top of page

7 Common Business English Verbs to Start Using in Your Job

Everyone is familiar with the most common verbs that we use in everyday English, such as "do", "make", "take", and "have". However, this lesson focuses on 7 common verbs used in the business world that English learners are generally less comfortable with. The seven verbs are: reach, gain, earn, show, generate, build, and develop.

Each verb has certain common objects that are often used with the verb, such as "reach a compromise", "show appreciation", and "gain knowledge". A list of these common objects has been included for each verb so that you can start using correct expressions in your English communication.

Reach = to successfully achieve something that was not easy, such as goals, complicated decisions and compromises or agreements during conflicts:

  • reach a goal

  • reach a target

  • reach a milestone

  • reach a decision

  • reach a consensus

  • reach a compromise

  • reach an agreement

Gain = to get more and more of something slowly

  • gain confidence

  • gain experience

  • gain knowledge

  • gain insight

  • gain market share

  • gain customers

Earn = to get something from hard work and effort

  • earn respect

  • earn trust

  • earn rewards/recognition

  • earn admiration

  • earn a good reputation

  • earn a degree

  • earn a promotion

  • earn a raise (higher salary)

Show = to display a feeling towards another person through actions or words

  • show empathy

  • show appreciation

  • show respect

  • show (regret)

  • show effort

  • show interest

Generate = to produce something from work or effort

  • generate sales

  • generate profits

  • generate publicity/buzz

  • generate ideas

  • generate solutions

  • generate awareness



Build = to slowly little by little create something strong

  • build a company

  • build a culture

  • build a brand

  • build a reputation

  • build trust

  • build a team

Develop = to create something by constantly adding more details to it

  • develop a strategy

  • develop a plan

  • develop a product

  • develop a process

  • develop software

  • develop a campaign

If you want to quickly and easily learn 200 common idioms and phrasal verbs for Business English, click on the link below to find out about my book!


Practice

Choose the correct verb to go with each object below:

build/ generate / reach / earn / develop / show / gain

  1. I was able to ________ experience from working for my father's company

  2. We can ________ more sales through advertising.

  3. We'll _______ a good team by selecting the right people.

  4. He was able to _______ respect from his boss by working hard each day.

  5. It's important to ________ a clear strategy before entering a competitive market.

  6. After a lengthy negotiation, we were able to ________ a compromise.

  7. The company never _________ appreciation to its employees for their loyalty.

  8. The purpose of this meeting is to _________ ideas for our staff party.

  9. We were able to _________ insight by listening to experts in the industry during the conference.

  10. The company could ________ its goal of 2,000 new members this year

  11. It took many years for us to ________ this product but it was worth it.

  12. We will _______ a culture at this company that focuses on transparency, trust, and collaboration.

  13. I was able to _______ a promotion for my excellent performance.

  14. We need to ________ a process of handling complaints that resolves problems faster.

  15. Generally people _______ interest in any product or service that will solve a problem and make their life easier.

Answers

  1. I was able to gain experience from working for my father's company

  2. We can generate more sales through advertising.

  3. We'll build a good team by selecting the right people.

  4. He was able to earn respect from his boss by working hard each day.

  5. It's important to develop a clear strategy before entering a competitive market.

  6. After a lengthy negotiation, we were able to reach a compromise.

  7. The company never shows appreciation to its employees for their loyalty.

  8. The purpose of this meeting is to generate ideas for our staff party.

  9. We were able to gain insight by listening to experts in the industry during the conference.

  10. The company could reach its goal of 2,000 new members this year

  11. It took many years for us to develop this product but it was worth it.

  12. We will build a culture at this company that focuses on transparency, trust, and collaboration.

  13. I was able to earn a promotion for my excellent performance.

  14. We need to develop a process of handling complaints that resolves problems faster.

  15. Generally people show interest in any product or service that will solve a problem and make their life easier.

english tutor, english as a second language, english lessons, learn english in a week, learn english fast, english language studies online, how to learn english fast, learning english fast, learn english now, how to learn english now, learn how to speak english, learning to speak english

© Accelerate English. 

english courses, english as a second language, learn english today, english instruction online, learn english fast, learn english today, how do i learn english, how can i learn english today, learning english fast, the english language, english courses

bottom of page