Vocabulary
Phrasal Verbs in Business English: The Gap That Makes You Sound Foreign
Russian speakers often use formal Latin-based verbs (implement, postpone, discuss) while natives use phrasal verbs (roll out, put off, talk through). Both are correct — but avoiding phrasal verbs makes you sound stiff and non-native. Here is how to close the gap.
Why natives prefer them
Phrasal verbs feel warmer and more natural in spoken business English. 'Let's set up a call' sounds collegial; 'Let us organise a telephone conference' sounds like a translated document.
Learn them in context, not in lists
Memorising 200 phrasal verbs from a list fails. Learn them in real sentences tied to your work — 'follow up on the email', 'roll out the feature' — so they stick to situations you actually use.
The 20 that cover most meetings
You do not need hundreds. Around 20 cover most business situations: follow up, catch up, roll out, put off, bring up, sort out, go over, reach out, wrap up, touch base. Master these first.
Watch the register
Some phrasal verbs are too casual for formal writing. In emails to clients, balance them with neutral verbs. Knowing when to use which is the mark of a truly advanced speaker.
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