Aubrey Carter
"3 Keys IELTS Certified Coach"
Lindsay McMahon
"The English Adventurer"

Verbing does not happen only in Silicon Valley!

Native English speakers often change a noun into a verb to save time.

In today’s episode, you will learn how to modernize your business English.

This way you can sound native and natural!

Verbing and Creating a Connection

Lindsay asks Aubrey if she is summering anywhere.

Aubrey answers that she will spend the summer in Idaho.

She shares that she doesn’t use the term summering to describe going on a summer vacation.

  • Summering: implies you own a second residence which you use as a vacation house

Lindsay adds that the term summering sounds a bit snobby.

She just had a conversation with some of her friends regarding this term because it shows wealth.

Aubrey then shares another term, wintering, which is also considered snobby.

  • wintering: implies you have a second home where you spend the winter

Lindsay advises avoiding words like this so you don’t make the wrong impression.

Using the wrong phrases when communicating will hinder you from making the connections you want.

What is Verbing?

Summering and wintering are examples of verbing.

Verbing is a good skill for you to have and is often used in business English.

Native English speakers often do this, and Lindsay and Aubrey will show you how to do it properly.

In today’s episode, you learn real language used in the office.

Verbing is another term for denominalization.

This is the act of converting a noun into a verb.

If there is no existing verb or multiple words are required, you can turn the nearest noun into a verb.

Following are some examples to understand how to verb.

You will often hear these examples being used around the office.

#1: Table

We take the noun table and use it as a verb.

You’d often hear this in a meeting when you want to put something on hold.

To save time, you can use this, instead of saying “let’s save it for later.”

Example:

Let’s table this.

#2: Calendar

This means to put a meeting date on a calendar.

It is more direct to use the term “to calendar.”

It saves time which is extremely value for everyone at work.

Example:

Can we calendar some dates for a meeting next week?

#3: Action

This means to take action right away.

Use this instead of saying, “Let’s do something about this now.”

Instead, say, “Let’s action this.”

Example:

How about we action that now rather than waiting until next week?

#4: Workshop

This means to work together to figure something out.

When used as a verb, this doesn’t mean starting a workshop.

It means to huddle and collaborate with each other to formulate a plan.

We would not use this to describe one person working on something.

It is always used for a group.

Example:

Our team will workshop this plan and we’ll get back to you.

#5: Task

To be tasked with something means you are assigned a task.

It is much quicker to say than, “I’m going to assign you a task.”

Example:

I was tasked with lowering costs.

Roleplay

Lindsay and Aubrey share a roleplay using the terms shared in today’s episode.

This will help you better understand how to properly use them.

In this scenario, Lindsay and Aubrey are co-workers and they are in a business meeting.

Lindsay: Let’s table that issue for now.

Aubrey: Okay, let’s calendar our next appointment.

Lindsay: Yup, can do. But first we need to action these first few items.

Aubrey: Okay, we may need to workshop the best way to do that.

Lindsay: Good point. I’m going to task you with creating a team to head that up.

Takeaway

The phrases and terms mentioned by Lindsay and Aubrey are native and natural.

You can use them to modernize your business English.

Be sure to consider your company’s culture to be certain they accept this type of communication.

This is a bit informal and less traditional and may not be for everyone.

You have to be careful when and to whom you use this.

If your workplace is modern and uses verbing, go ahead and use these terms.

Verbing will make you sound more natural and more like a native English speaker.

You will be able to create better connections with your colleagues.

It also saves a lot of time to be verbing rather than using the typical phrases.

Have you heard verbing in your workplace?

Share it in the comments below and let’s share verbing vocabulary.

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