10 Must-Know Phrasal Verbs for Business Success in American English

As an English learner, one of the essential skills you need to master in American Business English is phrasal verbs. These are two or three-word phrases that include a verb and a particle or preposition. They're very common and can be challenging to understand because they're idiomatic, meaning their meaning is not always apparent from their individual words.

In this blog post, I will introduce you to the ten most common phrasal verbs used in American Business English. By the end of the post, you'll have a better understanding of these essential phrases, and you'll be better equipped to communicate with your colleagues, clients, and partners in international business settings.

1. Follow up: This phrasal verb is used to mean 'to check or confirm something that has been previously discussed or arranged.’

Example:

John: "Can you please follow up with the client and make sure they received the proposal?"

Mary: "Sure, I'll email them later today."

2. Look into - This phrasal verb is used to mean 'to investigate or research a topic or problem in more detail.'

Example:

Bob: "We've been having some issues with our website. Can you look into it?"

Alice: "Yes, I'll see what I can find out."

3. Set up - This phrasal verb is used to mean 'to arrange or organize something.'

Example:

Sarah: "We need to set up a meeting with the new investors."

Tom: "I'll take care of that. I'll send them an email and find a suitable time."

4. Get back to - This phrasal verb is used to mean 'to respond to someone or to provide information or an update.'

Example:

David: "Can you get back to me on the budget for this project?"

Mark: "Yes, I'll have the numbers ready by the end of the day."

5. Follow through - This phrasal verb is used to mean 'to complete or carry out/perform a task or promise.'

Example:

Susan: "We promised to deliver the product by Friday. Are we going to be able to follow through on that?"

Bob: "Yes, we're on track to meet the deadline."

6. Bring up - This phrasal verb is used to mean 'to mention or introduce a topic.'

Example:

Katie: "I'd like to bring up the issue of employee morale."

Mike: "Sure, let's discuss it after the presentation."

7. Work out - This phrasal verb is used to mean 'to resolve or come to an agreement.'

Example:

Chris: "We're having some problems with the project timeline. Can we work out a solution?"

Sarah: "Yes, let's brainstorm some ideas and see what we can come up with."

8. Back up - This phrasal verb is used to mean 'to support or provide evidence for a claim or argument.'

Example:

John: "I think we should increase our marketing budget."

Mary: "Can you back up that proposal with some data?"

9. Turn down - This phrasal verb is used to mean 'to refuse or reject something.'

Example:

Tom: "We offered them a partnership, but they turned it down."

Tanesha: "That's too bad. We'll have to look for other opportunities."

10. Wrap up - This phrasal verb is used to mean 'to finish or conclude something.'

Example:

David: "We've covered all the agenda items. Let's wrap up the meeting."

Mark: "Great, thanks everyone for coming."

In conclusion, these ten phrasal verbs are commonly used in American Business English and are essential for effective communication in international business settings. By mastering these phrasal verbs, you'll be able to better

As always, if you have any questions or want to book sessions with me, don’t hesitate to email me. I am always happy to help.