Phrasal Verbs for Presentations: A Comprehensive Guide for English Learners
Phrasal verbs are essential for delivering effective presentations in English. They add fluency and naturalness to your speech. Below is a detailed list of common phrasal verbs used in presentations, along with their meanings, examples, and exercises.
1. Break down
Meaning: To analyze or divide something into smaller parts.
- Let me break down the sales figures for you.
- She broke down the process into three simple steps.
- We need to break down the problem to understand it better.
2. Sum up
Meaning: To summarize or give a brief overview.
- To sum up, our profits have increased by 20% this year.
- He summed up the main points at the end of the presentation.
- Can you quickly sum up your argument?
3. Point out
Meaning: To highlight or draw attention to something.
- I’d like to point out the key trends in the market.
- She pointed out the errors in the report.
- He pointed out that our competitors are ahead of us.
4. Go over
Meaning: To review or examine something.
- Let’s go over the agenda before we begin.
- We need to go over the details one more time.
- She went over the slides to ensure everything was correct.
5. Bring up
Meaning: To mention or introduce a topic.
- I’d like to bring up an important issue.
- He brought up the budget concerns during the meeting.
- She brought up a new idea for the project.
6. Hand out
Meaning: To distribute something to a group of people.
- I’ll hand out copies of the report.
- They handed out brochures to the audience.
- Please hand out the questionnaires at the end.
7. Follow up
Meaning: To take further action or provide additional information.
- We’ll follow up with an email after the presentation.
- She followed up the meeting with a detailed report.
- Please follow up with the client next week.
8. Wrap up
Meaning: To conclude or finish something.
- Let’s wrap up the discussion now.
- He wrapped up his speech with a powerful quote.
- We need to wrap up the meeting in five minutes.
9. Call on
Meaning: To invite someone to speak or answer a question.
- I’ll call on a few people for their opinions.
- The teacher called on students to answer the question.
- She called on the expert to clarify the point.
10. Put forward
Meaning: To propose or suggest an idea.
- He put forward a new strategy for the project.
- They put forward several solutions to the problem.
- I’d like to put forward a different approach.
Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences with the correct phrasal verb from the list above.
- Can you _____ the main points of your presentation?
- We need to _____ the data to understand the trends.
- She _____ an interesting idea during the meeting.
- Let’s _____ the meeting by thanking everyone.
- Please _____ the handouts to the audience.
Exercise 2: Match the Phrasal Verb with Its Meaning
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Break down | a. To distribute |
| Sum up | b. To analyze |
| Hand out | c. To summarize |
Answer Key
Exercise 1 Answers
- sum up
- break down
- put forward / brought up
- wrap up
- hand out
Exercise 2 Answers
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Break down | b. To analyze |
| Sum up | c. To summarize |
| Hand out | a. To distribute |