Mastering Business Phrasal Verbs: A Comprehensive Guide

In the world of business, effective communication is paramount. While a strong vocabulary and a solid grasp of grammar are essential, understanding and using business phrasal verbs can significantly enhance your ability to express ideas clearly and concisely.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of business phrasal verbs, covering their definition, structure, usage, and common mistakes. Whether you’re a student, a seasoned professional, or simply looking to improve your business English, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and skills to confidently incorporate these versatile expressions into your everyday communication.

This article is designed to be a practical resource, offering numerous examples, practice exercises, and helpful tips to facilitate your learning journey. By mastering business phrasal verbs, you’ll not only improve your comprehension of business-related texts and conversations but also enhance your ability to communicate effectively and professionally in a variety of business contexts.

Table of Contents

1. Definition of Business Phrasal Verbs
2. Structural Breakdown of Business Phrasal Verbs
3. Types and Categories of Business Phrasal Verbs
4. Separable Phrasal Verbs
5. Inseparable Phrasal Verbs
6. Transitive Phrasal Verbs
7. Intransitive Phrasal Verbs
8. Examples of Business Phrasal Verbs
9. Phrasal Verbs with ‘Call’
10. Phrasal Verbs with ‘Bring’
11. Phrasal Verbs with ‘Carry’
12. Phrasal Verbs with ‘Set’
13. Phrasal Verbs with ‘Take’
14. Usage Rules for Business Phrasal Verbs
15. Common Mistakes with Business Phrasal Verbs
16. Practice Exercises
17. Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
18. Exercise 2: Sentence Transformation
19. Exercise 3: Multiple Choice
20. Advanced Topics in Business Phrasal Verbs
21. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
22. Conclusion

Definition of Business Phrasal Verbs

A phrasal verb is a verb that is combined with an adverb or a preposition, or sometimes both, to create a new meaning. The meaning of a phrasal verb is often idiomatic, meaning it cannot be deduced from the individual words that make it up.

In the context of business, phrasal verbs are used to describe specific actions, processes, or situations that are common in the workplace. They are an integral part of business communication, adding nuance and efficiency to conversations and written materials.

Business phrasal verbs are essential for understanding and participating in business discussions, writing reports, and giving presentations. They are frequently used in meetings, emails, and other forms of professional communication.

Mastering these verbs will not only improve your comprehension but also make your communication more natural and effective.

For example, the phrasal verb “call off” in a business context means to cancel something. So, “We had to call off the meeting due to unforeseen circumstances” means the meeting was cancelled. Notice how the meaning of “call off” is different from the individual meanings of “call” and “off.” This idiomatic nature is characteristic of phrasal verbs.

Structural Breakdown of Business Phrasal Verbs

The structure of a phrasal verb consists of two or three parts: a verb and one or two particles. The particle can be either an adverb or a preposition. Understanding these components helps in recognizing and using phrasal verbs correctly.

The basic structure is: Verb + Particle (Adverb or Preposition)

Here are some examples illustrating the structure:

• Verb + Adverb: “draw up” (draw + up) – to prepare a document. Example: “The lawyers will draw up the contract.”
• Verb + Preposition: “look into” (look + into) – to investigate. Example: “We will look into the matter immediately.”
• Verb + Adverb + Preposition: “catch up on” (catch + up + on) – to do something that you have not had time to do recently. Example: “I need to catch up on my emails.”

The verb component is always a verb, while the particle modifies the meaning of the verb. The particle can significantly alter the meaning of the base verb.

Recognizing these structures is crucial for understanding and using phrasal verbs effectively.

Types and Categories of Business Phrasal Verbs

Business phrasal verbs can be categorized based on several criteria, including separability and transitivity. Understanding these categories is important for using phrasal verbs correctly in different contexts.

Separable Phrasal Verbs

Separable phrasal verbs are those where the verb and the particle can be separated by an object pronoun or a noun. The object can be placed between the verb and the particle, or after the particle. However, when the object is a pronoun (e.g., it, him, her, them), it must be placed between the verb and the particle.

Example:

• Correct: “Please fill out the form.”
• Correct: “Please fill the form out.”
• Correct: “Please fill it out.”
• Incorrect: “Please fill out it.”

Here are more examples:

• “Call off”: “We had to call off the meeting.” / “We had to call the meeting off.” / “We had to call it off.”
• “Lay off”: “The company decided to lay off some workers.” / “The company decided to lay some workers off.” / “The company decided to lay them off.”

Inseparable Phrasal Verbs

Inseparable phrasal verbs are those where the verb and the particle cannot be separated by an object. The object must always follow the particle.

Example:

• Correct: “We need to look into the matter.”
• Incorrect: “We need to look the matter into.”

Here are more examples:

• “Look into”: “The manager will look into the complaint.”
• “Get through”: “I couldn’t get through to the customer service.”

Transitive Phrasal Verbs

Transitive phrasal verbs require a direct object. These phrasal verbs express an action that is done to someone or something.

The object can be a noun or a pronoun.

Example:

• “The company decided to lay off some employees.” (employees is the direct object)

Intransitive Phrasal Verbs

Intransitive phrasal verbs do not require a direct object. These phrasal verbs express a state or action that does not act upon someone or something.

Example:

• “The deal fell through.” (no direct object)

Examples of Business Phrasal Verbs

This section provides a comprehensive list of business phrasal verbs, categorized by common verbs. Each example is accompanied by a definition and a sentence illustrating its use in a business context.

Understanding these examples will help you recognize and use these phrasal verbs effectively.

Phrasal Verbs with ‘Call’

Phrasal verbs with “call” are frequently used in business to describe communication and decision-making processes. These verbs are essential for discussing meetings, strategies, and project management.

The following table provides examples of phrasal verbs using ‘call’:

Phrasal Verb	Definition	Example Sentence
Call off	To cancel something	We had to call off the meeting due to the CEO’s illness.
Call on	To visit or ask someone for something	We need to call on our major clients to discuss the new product launch.
Call up	To telephone someone	I will call up the supplier to confirm the delivery date.
Call for	To require or demand something	The project calls for a significant investment in technology.
Call back	To return a phone call	I’ll call you back as soon as I have more information.
Call out	To publicly criticize someone	The union called out the company for its unfair labor practices.
Call around	To phone several people	I need to call around to find a venue for the conference.
Call in	To request assistance or expertise	We might need to call in a consultant to help with the marketing strategy.
Call upon	To formally ask someone to do something	The board called upon the CEO to resign after the scandal.
Call forward	To summon someone to come to the front	The manager called forward the employee of the month to receive the award.
Call down	To reprimand or scold someone	The supervisor called down the worker for being late.
Call in sick	To inform the employer that you are sick and will not come to work.	She had to call in sick due to the flu.
Call a meeting	To arrange a meeting	The manager decided to call a meeting to discuss the project’s progress.
Call to order	To begin a meeting or session	The chairperson called the meeting to order promptly at 9 AM.
Call time	To end a meeting or activity	After three hours of intense discussion, the director called time on the meeting.
Call into question	To express doubts about something	The new evidence calls into question the validity of the original report.
Call a halt to	To stop something	The project manager called a halt to the construction due to safety concerns.
Call attention to	To highlight something	The presenter called attention to the important statistics in the report.
Call for bids	To invite companies to submit proposals	The government called for bids for the construction of the new highway.
Call on resources	To utilize available resources	The team decided to call on additional resources to complete the project on time.
Call off negotiations	To cancel negotiations	The company called off negotiations after failing to reach an agreement.
Call for a vote	To request a formal vote	The chairman called for a vote on the proposed resolution.
Call to action	An encouragement to take action	The marketing campaign includes a strong call to action, urging customers to buy now.
Call someone out on	To challenge someone about something	The CEO called the manager out on the inaccurate sales figures.
Call for an investigation	To request an official inquiry	The shareholders called for an investigation into the company’s financial practices.

Phrasal Verbs with ‘Bring’

Phrasal verbs with “bring” often involve introducing new ideas, products, or solutions. They are useful for discussing innovation, presentations, and problem-solving in a business environment.

The following table provides examples of phrasal verbs using ‘bring’:

Phrasal Verb	Definition	Example Sentence
Bring up	To mention a topic	Please bring up the budget concerns during the meeting.
Bring about	To cause something to happen	The new policy brought about significant changes in the company culture.
Bring in	To introduce or hire someone	We need to bring in a consultant to help us with the project.
Bring down	To reduce or lower something	The new strategy aims to bring down operational costs.
Bring forward	To move something to an earlier date or time	The meeting was brought forward to accommodate the CEO’s schedule.
Bring out	To launch or introduce a new product	The company is planning to bring out a new line of eco-friendly products.
Bring back	To reintroduce or revive something	They decided to bring back the old marketing campaign due to its success.
Bring together	To unite or gather people	The conference will bring together experts from various fields.
Bring on	To cause something, usually negative	The increased workload brought on a lot of stress among the employees.
Bring to light	To reveal or uncover something	The investigation brought to light several instances of fraud.
Bring around	To persuade someone to your point of view	He tried to bring me around to his way of thinking, but I disagreed.
Bring into play	To introduce or use something	We need to bring into play all our resources to complete the project.
Bring down the house	To cause a great deal of applause or laughter	The CEO’s speech brought down the house at the annual conference.
Bring in line with	To make something similar to something else	We need to bring our prices in line with the competition.
Bring something to fruition	To successfully complete something	After years of hard work, they finally brought their project to fruition.
Bring to an end	To finish or conclude something	The negotiations brought the dispute to an end.
Bring forward a proposal	To suggest a proposal	The manager brought forward a proposal to increase employee benefits.
Bring someone to justice	To arrest someone and put them on trial	The authorities worked hard to bring the culprits to justice.
Bring into effect	To implement something	The new regulations will be brought into effect next month.
Bring to a standstill	To stop something	The strike brought the factory to a standstill.
Bring under control	To manage something effectively	The new management team managed to bring the company’s finances under control.
Bring into question	To cast doubt on something	The new evidence brings the original report into question.
Bring to light new information	To reveal new information	The investigation brought to light new information about the fraud.
Bring good news	To deliver positive updates	The CEO brought good news about the company’s record profits.
Bring to the table	To offer or contribute something valuable	Each team member brings unique skills to the table.

Phrasal Verbs with ‘Carry’

Phrasal verbs with “carry” are often used to describe managing tasks, projects, and responsibilities. They are essential for discussing workflow, execution, and follow-through in a business context.

The following table provides examples of phrasal verbs using ‘carry’:

Phrasal Verb	Definition	Example Sentence
Carry out	To execute or perform a task	We need to carry out the marketing plan as scheduled.
Carry on	To continue doing something	Despite the challenges, we must carry on with the project.
Carry over	To transfer something to a later time	Any unused vacation days will carry over to the next year.
Carry through	To complete something despite difficulties	The team carried through with the project despite several setbacks.
Carry weight	To be influential or important	His opinion carries a lot of weight in the company.
Carry the can	To take responsibility for something, often a mistake	He had to carry the can for the team’s failure.
Carry all before one	To be very successful and overcome all obstacles	The new product carried all before it and became a market leader.
Carry favor with	To be liked or approved by someone	He carries favor with the boss due to his hard work.
Carry conviction	To be believable or persuasive	His arguments carried conviction with the jury.
Carry a motion	To win a vote	The proposal carried a motion at the board meeting.
Carry forward	To transfer something to a future time or date	The remaining budget will be carried forward to the next quarter.
Carry on business	To continue operating a business	The company carried on business as usual despite the economic downturn.
Carry out an investigation	To conduct an investigation	The police carried out an investigation into the fraud.
Carry a risk	To involve a risk	The investment carries a significant risk.
Carry the burden	To bear a responsibility	He carries the burden of managing the entire department.
Carry the day	To win or succeed	The sales team carried the day with their excellent performance.
Carry weight with someone	To be influential with someone	His opinion carries weight with the CEO.
Carry a balance	To have an outstanding amount	The account carries a balance of $5000.
Carry a guarantee	To have a guarantee	The product carries a two-year guarantee.

Phrasal Verbs with ‘Set’

Phrasal verbs with “set” are used to describe establishing goals, starting processes, and organizing activities. They are essential for planning, management, and goal-setting in a business context.

The following table provides examples of phrasal verbs using ‘set’:

Phrasal Verb	Definition	Example Sentence
Set up	To establish or arrange something	We need to set up a meeting with the new client.
Set out	To start a journey or task with a specific goal	The company set out to become a market leader in sustainable products.
Set off	To trigger or initiate something	The new marketing campaign set off a significant increase in sales.
Set aside	To reserve or save something for a specific purpose	We need to set aside a budget for research and development.
Set back	To delay or impede progress	The unexpected expenses set back the project by several weeks.
Set in	To become established or fixed	The trend towards remote work is setting in across the industry.
Set down	To write or record something	The terms of the agreement were set down in the contract.
Set about	To start doing something in an organized way	We need to set about organizing the conference logistics.
Set upon	To attack or assault someone	The competitors set upon the new startup with aggressive marketing tactics.
Set forth	To present or explain something clearly	The CEO set forth the company’s vision for the next five years.
Set the stage	To create the conditions for something to happen	The new regulations set the stage for industry innovation.
Set the record straight	To correct a false or misleading statement	The company issued a statement to set the record straight about the rumors.
Set an example	To behave in a way that others can imitate	The manager tries to set an example for his team by always being punctual.
Set a precedent	To establish a standard for future actions	The court’s decision set a precedent for similar cases.
Set a deadline	To establish a time limit	We need to set a deadline for completing the project.
Set targets	To establish goals	The company set ambitious targets for sales growth.
Set in motion	To start a process	The new policy set in motion a series of changes within the company.
Set the tone	To establish a particular mood or atmosphere	The CEO’s speech set the tone for a positive and productive year.
Set sail	To begin a journey or venture	The company set sail into new markets with their innovative product line.
Set one’s sights on	To aim for something	The team set their sights on achieving record sales this quarter.

Phrasal Verbs with ‘Take’

Phrasal verbs with “take” are often used to describe actions involving responsibility, control, or acquisition. They are essential for discussing management, strategy, and decision-making in a business context.

The following table provides examples of phrasal verbs using ‘take’:

Phrasal Verb	Definition	Example Sentence
Take on	To accept a responsibility or task	I’m willing to take on the project if no one else can.
Take over	To assume control or responsibility for something	The new CEO will take over the company next month.
Take off	To become successful or popular quickly	The new product took off immediately after its launch.
Take up	To start a new hobby or activity	She decided to take up coding to improve her skills.
Take down	To remove or dismantle something	Please take down the posters after the event.
Take back	To retract or withdraw a statement	I take back what I said earlier; I was mistaken.
Take in	To understand or absorb information	It’s hard to take in all the details in such a short time.
Take out	To obtain or acquire something	We need to take out a loan to finance the expansion.
Take after	To resemble someone in appearance or character	He takes after his father in his business acumen.
Take apart	To disassemble or dismantle something	The engineer had to take apart the machine to repair it.
Take stock	To review or assess a situation	We need to take stock of our progress before making further decisions.
Take exception to	To object to something strongly	He took exception to the manager’s criticism.
Take for granted	To underestimate or not appreciate something	We shouldn’t take for granted the hard work of our employees.
Take into account	To consider something	We need to take into account the market trends when planning our strategy.
Take advantage of	To make good use of an opportunity	We should take advantage of the current market conditions.
Take responsibility for	To accept accountability for something	The manager had to take responsibility for the team’s failure.
Take the initiative	To be proactive and start something	She decided to take the initiative and propose a new marketing strategy.
Take a hit	To suffer a negative impact	The company’s profits took a hit due to the economic downturn.
Take a break	To pause for a short rest	Let’s take a break before continuing with the meeting.
Take a chance	To do something risky	We decided to take a chance on the new venture.

Usage Rules for Business Phrasal Verbs

Using business phrasal verbs correctly involves understanding their separability, transitivity, and context. Here are some key rules to follow:

1. Separability: Remember that some phrasal verbs are separable, while others are inseparable. If a phrasal verb is separable, you can place the object between the verb and the particle. If it’s inseparable, the object must follow the particle.
2. Pronoun Objects: When the object is a pronoun (e.g., it, him, her, them), it must be placed between the verb and the particle in separable phrasal verbs.
3. Transitivity: Ensure that you use transitive phrasal verbs with a direct object and intransitive phrasal verbs without one.
4. Context: Pay attention to the context in which you are using the phrasal verb. The same phrasal verb can have different meanings in different contexts.
5. Formal vs. Informal: Be aware of the formality of the situation. While phrasal verbs are common in everyday business communication, they may not be appropriate for highly formal documents or presentations.

For example, consider the phrasal verb “hand in.” It is separable, so you can say “Please hand in your report” or “Please hand your report in.” However, if the object is a pronoun, it must be placed between the verb and the particle: “Please hand it in.”

Understanding these rules will help you use business phrasal verbs accurately and effectively in your communication.

Common Mistakes with Business Phrasal Verbs

Many learners make common mistakes when using business phrasal verbs. Being aware of these errors can help you avoid them and improve your accuracy.

Here are some frequent mistakes and their corrections:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
We need to look the problem into.	We need to look into the problem.	“Look into” is an inseparable phrasal verb, so the object must follow the particle.
Please call off it.	Please call it off.	When the object is a pronoun, it must be placed between the verb and the particle in separable phrasal verbs.
The meeting was put off because of the storm.	The meeting was called off because of the storm.	“Put off” means to postpone, while “call off” means to cancel. The correct phrasal verb depends on the intended meaning.
I will call you after back.	I will call you back.	The word “after” is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect in this context.
He brought up the problem about the budget.	He brought up the budget problem.	The word “about” is redundant. The phrasal verb “bring up” already implies mentioning a topic.
She dealed with the customer.	She dealt with the customer.	The past tense of “deal” is “dealt,” not “dealed.”
I look forward to meet you.	I look forward to meeting you.	After “look forward to,” use the gerund (verb + -ing).
We must carry on the project hardly.	We must carry on the project with diligence.	“Hardly” means “barely,” not “with effort.” Use “with diligence” or a similar phrase to convey effort.
The company set up on a new venture.	The company set out on a new venture.	“Set up” means to establish, while “set out” means to start with a specific goal. The correct phrasal verb depends on the intended meaning.
The CEO took the company over since last year.	The CEO took over the company last year.	The tense is The tense is inconsistent. Use the simple past tense “took over” to indicate a completed action in the past.

By being mindful of these common errors, you can enhance your fluency and precision in using business phrasal verbs.

Practice Exercises

To solidify your understanding of business phrasal verbs, complete the following exercises. These exercises cover fill-in-the-blanks, sentence transformation, and multiple-choice questions.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate phrasal verb from the list below. Use each phrasal verb only once.

Phrasal Verb List: call off, bring up, carry out, set up, take on

1. We had to __________ the meeting due to unforeseen circumstances.
2. The manager decided to __________ a meeting to discuss the new project.
3. I don’t want to __________ any controversial topics during the presentation.
4. The company plans to __________ the marketing campaign next quarter.
5. I’m willing to __________ the additional responsibilities if needed.

Answer Key:

1. call off
2. set up
3. bring up
4. carry out
5. take on

Exercise 2: Sentence Transformation

Rewrite the following sentences using the phrasal verb provided.

1. The company will investigate the matter. (look into)
2. They cancelled the event due to low attendance. (call off)
3. We need to reduce the expenses. (bring down)
4. The new product became popular quickly. (take off)
5. The team will execute the plan next week. (carry out)

Answer Key:

1. The company will look into the matter.
2. They had to call off the event due to low attendance.
3. We need to bring down the expenses.
4. The new product took off quickly.
5. The team will carry out the plan next week.

Exercise 3: Multiple Choice

Choose the correct phrasal verb to complete the sentence.

1. We need to __________ a solution to this problem.
   1. bring up
   2. come up with
   3. carry out
2. The CEO decided to __________ the new policy immediately.
   1. set up
   2. take on
   3. bring in
3. The company had to __________ some employees due to financial difficulties.
   1. lay off
   2. call off
   3. take over
4. Please __________ the report by Friday.
   1. hand in
   2. set out
   3. bring about
5. The team will __________ the project despite the challenges.
   1. carry on
   2. call on
   3. take on

Answer Key:

1. b. come up with
2. c. bring in
3. a. lay off
4. a. hand in
5. a. carry on

Advanced Topics in Business Phrasal Verbs

For those looking to deepen their understanding of business phrasal verbs, consider exploring these advanced topics:

• Regional Variations: Phrasal verb usage can vary by region. Be aware of the specific phrasal verbs commonly used in different English-speaking countries.
• Contextual Nuances: The meaning of a phrasal verb can change depending on the specific context. Pay attention to the subtleties of language to use phrasal verbs accurately.
• Idiomatic Expressions: Many business phrasal verbs are part of larger idiomatic expressions. Learning these expressions can further enhance your communication skills.
• Formal Writing: While phrasal verbs are common in business communication, they may not always be appropriate for formal writing. Consider using more formal alternatives in certain situations.
• Business Jargon: Some phrasal verbs have become part of business jargon. Be aware of these terms and use them appropriately.

By delving into these advanced topics, you can achieve a more sophisticated understanding of business phrasal verbs and their usage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

Mastering business phrasal verbs is crucial for effective communication in the professional world. By understanding their definition, structure, and usage rules, you can significantly enhance your ability to comprehend and participate in business discussions.

This guide has provided you with a comprehensive overview of business phrasal verbs, offering numerous examples, practice exercises, and helpful tips to facilitate your learning journey. Remember to focus on consistent practice and exposure to real-world business contexts to solidify your understanding.

By confidently incorporating business phrasal verbs into your everyday communication, you’ll not only improve your comprehension of business-related texts and conversations but also enhance your ability to communicate effectively and professionally in a variety of business contexts. Continue to explore advanced topics and refine your skills to achieve a more sophisticated understanding of these versatile expressions.

With dedication and practice, you can master business phrasal verbs and elevate your communication prowess in the business arena.