Welcome to Business Collocations and Phrasal Verbs
Hi there! Welcome to one of the most important chapters for your TOEIC preparation. In the Business Vocabulary in Context section, you aren't just learning single words; you are learning how words "hang out" together. This is what we call Collocations and Phrasal Verbs.
Why does this matter for your score? In Reading Part 5 (Incomplete Sentences) and Part 6 (Text Completion), the test often asks you to choose a word that fits perfectly with the word next to it. If you know these "word partners," you can answer in seconds, saving valuable time for the long reading passages in Part 7. Let's dive in!
1. Understanding Business Collocations
A collocation is a pair or group of words that are habitually used together. To a native speaker, they sound "right." To a TOEIC examiner, using them correctly shows you have a high level of professional English.
Common Business Verb Collocations
In the TOEIC exam, you will often see a noun and be asked to pick the correct verb. Picking the wrong one is a common way to lose marks.
• Conduct a survey: To perform or carry out a study.
Example: The marketing team will conduct a survey to find out what customers want.
• Reach a consensus: To come to an agreement after a discussion.
Example: After three hours, the board finally reached a consensus on the new budget.
• Take the initiative: To take action before others do or without being told.
Example: We need a manager who can take the initiative when problems arise.
• Draw up a contract: To prepare or write a formal document.
Example: The legal department is drawing up a contract for the new partnership.
Compare: Weak vs. Improved
Weak: The manager did a speech at the opening ceremony. (Grammatically okay, but sounds unnatural).
Improved: The manager delivered a speech at the opening ceremony. (Professional and high-scoring for TOEIC).
Weak: We need to make a survey of our employees. (Incorrect collocation).
Improved: We need to conduct a survey of our employees. (Correct and earns marks in Part 5).
Quick Tip: The "Make" vs. "Do" Trap
TOEIC often tests "make" vs. "do." Remember: Use make for creating something or making a decision (make a phone call, make a suggestion, make a profit). Use do for tasks and routine work (do business, do research, do a report).
2. Essential Business Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs are a verb + a particle (like up, off, out, in). The meaning of the phrasal verb is usually completely different from the original verb. In Listening Parts 3 and 4, speakers use these constantly.
Top TOEIC Phrasal Verbs
• Call off: To cancel something.
Example: They had to call off the meeting because the director was sick.
• Look into: To investigate or research.
Example: Please look into the cause of the shipping delay.
• Fill in for: To do someone else’s work while they are away.
Example: Sarah will fill in for Mark while he is on vacation.
• Set up: To arrange or organize something (like a meeting or a system).
Example: I will set up a video conference for tomorrow morning.
• Put off: To postpone or delay.
Example: Don't put off filing your taxes until the last minute.
Separable Phrasal Verbs: A Grammar Point
Some phrasal verbs can be "split" by a noun. This is often tested in Part 5.
Correct: We set up the meeting. / We set the meeting up.
Important: If you use a pronoun (it, them, him), it must go in the middle.
Correct: We set it up.
Incorrect: We set up it. (You will lose marks for this in the exam!)
3. Exam Strategy: Spotting the Answer
In the TOEIC Reading test, you are fighting against the clock. You have 75 minutes for 100 questions. You should aim to answer Part 5 questions in under 30 seconds.
The Preposition Clue
If you see a blank followed by a preposition (like on, with, to, for), the answer is likely part of a collocation or phrasal verb.
Example Question:
The CEO decided to ________ on the new expansion plan until next year.
(A) wait
(B) hold off
(C) stop
(D) cancel
How to solve: Look at the word "on." We say "hold off on something." We don't say "wait on" (in this context) or "stop on." The answer is (B). Knowing the "on" partner makes the choice easy!
Did You Know?
The word "run" has over 10 business meanings when combined with different particles! You can run out of supplies (have none left), run by an idea (share an idea for feedback), or run for office (try to get elected).
4. Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Literal Translation: Don't translate from your native language. In some languages, you "make an exam." In English, you take an exam. TOEIC examiners love to include these "false friends" as wrong answer choices.
2. Wrong Particle: Pay close attention to the small word. "Look for" means to search; "Look after" means to take care of. Using the wrong one changes the sentence entirely.
3. Forgetting the Context: In Reading Part 6, read the sentence before and after the blank. If the previous sentence says "we are too busy," and the blank asks about a meeting, the answer is likely put off (delay) or call off (cancel).
5. Summary Checklist
• Master the "High-Frequency" List: Focus on verbs like conduct, reach, take, make, and do.
• Use Prepositions as Anchors: When you see to, with, for, or on, look for the verb that matches it.
• Watch for Pronouns: Remember that "it" goes in the middle of separable phrasal verbs (e.g., Fill it out).
• Think Speed: If you know the collocation, trust your first instinct and move to the next question.
Don't worry if these seem tricky at first! Collocations are like "language habits." The more you read business news or listen to English podcasts, the more these pairs will start to sound natural to you. Keep practicing, and you'll be reaching your target score in no time!