Please correct my sentences
Hello all,
I have tried to make sentences (especially for business) using some phrasal verbs.
Could someone correct them or suggest better one?
1. branch out=expand...
branch out, we would use more in the context of trying new ideas. in this sentence, it wouldn't work like this, but here are some examples below:
Boots pharmacy company have branched out into selling cosmetics as well.
I need to branch out and apply for jobs outside of IT.
2. break into=enter
break into has two meanings,
1) break into a house= enter, with force (i.e. burglary!)
2) (in business) break into new markets =enter, with force
We wouldn't use it like in the example to start something per say. It needs the idea that is needs power to break in, or force.
But an example might be
1) The BBC tried to break into the American market by showing British programmes from other channels as well.
3. carry on=continue
Yes- this one is fine-- just a few words different.
Let’s carry on this discussion until the time is up.
4. close down=stop operating
-this is also a great example, i just corrected the sentence
The management decided to close down the plant because strikes were happening on and off the past few years.
5. step down=resign
-another great example. we don't normally use present perfect with dates though (at least in British English-- I think it might be different in American but I'm not sure. Ask one!)
Our general manager stepped down and a replacement has been assigned.
6. take up (something )=occupy
Good example-- we don't normally use agendas in plural, so I would say 'items' in the first instance. We have the phrase 'items on the agenda' as well.
Many items took up the meeting time, so our proposed agenda was not discussed at all.
7. carry out =perform
Yes-all good.
Can you prepare some materials for the presentation and carry it out at the meeting next week?
8. come up=happen
With 'come up', we would only really use it to refer to meetings or things that take time-- they stop you from doing something else. We mainly use it with future continuous tense.
e.g. 1) There is a big conference coming up tomorrow.
In the past, I've only really heard it in this type of phrase-- i.e. 'something came up', we don't normally use it with specific things in the past.
1) I wanted to be there, but something came up.
9. get on=make progress
--yes great! Just a minor correction to make it sound more natural :)
I got many calls from our customers today, so I could not get on with my work very easily.
10. keep up with=follow
Yes- excellent example
We have had a lot to do recently, so we are not keeping up with your task.
Thank you for your patience!
Hope this is useful for you! :)
