Phrasal Verbs Workplace Worksheet

Word Bank: follow up | look into | run by | put off | take on | wrap up

Part A: Fill in the Blanks

Choose the correct phrasal verb from the word bank to complete each sentence.

1. Our team lead asked me to ______ the project timeline with the vendor next week. (to check on progress)

1. Can you ______ the recent inventory discrepancies and report back by Friday? (to investigate)

1. Before we finalize the proposal, I’d like to ______ it ______ my supervisor. (to seek feedback)

1. Due to the system outage, we will have to ______ the staff training session until tomorrow. (to postpone)

1. She agreed to ______ leadership of the new marketing campaign. (to accept responsibility)

1. Let’s ______ this meeting by summarizing our next action items. (to conclude)

Part B: Matching

Write the letter of the correct phrasal verb next to each definition.

Definitions:

1. To postpone or delay something. ______
2. To finish or conclude something. ______
3. To accept responsibility for a new task. ______
4. To present an idea for feedback or approval. ______
5. To check on progress or return to an earlier discussion. ______
6. To research or investigate a matter. ______

Phrasal Verbs:

A. run by B. wrap up C. follow up D. put off E. take on F. look into

Part C: Use in Context

Write three original sentences using different phrasal verbs from the word bank. Make sure each sentence clearly shows a workplace scenario.

Email Draft Template

Instructions

Use this template to draft a professional email. Incorporate at least three of the target phrasal verbs: follow up, look into, run by, put off, take on, wrap up.

To: _________________________________



Subject: ______________________________

Greeting

Dear ________________________________,

Opening (Purpose of Email)

I am writing to ________________________________________________________________.

Body

1. First, _______________________________________________________________________.
   
   
   
2. Next, ______________________________________________________________________ (for example, ask recipient to look into something).
   
   
   
3. Finally, ___________________________________________________________________ (for example, follow up, run by, or wrap up your message).
   
   
   

Closing and Next Steps

Please let me know if you have any questions or if you would like me to ____________________.

Sign-off

Best regards,


_______________________________

Meeting Roleplay Cards

Use these cards to practice two phrasal verbs in a simulated meeting. Pair up, choose a card, assign roles, and incorporate the target verbs naturally.

How to Use:

1. Select one card scenario.
2. Assign roles (A and B).
3. Take turns speaking, using the two phrasal verbs provided.
4. After the role-play, jot down feedback and new vocabulary.

Card 1: Reviewing the Project Timeline

Roles:

• Role A: Project Manager
• Role B: Vendor Liaison

Target Phrasal Verbs: run by, put off

Scenario:
The Project Manager wants to present the updated timeline to the Vendor Liaison and decide whether any milestones need to be delayed.

Role A (Project Manager)

• Prepare to run your timeline by the liaison.
• Be ready to suggest if certain tasks should be put off until resources arrive.

Notes / Key Phrases:

Role B (Vendor Liaison)

• Ask clarifying questions about dates.
• Discuss the feasibility of postponing specific deliverables.

Notes / Key Phrases:

Card 2: Investigating a Production Issue

Roles:

• Role A: Team Lead
• Role B: Data Analyst

Target Phrasal Verbs: look into, follow up

Scenario:
A recent quality-control alert came in. The Team Lead asks the Data Analyst to investigate the root cause and report back.

Role A (Team Lead)

• Ask the analyst to look into the reported defect.
• Plan when to follow up on findings next week.

Notes / Key Phrases:

Role B (Data Analyst)

• Describe your approach to investigating the data.
• Confirm when you will report back for a follow-up meeting.

Notes / Key Phrases:

Card 3: Delegating a New Campaign

Roles:

• Role A: Marketing Supervisor
• Role B: Team Member

Target Phrasal Verbs: take on, wrap up

Scenario:
The Supervisor is assigning a new marketing campaign. They need to discuss who will accept responsibility and how to conclude the planning meeting.

Role A (Supervisor)

• Invite the team member to take on the campaign.
• Propose how to wrap up the discussion and confirm next steps.

Notes / Key Phrases:

Role B (Team Member)

• Express willingness (or concerns) about taking on the task.
• Agree on how to wrap up and set a date for the next meeting.

Notes / Key Phrases:

Worksheet Answer Key

This key provides correct answers and the reasoning behind each choice to support grading and review.

Part A: Fill in the Blanks

How to choose: match the parenthetical definition to the phrasal verb in the word bank.

1. Our team lead asked me to follow up the project timeline with the vendor next week. (to check on progress)
   • “Follow up” means returning to an earlier discussion or task to check progress.
2. Can you look into the recent inventory discrepancies and report back by Friday? (to investigate)
   • “Look into” means investigating or researching an issue.
3. Before we finalize the proposal, I’d like to run it by my supervisor. (to seek feedback)
   • “Run by” + person means presenting an idea for feedback or approval.
4. Due to the system outage, we will have to put off the staff training session until tomorrow. (to postpone)
   • “Put off” means to postpone or delay something.
5. She agreed to take on leadership of the new marketing campaign. (to accept responsibility)
   • “Take on” means accepting a new task or responsibility.
6. Let’s wrap up this meeting by summarizing our next action items. (to conclude)
   • “Wrap up” means to finish or conclude something.

Part B: Matching

How to choose: find which lettered phrasal verb fits each definition.

Definitions:

1. To postpone or delay something. D. put off
2. To finish or conclude something. B. wrap up
3. To accept responsibility for a new task. E. take on
4. To present an idea for feedback or approval. A. run by
5. To check on progress or return to an earlier discussion. C. follow up
6. To research or investigate a matter. F. look into

Reasoning: each letter corresponds to the verb whose dictionary definition matches the prompt.

Part C: Use in Context

Below are sample sentences. Any original sentence that clearly shows a workplace scenario and uses the specified phrasal verb earns full credit.

1. I’ll follow up with the IT department tomorrow to confirm when the software update will be completed.
2. Could you look into the customer’s billing issue and let me know what you find by end of day?
3. When the new account opened, Maria agreed to take on the client onboarding process next week.

Note for instructors: You may accept other well-formed sentences that demonstrate correct usage and workplace relevance.

Phrasal Verbs Rubric

This rubric evaluates learners’ mastery of workplace phrasal verbs across written and spoken tasks, plus reflection.

Scoring Scale:

• 4 = Excellent
• 3 = Proficient
• 2 = Developing
• 1 = Beginning

Use this rubric to assign scores for each criterion, then total them for a composite out of 16 points.