10 Essential Business English Phrasal Verbs

Are you struggling to communicate fluently and confidently in English?

For non-native speakers, clear and assertive communication is crucial to effective leadership. But if you’re still finding it challenging to express yourself with confidence, mastering commonly used business phrasal verbs can make all the difference.

Ready to level up your business English? Today, we’re diving into 10 essential phrasal verbs that will instantly sharpen your communication skills and elevate your leadership presence.

1. Break Down

• Definition: To analyze or examine something in detail, often to understand its components or causes.

• Example Sentences:

  1. The team broke down the data to identify trends and patterns.

  2. During the meeting, we'll break down the project into smaller tasks for better management.

  3. It's essential to break down complex problems into manageable parts to find effective solutions.

2. Look Into

• Definition: To investigate or examine a situation or issue thoroughly.

• Example Sentences:

  1. The authorities promised to look into the complaints filed by the residents.

  2. We need to look into the feasibility of expanding our business into new markets.

  3. The research team will look into the potential side effects of the new medication.

3. Follow Up

• Definition: To pursue or take further action regarding something that has been started or discussed earlier.

• Example Sentences:

  1. After the initial meeting, the sales representative will follow up with potential clients.

  2. Don't forget to follow up on the job application you submitted last week.

  3. The manager promised to follow up on the employee's suggestions during the next team meeting.

4. Work Out

• Definition: To resolve or solve a problem, conflict, or issue; to come to a satisfactory conclusion.

• Example Sentences:

  1. The negotiation took longer than expected, but eventually, we worked out a compromise.

  2. I need to work out the logistics before I can confirm my attendance at the conference.

  3. Regular exercise helps me work out stress and clear my mind.

5. Deal With

• Definition: To handle or manage a situation, task, or person, especially one that is difficult or challenging.

• Example Sentences:

  1. As the team leader, it's your responsibility to deal with any conflicts that arise.

  2. We need to deal with the budget constraints before moving forward with the project.

  3. She's good at dealing with difficult customers and resolving their issues efficiently.

6. Fill In

• Definition: To provide information or complete a form, document, or gap.

• Example Sentences:

  1. Please fill in your contact details on the registration form.

  2. Can you fill in for me while I'm on vacation next week?

  3. She asked her colleague to fill in the missing details in the report.

7. Put Off

• Definition: To postpone or delay something until a later time or date.

• Example Sentences:

  1. Due to unforeseen circumstances, we had to put off the project launch.

  2. Don't put off dealing with the issue. It will only worsen over time.

  3. I keep putting off organizing my files, but it really needs to be done soon.

8. Run By

• Definition: To inform or consult someone about a plan, idea, or decision for their input or approval.

• Example Sentences:

  1. Before finalizing the proposal, I need to run it by the CEO for feedback.

  2. Let me run the schedule by you to see if it works for everyone.

  3. He always runs his business ideas by his mentor for advice and guidance.

9. Phase Out

• Definition: To gradually discontinue or remove something, usually over a period of time.

• Example Sentences:

  1. The company plans to phase out the use of plastic packaging by the end of the year.

  2. As technology advances, older models of smartphones are phased out to make room for newer versions.

  3. The government announced a plan to phase out coal-fired power plants in favor of renewable energy sources.

10. Wrap Up

• Definition: To finish or conclude something, often by completing remaining tasks or summarizing key points.

• Example Sentences:

  1. Let's wrap up the meeting with a summary of the main decisions made.

  2. After months of filming, the production team finally wrapped up shooting the movie.

  3. It's getting late. We should wrap up the discussion and continue tomorrow.

Whether you're a seasoned leader or aspiring to enhance your communication prowess, mastering these phrasal verbs will elevate your ability to convey ideas and lead with clarity and confidence.

Keep Learning

Don’t stop here—take your communication skills even further with these 43 Business Expressions You Should Know that will boost your confidence and fluency. Click here to dive in!

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