Phrasal Verbs for Work: A Comprehensive Guide for English Learners
Phrasal verbs are an essential part of English, especially in professional settings. They consist of a verb and one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs), and their meanings often differ from the original verb. Mastering phrasal verbs can significantly improve your fluency and comprehension in workplace communication. Below is a detailed list of common work-related phrasal verbs, their meanings, examples, and exercises to test your understanding.
1. Carry out
Meaning: To perform or complete a task or duty.
- The team will carry out the project next month.
- She was asked to carry out a survey on customer satisfaction.
- We need to carry out regular maintenance on the equipment.
2. Take on
Meaning: To accept or undertake a responsibility or job.
- He decided to take on the role of team leader.
- The company is taking on new employees this year.
- She shouldn’t take on too much work at once.
3. Set up
Meaning: To arrange or establish something, such as a business or system.
- They set up a new branch in London last year.
- Can you help me set up the meeting room for the presentation?
- The IT department will set up the new software for everyone.
4. Put off
Meaning: To postpone or delay something.
- We had to put off the meeting until next week.
- Don’t put off your tasks until the last minute.
- The manager decided to put off the decision until more data was available.
5. Go over
Meaning: To review or examine something carefully.
- Let’s go over the report before submitting it.
- The accountant needs to go over the financial statements.
- We’ll go over the details in tomorrow’s meeting.
6. Call off
Meaning: To cancel an event or activity.
- They had to call off the conference due to bad weather.
- The strike was called off after negotiations.
- Don’t call off the meeting unless it’s absolutely necessary.
7. Look into
Meaning: To investigate or examine a situation or problem.
- The HR department will look into the complaint.
- We need to look into the cause of the delay.
- He promised to look into the issue and get back to us.
8. Turn down
Meaning: To reject an offer or request.
- She turned down the job offer because of the low salary.
- The board turned down the proposal for budget cuts.
- He didn’t want to turn down the opportunity, but he had no choice.
9. Fill in
Meaning: To temporarily replace someone or complete a form.
- Can you fill in for me while I’m on vacation?
- Please fill in this application form and submit it by Friday.
- She filled in the details on the spreadsheet.
10. Run by
Meaning: To present an idea or plan for someone’s approval or feedback.
- I’d like to run this proposal by the manager first.
- He ran the new marketing strategy by the team.
- Make sure to run your ideas by the client before finalizing.
Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Choose the correct phrasal verb from the list above to complete the sentences.
- The company decided to __________ the new policy next month. (implement)
- Can you __________ this report for errors? (review)
- She had to __________ the job offer because of personal reasons. (reject)
- We need to __________ the cause of the technical issue. (investigate)
- They __________ the event due to low attendance. (cancel)
Exercise 2: Match the Phrasal Verb with Its Meaning
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Carry out | a. To cancel |
| Take on | b. To perform a task |
| Call off | c. To accept a responsibility |
| Look into | d. To investigate |
| Turn down | e. To reject |
Answer Key
Exercise 1 Answers:
- carry out
- go over
- turn down
- look into
- call off
Exercise 2 Answers:
| Phrasal Verb | Correct Letter |
|---|---|
| Carry out | b |
| Take on | c |
| Call off | a |
| Look into | d |
| Turn down | e |
By practicing these phrasal verbs, you’ll enhance your workplace communication skills and sound more natural in professional English. Keep reviewing and using them in context to master their meanings and applications!