LESSON 5.2

Business Phrasal Verbs

Understanding and using common separable and inseparable phrasal verbs in the workplace

📚 Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Identify the structure of separable and inseparable phrasal verbs
  • Distinguish between a phrasal verb that can be separated and one that cannot
  • Use common business phrasal verbs like call off, look into, and fill out correctly in sentences
  • Demonstrate understanding by completing business-related tasks and dialogues

📖 Grammar Explanation

A phrasal verb is a verb combined with a particle (a small word like on, off, up, out, into). The verb and particle together have a special meaning. For example, look means to use your eyes, but look into means to investigate.

Form/Structure:

There are two main types of phrasal verbs:

1. Inseparable Phrasal Verbs

The verb and particle always stay together.

Form: Subject + [phrasal verb] + object

Example: I will look into the problem. (You cannot say "look the problem into")

2. Separable Phrasal Verbs

You can put the object between the verb and the particle.

Form 1: Subject + [verb] + [particle] + object

Example: Please fill out the form.

Form 2: Subject + [verb] + object + [particle]

Example: Please fill the form out.

🔑 Key Learning Tip: Remember the Pronoun Rule: If the object is it or them, it always goes in the middle of a separable phrasal verb. "Call the meeting off" and "Call off the meeting" are both good. But only "Call it off" is correct.

Usage Rules:

  • We use phrasal verbs a lot in spoken English and informal emails. They make language sound more natural.
  • IMPORTANT RULE: If the object of a separable phrasal verb is a pronoun (like it, them, me, him), it MUST go in the middle.
  • Correct: Please fill it out.
  • Incorrect: Please fill out it.

💼 Professional Contexts

Context Card 1: Phrasal Verbs in Professional Contexts

Meetings: "We need to set up a meeting for next week." (arrange) or "We have to call off the client visit." (cancel)

Projects: "Let's go over the project plan one more time." (review) and "Maria will carry out the research." (do/complete)

Deadlines: "Can we put off the decision until tomorrow?" (postpone) or "The manager wants to bring forward the deadline." (make earlier)

Problem Solving: "I will look into the customer complaint immediately." (investigate) and "We need to sort out this payment issue." (resolve)

Context Card 2: Phrasal Verbs in Daily Business

Communication: "I will get back to you with an answer this afternoon." (reply to) and "Could you follow up on that email?" (check the status of)

Reporting: "Please fill out this expense report." (complete a form) and "Write down the main points from the call." (make a note of)

IT & Equipment: "Could you turn on the projector?" (start a machine) or "Don't forget to log out of your account." (exit a system)

Teamwork: "John can help you out with the presentation." (assist) or "I will send over the documents you need." (send, usually by email)

📝 Examples & Analysis

✅ Correct Usage

We need to set up a new system. (Separable verb, object at the end)
Can you please set the system up for us? (Separable verb, object in the middle)
The client is waiting. I must get back to them. (Inseparable verb, the object 'them' comes after)
She looked through the report and found a mistake. (Inseparable verb, object comes after)
Here is the invoice. Please look it over. (Separable verb with a pronoun 'it' in the middle)
They called off the event because of the bad weather. (Separable verb, object at the end)

❌ Common Mistakes

Pronoun Placement Error:
❌ I will send over it later.
✅ I will send it over later. (With separable verbs, a pronoun object like 'it' must go in the middle.)
Separating an Inseparable Verb:
❌ My boss will look the problem into.
✅ My boss will look into the problem. ('Look into' is an inseparable phrasal verb.)
Forgetting the Particle:
❌ Please fill this application.
✅ Please fill out this application. (The particle 'out' is necessary to complete the meaning.)

🎧 Listening Exercise

Audio Script: Maria, a Project Manager, leaving a message for Tom, a Team Member, in a phone call

"Hi Tom, it's Maria. Thanks for calling me back. I wanted to go over the plan for the new product launch. I know we are very busy, but it's important. I looked through the project timeline you sent. It looks good, but I think we need to bring forward the marketing meeting. Can we set it up for this Wednesday instead of Friday?

The design team sent their ideas. We need to look into their budget proposal because it seems a bit high. I need you to find out if we can get a better price for the materials. Just talk to our suppliers.

Also, I have some bad news. The presentation for the directors... we have to put it off for a week. The CEO is on a business trip. So, please don't send out the invitations yet. We will need to change the date.

Before you go, could you fill out the weekly progress report? It is very important for our records. Just write down the key achievements from this week. When you finish, just send it over to me by email. I will go over it before the end of the day.

One last thing, please get back to me about the suppliers before tomorrow morning. I need to make a decision. Okay? Great. Talk soon."

Questions:

1. In the audio, Maria says, "Can we set it up for this Wednesday?". Why does she put 'it' in the middle of the phrasal verb?

2. What problem does Maria want Tom to investigate?

3. Complete the sentence from the audio:

"Before you go, could you _______ the weekly progress report?"

Answer: fill out

🧠 Interactive Quiz

1. The project is too difficult. We should not _____.

2. My manager will _____ the new applications tomorrow morning.

3. We don't have enough time for the coffee break, so we must _____.

📋 Practice Exercises

Exercise A: Multiple Choice Cloze

Instructions: Read the email below and choose the correct phrasal verb for each gap.

Hi Team,

Just a quick update on the "Odyssey" project.

First, I had to (1)_____ the meeting with the design agency. Their director is sick. I will let you know the new date soon.

Second, please (2)_____ your timesheets for this week by 5 PM today. It's important for our budget tracking. If you need help, Sarah can (3)_____.

Finally, I have attached the client's feedback. Please (4)_____ carefully before our planning session tomorrow.

Thanks,
David

1. First gap:

2. Second gap:

Exercise B: Fill the Table

Instructions: Complete the table. Fill in the missing information for each phrasal verb.

Phrasal Verb Separable? (Yes/No) Meaning Example Sentence
call off Yes to cancel We have to the meeting.
look for to search I need to look for my keys.
write down Yes Can you write down his phone number?
get back to No to reply to I will get back to you tomorrow.
Yes to start a machine Please turn on the computer.

🗣️ Speaking Practice

Note: These tasks are for practice with your teacher. Do not record your answers.

Task 1: Managing a Schedule (Controlled Practice)

Instructions: You are talking to your assistant about your schedule for tomorrow. Use the phrasal verbs set up, call off, and put off to ask and answer questions.

Example Framework:

You: "Did you set up the call with Mr. Harris?"
Teacher (as assistant): "Yes, I set it up for 11 AM."
You: "Great. We need to call off the team lunch. Can you tell everyone?"

Task 2: Giving Instructions (Guided Practice)

Instructions: Imagine you are a team leader. A new team member has just started. Explain two things they need to do today using fill out and look through.

Example Response: "Welcome to the team! For your first task, could you please fill out this HR form? After that, please look through the company policy document on the server."

Task 3: Solving a Problem (Free Practice)

Instructions: Role-play a conversation with your manager. A client is unhappy with a delivery. Explain the situation and your plan to fix it.

Use at least three of these phrasal verbs: find out, look into, sort out, get back to

Example start: "Hi [Manager's Name]. I need to talk about the delivery for Client XYZ. There's a problem I need to look into..."

📋 Summary

Key Takeaways

  • A phrasal verb is a verb + particle with a special meaning (e.g., go over = review).
  • Inseparable verbs always stay together (look into).
  • Separable verbs can have the object in the middle (turn the light on).
  • The Pronoun Rule: Pronouns like it, them, and me MUST go in the middle of separable verbs (e.g., turn it on).

Study Tips

Learn in Context: Don't memorize long lists. Learn phrasal verbs in real business sentences. When you hear a new one, write down the full sentence.

Create Your Own Examples: Make sentences about your own job. For example, "I need to follow up with my manager" or "I have to fill out a report every week." This makes them easier to remember.

Focus on Opposites: Learn phrasal verbs in pairs, like turn on / turn off or put off / bring forward.