Are phrasal verbs a constant struggle for you? The answer to this question is probably ‘Yes’! This is true for everyone learning English. One of the best ways to get phrasal verbs to be part of your working vocabulary is to practise using them as often as possible. This is why it is a good idea to group phrasal verbs by subject area or use, rather than trying to learn random lists of them. By doing this, you can practise them in a set context. Here we are looking at phrasal verbs for use at work.
Remember that phrasal verbs are a combination of a verb and one or two particles (prepositions or adverbs) that, when combined, take on a specific meaning. These combinations often have idiomatic meanings that differ from the literal meaning of the individual words. Phrasal verbs often have an equivalent synonym, but not always. Phrasal verbs are particularly common in spoken and informal English, but they’re also widely used in the workplace.
7 phrasal verbs regularly used in the work environment
1. Catch up (on/with)
Meaning: To reach the same level or standard as someone else or to complete something you are behind on. In the workplace, this can refer to finishing tasks or getting up to date with work. There is not an equivalent synonym for this verb. This phrasal verb can include one or two particles. Notice that if we refer to the object, we can use the particle on or with. Look at the examples and their translations.
Examples:
"After being off sick for a week, I need to catch up on/with all my emails." (Después de una semana de baja por enfermedad, necesito ponerme al día con todos mis correos electrónicos).
"I’ll stay late tonight to catch up on/with my project." (Me quedaré hasta tarde esta noche para ponerme al día con mi proyecto).
"We’ve fallen behind schedule, but we can catch up if we work hard." (Nos hemos retrasado, pero podemos ponernos al día si trabajamos duro).
2. Take on
Meaning: To accept a responsibility or a new task. This phrasal verb is commonly used when agreeing to take on new roles or projects at work.
Examples:
"I’ve decided to take on the new client proposal." (He decidido asumir la propuesta del nuevo cliente).
"Last year I took on too many responsibilities." (El año pasado asumí demasiadas responsabilidades).
"She’s always willing to take on new challenges." (Ella siempre está dispuesta a asumir nuevas responsabilidades).
3. Follow up (on)
Meaning: To check on something or someone after an initial interaction, often to ensure something has been done or to get more information.
Examples:
"I need to follow up on the email I sent last week." (Necesito hacer seguimiento al correo que envié la semana pasada).
"Please follow up with the client to make sure they’ve received the contract." (Por favor, haz seguimiento con el cliente para asegurarte de que ha recibido el contrato).
"Let me follow up on that task and I’ll get back to you tomorrow." (Permíteme que siga con esa tarea y te responderé mañana).
4. Look over
Meaning: To quickly review or examine something, usually to check for errors or to become familiar with it. A synonym of this would be the verb to review.
Examples:
"Can you look over this report before I send it to the boss?" (Puedes revisar este informe antes de que lo envíe al jefe?).
“We looked over the figures yesterday and realized that there was an error." (Ayer revisamos las cifras y nos dimos cuenta de que había un error).
“Maria is looking over the PowerPoint slides again before she presents." (María está revisando de nuevo las diapositivas de PowerPoint antes de presentarlas).
5. Come up with
Meaning: To think of or produce an idea, suggestion, or plan. It’s often used in a creative or problem-solving context at work.
Examples:
"We need to come up with a new marketing strategy." (Necesitamos que se nos ocurra una nueva estrategia de marketing).
“Paolo came up with a brilliant solution to the problem." (A Paolo se le ocurrió una solución brillante para el problema).
"Let’s brainstorm and see if we can come up with some fresh ideas." (Hagamos una lluvia de ideas y veamos si se nos ocurren otras nuevas).
6. Set up
Meaning: To arrange or organize something, like a meeting, system, or event. This is often used when preparing for something in the workplace.
Examples:
"I’ll set up a meeting for us to discuss the project." (Prepararé una reunión para que discutamos el proyecto).
"We need to set up a new filing system to organize the documents." (Necesitamos preparar un nuevo sistema de archivado para organizar los documentos).
"They’re setting up the conference room for the presentation." (Están preparando el salón de conferencias para la presentación).
7. Deal with
Meaning: To manage, handle, or take action in response to a task, problem, or situation. In the workplace, this often refers to resolving issues, addressing concerns, or handling responsibilities.
Examples:
"As the team leader, I often have to deal with client complaints and make sure they're satisfied with our service." (Como jefe de equipo, a menudo tengo que lidiar con las quejas de los clientes y asegurarme de que están satisfechos con nuestro servicio).
"Our department is currently dealing with budget cuts, so we need to find ways to reduce costs." (Nuestro departamento está lidiando actualmente con recortes de presupuesto, así que necesitamos encontrar formas de reducir costos).
"Could you deal with the technical issue on the website? It’s affecting our customers' ability to place orders." (¿Podrías encargarte de los temas técnicos de la página web? Está afectando la capacidad de nuestros clientes de hacer pedidos).
Mastering these phrasal verbs will help you sound more fluent and natural in the workplace. Remember, phrasal verbs are often context-dependent, so practice them in different situations to understand how they fit into various professional scenarios. Keep practising, and soon you’ll be using these phrases with ease!
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