The most essential phrasal verbs for sounding professional include 'follow up,' 'draw up,' 'look into,' and 'deal with.' Mastering these common verb combinations will significantly improve your clarity and confidence in business emails and meetings, helping you communicate more like a native speaker.
Have you ever felt that your business English sounds a little too much like a textbook? Using phrasal verbs is one of the fastest ways to make your communication sound more natural and fluent. While they can seem tricky, learning a core set of essential phrasal verbs is a game-changer for any professional. This guide will walk you through the key phrases you need to master for emails, meetings, and everyday office conversations.
Why are phrasal verbs so important in business?
Phrasal verbs (a verb + a preposition or adverb) are extremely common in everyday spoken and written English, and the workplace is no exception. Using them correctly shows a high level of English proficiency and helps you build better rapport with colleagues and clients. By integrating them into your vocabulary, you move beyond basic communication and demonstrate a deeper understanding of the language. They allow you to be more precise and concise, which is crucial in professional communication.
10 Essential Phrasal Verbs for Professional Communication
Here is a breakdown of the top phrasal verbs you'll encounter and should use in a business context. Each includes a definition and a practical example you can adapt for your own emails and meetings.
Follow up (on/with)
Meaning: To take further action on something or to contact someone again to get more information. Example: "Hi John, I'm just following up on my email from last week. Have you had a chance to review the proposal?"
Get back to
Meaning: To respond to someone at a later time. Example: "Thanks for your question. I don't have the data with me right now, but I will get back to you by the end of the day."
Look into
Meaning: To investigate or research something. Example: "We've noticed a drop in website traffic. I've asked the marketing team to look into it immediately."
Draw up
Meaning: To prepare a formal document, like a contract or plan. Example: "Our legal department will draw up the new employment contracts for our review next week."
Bring forward
Meaning: To move an event or meeting to an earlier date or time. Example: "Could we bring forward our 3 p.m. meeting to 1 p.m.? Something has come up later this afternoon."
Put off / Push back
Meaning: The opposite of 'bring forward'; to postpone an event to a later date or time. Example: "Due to a conflict, we need to put off the project deadline until Friday."
Deal with
Meaning: To handle or manage a situation, task, or person. Example: "Sarah has the most experience with this client, so I'll ask her to deal with their complaint."
Carry out
Meaning: To perform or complete a task or plan. Example: "The team is ready to carry out the new social media strategy starting next month."
Run by / through
Meaning: To explain or review something with someone. Example: "Your presentation slides look great. Can you run them by me one more time before the meeting?"
Sort out
Meaning: To organize or resolve a problem. Example: "We need to sort out the catering for the conference before we send the invitations."
How to Practice These Essential Phrasal Verbs
Knowing the verbs is the first step; using them confidently is the next. Here are a few tips to help you master these phrases:
- Active Listening: Pay close attention to how native-speaking colleagues use phrasal verbs in meetings and emails.
- Create Your Own Examples: Write sentences that are relevant to your specific job. This makes the vocabulary more memorable.
- Start Small: Try to use one or two new phrasal verbs in your internal emails this week. As you get more comfortable, you can expand your usage.
Mastering these essential phrasal verbs is a powerful and achievable goal that will elevate your business English. Consistent practice will help you integrate them into your vocabulary naturally, making you a more effective and confident communicator in any professional setting.
Frequently Asked Questions about Business Phrasal Verbs
What is the difference between a phrasal verb and a regular verb? A regular verb is a single word (e.g., 'investigate'), while a phrasal verb is a combination of a verb and a particle (a preposition or adverb), like 'look into.' The combination creates a new meaning that is often different from the original verb's meaning.
Are phrasal verbs too informal for business writing? Not at all! While some phrasal verbs are very informal, the ones listed above (like 'follow up,' 'draw up,' 'carry out') are standard in professional communication. The key is to learn which ones are appropriate for the workplace.
How can I remember so many business phrasal verbs? Don't try to learn 50 at once. Focus on learning 5-10 at a time. Group them by topic (e.g., phrasal verbs for meetings) or create flashcards with a definition and an example sentence that relates to your job.
Is it okay to use a phrasal verb at the end of a sentence in an email? Yes, it's grammatically correct and very common. For example, it is perfectly professional to write, "This is a situation we need to deal with." or "Let me know which report you'd like me to follow up on."
Which phrasal verbs should I avoid in formal business communication? Some phrasal verbs are very casual and should be avoided in formal contexts. Examples include 'chill out' (relax), 'mess up' (make a mistake), or 'hang out' (spend time socially). Stick to established business vocabulary.