Business English Conversation Lessons: Phrasal

Verbs
 In this conversation lesson, students are introduced to some common phrasal verbs used
in business English.  Students then participate in a small group discussion which requires
them to use the phrasal verbs.  This lesson is designed for intermediate students.

Introducing Phrasal Verbs

Start by writing some sentences on the board with some common phrasal verbs your
students will know.

I wake up at 6:00 AM on weekdays.

I’m going to go out with some coworkers after work today.

If you don’t know a word in English, you should look it up in the dictionary.

Explain that the underlined words are phrasal verbs.  Explain that a phrasal verb is a verb
with a preposition or adverb (sometimes more than one) attached to it which creates a
meaning different from the original verb.

Then, go over the difference between separable and inseparable verbs.  This link from
English Page clearly illustrates the difference.

Conversation Questions
Review the meaning of the phrasal verbs in the conversation questions below.  Check out
the list of the most common phrasal verbs for business English for definitions and examples
of all the phrasal verbs below.

1) Tell the people in your group about a time your company tried something out that didn’t
work.  What happened?  Why didn’t it work?

2) What things do you shop around for?  Do you usually shop around for the things you
buy?

3) Who do you count on most at work?  How would you describe this person? How does
he/she help you at work?
4) Is there anything your company is trying to cut back on right now?  What is it?  Is there
anything you are trying to cut back on right now?

5) Have you ever had to do something over because you did it incorrectly the first time?
What was it?

6) Tell your group about a time you had to give in to someone’s demands or requests.
Why did you give in?

7) What things do you normally go over with your boss?  How often do you go over these
things?

8) When is your next vacation?  Where are you going to go?  What are you going to do?
Are you looking forward to it?  Is there anything else that you are looking forward
to right now?

9) Do you procrastinate a lot?  What type of things do you put off doing?  What do

you put these things off?

10) Have you ever ordered something online that you had to send back?  What was wrong
with the product?

11) Have you ever turned down a job offer or a promotion?  What was it?  Why did
you turn it down?

12) Have you ever used up your vacation days very early in the year?  Why?  Do you
usually use up your vacation days right away, or do you save them?  Why?

13) Who do you look up to at work?  How would you describe this person/these people?
Do people look up to you at work?  Why or why not?

14) What is something you have to look out for at work?  Tell your group about it.

15) Tell your group about a time someone let you down (either professionally or

personally).  What happened?  Tell your group about a time you let someone down.  What
happened?

16) Have you ever found out something surprising about a coworker?  What was it?  What
are people surprised to find outabout you?