topic for discussion.
*Example:* "Before we move on, I'd like to bring up the issue of the project budget."
Go over
Meaning: To review or examine something in detail.
*Example:* "Let's go over the sales figures from the last quarter one more time."
Deal with
Meaning: To handle a problem or task.
*Example:* "We need a clear strategy to deal with the new competition in the market."
Break down
Meaning: To divide something into smaller, more manageable parts to make it easier to understand.
*Example:* "Let me break down the new marketing plan into three key phases."
How Do I Use Phrasal Verbs to Conclude a Meeting and Plan Next Steps?
Ending a meeting effectively is just as important as starting it well. You need to summarize the discussion, assign responsibilities, and outline what happens next. These phrasal verbs are perfect for bringing a meeting to a clear and productive close.
Sum up
Meaning: To give a summary of the main points of a discussion.
*Example:* "To sum up, we've agreed to increase the marketing budget and hire a new social media manager."
Wrap up
Meaning: To finish or bring something to a conclusion.
*Example:* "We have five minutes left, so let's try to wrap up the final point."
Follow up
Meaning: To take further action or communicate with someone after a previous event.
*Example:* "I will follow up with an email detailing the action items we discussed today."
Draw up
Meaning: To prepare a written document, such as a plan, contract, or proposal.
*Example:* "Could you draw up a formal proposal based on our conversation and send it to the client?"
By incorporating these 12 essential phrasal verbs for a professional business meeting into your vocabulary, you'll be better equipped to participate confidently and effectively. Practice them in low-stakes situations, and soon they will become a natural part of your business English toolkit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the difference between 'follow up' and 'catch up'?
'Follow up' is a professional term meaning to take further action related to a previous discussion or event, like sending a summary email after a meeting. 'Catch up' is more informal and means to update each other on recent news or progress, often used with colleagues you haven't spoken to in a while.
Q2: Can I use informal phrasal verbs in a business meeting?
It depends on the company culture and the formality of the meeting. While some phrasal verbs are very common in business (like 'go over'), others can be too informal ('chill out'). It's best to stick to professionally accepted phrasal verbs, like the ones listed above, especially in meetings with senior management or clients.
Q3: How can I practice using these business phrasal verbs?
Start by listening for them in conference calls, presentations, and TV shows set in a workplace. Try writing your own example sentences. You can also practice using them with a language partner or by thinking about how you would rephrase a sentence in your next meeting to include one.
Q4: Are phrasal verbs the same as idioms?
Not exactly. 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 fixed expression where the meaning is not deducible from the individual words (e.g., 'bite the bullet'). While some phrasal verbs can be idiomatic, not all are.
Q5: Which phrasal verb means to postpone a meeting?
The most common phrasal verb to say you are postponing a meeting is 'put off'. For example, "We need to put off the meeting until next Friday."