Want to improve your English for professional reasons? You\u2019re in the right place. When working in English, it\u2019s common to use a lot of specific business-related vocabulary and expressions. This includes phrasal verbs too! <\/p>\n
If you don\u2019t know already, phrasal verbs are a combination of a verb + adverb \/ preposition. And for some, they can be difficult to learn and remember.<\/p>\n
To help you get started, we\u2019ve put together a list of 12 of the most useful business phrasal verbs in English. We\u2019ve also included an explanation and example for each!<\/p>\n
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Before we look at some examples of business phrasal verbs, it\u2019s important to know one small thing. Phrasal verbs can be transitive or intransitive.<\/p>\n
<\/span>\n<\/ul><\/div> *Be aware that transitive verbs can be separable or inseparable. That means that sometimes you can put the object in the middle of the phrasal verb, and other times you can\u2019t. Intransitive verbs, on the other hand, cannot be separated.<\/em><\/p>\n Now you know the difference, let\u2019s look at those business phrasal verbs we were talking about:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n When you would like to move a meeting or event to an earlier date or time, then we say that you can \u2018bring it forward\u2019. [Transitive]\n Example<\/strong>: The client has asked to bring<\/strong> the meeting forward<\/strong> from Friday to Thursday<\/em>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you need to cancel an event or a meeting, you can use the phrasal verb \u2018call off\u2019. [Transitive]\n Example<\/strong>: She has called off<\/strong> the meeting so I now have some free time this afternoon<\/em>. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Scenario: You\u2019ve got a meeting scheduled for 1pm, but you have a doctor\u2019s appointment at that time and you need to postpone the meeting. Here you can ask to \u2018put it off\u2019 until a later time. [Transitive]\n Example<\/strong>: Would you mind if we put off<\/strong> the meeting until tomorrow?<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the workplace, you may be presented with a number of different options for projects or proposals etc. Therefore, you need to think carefully about the strengths and weaknesses of each option, and then decide what the best option would be. [Transitive]\n Here, the phrasal verb \u2018weigh up\u2019 is used to mean that you have to consider the pros and cons surrounding the topic to make a judgment.<\/p>\n Example<\/strong>: We need to weigh up<\/strong> the benefits and pitfalls<\/strong><\/span> of each project before choosing one<\/em>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you miss someone\u2019s call or are too busy to take it at that moment, then you may have to return it at a later time or date. Here, you can use the phrasal verb \u2018call back\u2019. [Transitive]\n Example<\/strong>: I\u2019m sorry, I can\u2019t take your call right now, but I will call you back<\/strong> later when I have more time<\/em>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n If a company is looking for new employees, then they will be aiming to \u2018take on\u2019 new staff, meaning contract or hire someone. It can also mean to accept work or responsibility, as in to \u2018take on a new project\u2019. [Transitive]\n Example<\/strong>: Unfortunately, we\u2019re not taking on<\/strong> any new staff at the moment, or taking on<\/strong> any new clients.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n You may have an idea for a new project or something you\u2019d like to do that may be useful for a client. However, before you do anything, it\u2019s a good idea to \u2018run it by\u2019 your colleagues, boss or client. Here, you want to tell someone else about it to check their opinion or reaction to it. [Transitive]\n Example<\/strong>: I’ll have to run the proposal by<\/strong> my boss first to see what she thinks<\/em>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Imagine this scenario: You\u2019re very busy at work, and haven\u2019t had the chance to complete all your tasks. As a result, you may need to work overtime<\/strong><\/span><\/em> or during the weekends to \u2018catch up\u2019. This means that you need to meet some deadlines, or do some tasks that you haven\u2019t done yet. [Intransitive\/Transitive]\n Example<\/strong>: I\u2019m swamped<\/strong><\/span> with work, I need to spend the weekend catching up with it<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The noun \u2018branch\u2019 is a part of a tree which grows out from the trunk. Imagine the main trunk<\/strong><\/span><\/em> as the central function of a business. Then think of the branches coming out as new paths or routes that the business may take. [Intransitive]\n In this sense, the business may \u2018branch out\u2019 to other industries, markets or services.<\/p>\n Example<\/strong>: My business is thinking about branching out<\/strong> from selling only one product to three!<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n When someone decides to leave or resign from a position due to circumstances such as bad health, poor performance or the wish to pursue another role, we say that they \u2018step down\u2019. [Intransitive]\n Example<\/strong>: The CEO was forced to step down<\/strong> due to personal reasons<\/em>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Many are familiar with the general English meaning of \u2018take off\u2019 \u2013 when a plane leaves the runway and becomes airborne<\/strong><\/span><\/em>.<\/p>\n However, fewer people know the business English meaning of \u2018take off\u2019, which is to become popular or successful fast. [Intransitive]\n Example<\/strong>: Her new business has really taken off<\/strong> in the last month!<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n A common expression, \u2018look forward to\u2019 is used when someone is excited about something in the future.<\/p>\n Yet, this three part phrasal verb can also be used in a business context. It is common to end an email or letter with the phrase \u2018I look forward to hearing from you.\u2019 This is a formal way of expressing interest in the recipient\u2019s response. [Transitive]\n Example<\/strong>: Thank you for your attention. I look forward to<\/strong> hearing from you soon<\/em>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Check out the following posts to help you learn more business English:<\/p>\n Small Talk For Business English<\/a><\/p>\n 10 Business Idioms For The Workplace<\/a><\/p>\n Useful Expressions For Negotiating In English<\/a><\/p>\n 8 Resources To Build Your Business Vocabulary<\/a><\/p>\n1. Bring forward<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
2. Call off<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
3. Put off<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
4. Weigh up<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
5. Call back<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
6. Take on<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
7. Run by<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
8. Catch up (with\/on)<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
9. Branch out<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
10. Step down<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
11. Take off<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
12. Look forward to<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Looking for more business English resources?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n