Hi there,

Welcome to Wisdom Wednesday. In today’s newsletter, we'll tackle a skill that can boost your confidence in the workplace: using phrasal verbs effectively.

Level Up Your Business English: Mastering Phrasal Verbs

Do you ever feel a little lost when colleagues start "throwing around" phrasal verbs? Don't worry, you're not alone! Phrasal verbs, like "to run into" (encounter unexpectedly) or "to break down" (explain in detail), can be tricky for learners. But fear not, because understanding these versatile verbs is key to unlocking fluency in Business English.

Here are 6 phrasal verbs commonly used in the business world, along with explanations to help you hit the ground running (start working immediately and effectively):

1. Touch base (with someone): This means to have a brief conversation to check in, share updates, or confirm something. For example, "Let's touch base tomorrow to finalize the agenda (not diary!) for the meeting."

2. Follow up (on something): To follow up means to contact someone again to see if they have completed a task or responded to a previous message. You might say, "I'll follow up with the client to ensure they received the proposal."

3. Iron out (the details): When you iron out the details, you discuss and resolve any small problems or disagreements to reach a final agreement. In a negotiation, you might say, "We still need to iron out a few details before we sign the contract."

4. Move forward (with something): This means to begin working on something or taking the next step in a process. Once you've ironed out the details, you can finally move forward with the project.

5. Chip in (with ideas): When you chip in, you contribute your ideas or suggestions to a group discussion. This demonstrates your willingness to participate and collaborate.

6. Wrap up (a meeting): To wrap up a meeting means to summarize the key points, next steps, and action items before adjourning (ending the meeting). This ensures everyone is clear on their responsibilities.

By incorporating these phrasal verbs into your vocabulary, you'll sound more confident and professional in your business interactions. Remember, the more you use phrasal verbs in context, the more comfortable you'll become with them. Don't be afraid to reach out (contact someone - in this case me) if you have any questions!

Word of the Day: Iron

Where does the phrasal verk to iron out come from? Well, an iron is the device we use to take creases out of our clothes.

Iron - noun - a piece of equipment used for making clothes flat and smooth with a handle and a flat base and is usually heated with electricity

e.g. steam iron, travel iron

So, "iron out" is a common phrasal verb that uses the image of ironing clothes to represent smoothing out problems or difficulties. Just like an iron removes wrinkles from fabric, ironing out something in business means resolving any issues to reach a smooth and successful outcome.

By the way, ‘iron’ is also the chemical element Fe and one of the types of stick used to hit a ball in golf (the other one is called a ‘wood’).

Do you have any Business English questions?

Please email me and I will do my best to answer them in future newsletters.

Until Friday - have a great day!

Iain.

www.communicateenglish.com

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