Have you ever written an email and felt like it was too simple or not exactly what you wanted to say? Here are 10 phrasal verbs that you can start using to make your business emails more professional!
Firstly, What is a phrasal verb?
Phrasal verbs act like verbs (action words). A phrasal verb is a combination of:
a verb (Example: run, go, jump, send, etc.).
Preposition or two (Example: in, on, on, forward, etc.)
For Example:
Looking for = search
I am looking for my phone = I am searching for my phone
10 Phrasal Verbs for Business Emails:
1. Look forward to
Structure:
Look forward to + verb(ing)
Look forward to + noun
Meaning
To anticipate and/or be excited for something in the future (in a formal way)
Example:
I look forward to hearing from you.
He looks forward to the meeting on Friday.
We look forward to your soonest reply.
2. Reach out
Structure:
reach to someone
reach out + about something
reach out + regarding something (professional)
Reach out + concerning something (formal)
Meaning:
To contact someone about something.
Example:
I am reaching out regarding your last email.
I reached out to Joe about the deadline for the project.
We are reaching out concerning your payment.
3. With regard to
Meaning :
about, concerning.
Structure:
with regard to + someone
With regard to + verb(ing)
With regard to + noun
Example:
This email is with regard to the Friday meeting
With regard to our previous discussion, I have sent you an email with all the information.
With regard to budgeting, please contact Susan from finance.
4. Send through
Meaning: to send someone something (usually an email, or package). Note: it is more professional than just using “send”.
Structure:
to send something through to someone.
Example:
Please send through all requested documents as soon as possible.
Joe will send through the budget to the team.
5. Follow up.
Meaning: to contact someone about a topic, problem or request previously discussed in order to see the status of it.
Structure :
Follow up on something
Follow up with someone
Example :
I am following up on the requested documents.
I followed up with Joe about the design and he advised that I contact you.
6. Fall behind on something
Meaning: not being up to date with the amount of work that needs to be done or completed.
Structure: fall behind on something
Example:
We can’t fall behind on the website design. Please update me if you require any help.
Joe has been sick and away from work. Therefore, the team has fallen behind on work. We ask for your patience during this time.
7. To keep in the loop
Meaning: to keep someone informed on new information or changes.
Structure:
Keep someone in the loop about something.
Keep someone in the loop regarding something. (more formal)
Example:
We will keep you in the loop regarding your application
If you don't mind, please keep me in the loop about the designs.
8. To catch up on something.
Meaning: to do work that needed to be done in the past but wasn't.
structure:
To catch up on + noun.
To catch up on + verb(ing)
Example:
I was sick last week so I have a lot of tasks to catch up on.
He caught up on all the work from last week so he is ready to assist with any new tasks
He has been catching up on all the copywriting from last week.
9. To get back to someone.
Meaning:
to reply to someone later.
Structure:
to get back to someone.
Example:
I'lI get back to you by the end of the day.
Please get back to me before the end of tomorrow.
10. To run something by someone
Meaning: to confirm something with someone or to get authority from someone else.
Structure: to run something by someone.
Example:
Before we continue, I need to run the design by the client.
Please run the budget by me before presenting it in the meeting.
Ready to practice?
Here is a free exercise to implement what you have learnt.
Please ______ the new office rules ____ the manager (get authority). We need his approval before we implement them.
I will ____ (contact) to you by the end of the week.
I ________ (excited) working together in the future.
I am _______ (to check someone previously discussed) the documents I requested from you last week. I still haven’t received anything.
Someone from our department will _____ (contact again) you by the end of the week with an update
We have ______ (be behind) work due to internet issues. We hope we will be able to catch it up next week.
Can you _____ Joe _____ (to update someone)? He is one of the decision-makers.
I am emailing you ______ (concerning) the status of your order.
Could you ______ (send) the document by tomorrow?
At the moment I have a lot to _____ (to do work that should have been done before), could we postpone the meeting till next week?
Answers:
Please run the new office rules by the manager. We need his approval before we implement them.
I will reach out to you by the end of the week.
I am looking forward to working together in the future.
I am running up on the documents I requested from you last week. I still haven’t received them.
Someone from our department will get back to you by the end of the week with an update
We have fallen behind on (be behind) work due to internet issues. We hope we will be able to catch it up next week.
Can you keep Joe in the loop? He is one of the decision-makers.
I am emailing you with regard to the status of your order.
Could you send through the document by tomorrow?
At the moment I have a lot to catch up on, could we postpone the meeting till next week?
Still, looking for further practice?
Take part in a group English class.
Comments