Some phrases that will help you

We need to learn to speak correctly on the phone, especially when we work in any area or profession that require this skill.

Before we see the terms required for a call, it is important to remember that as we often do not know who is on the other end of the line (except for calls between friends and family), we need to use neutral or formal language when answering and speaking. . So prefer “could” instead of “can” when asking if the person can wait or when they want to ask to speak to a specific person. There are more expressions to sound “polite” - take a look!

Now, look up expressions and words used on the phone in English:

Calling someone.
- Hello. May I speak to…? (Hello. Can I talk to…?)
- Hello, this is Vanessa calling. May I speak to…? (Hello, this is Vanessa speaking. Can I talk to…?)
- Hello, this is Jessica. Is Walter in? (Hello, this is Jessica. Is Walter?)
- Good morning, is this Vanessa? (Good morning, is it Vanessa?)

Answering a call
- Hello, this is Bruno. Who's speaking? (Hello, this is Bruno. Who is this?)
- Bruno speaking. (Bruno speaking.)
- Hello, English Live, John speaking. How can I help you? (Hello, English Live, John speaking. How can I help you?)
- Mrs. Smith is on another line. Would you like to hold? (Mrs. Smith is on another call. Would you like to wait?)

Transferring a call
- One minute, please. I'll transfer you now. (One minute, please. I'll transfer you now.)
- I'll put you through. (I will transfer.)
- Let me see if Mrs. Smith is available. (Let me check if Mrs. Smith is available.)
- One moment, please. I'll transfer you. (One moment please. You transfer it.)

Leaving and taking a note
- Could you tell him Peter called? (Can you let him know Peter called?)
- Could you ask her to call me back, please? (Can you ask her to return me, please?)
- Could you send him a message, please? (Could you give him a message, please?)
- Mrs. Dukes is not available now. Can I take a message? (Mrs. Dukes is not available now. Can I take a note?)
- He is not in his office right now. Would you like to leave a message? (He's not in the office right now. Would you like to leave a message?)

Asking to clarify
- Could you speak a little louder, please? (Would you speak louder, please?)
- Could you repeat that slower, please? (Could you repeat this slower please?)
- I'm sorry, I didn't quite get that. Can you repeat, please? (Sorry, I didn't understand. Can you repeat, please?)

Explaining the reason for the call
- Hi, I'm calling for the tickets… (Hi, I'm calling to find out about tickets…)
- Hi, could you help me with some information? I would like to know about… (Hi, could you help me with some info? I would like to know about…)

Other useful phrases
- I'll call again this afternoon. (I'll call again in the afternoon.)
- I'll hold. (I'll wait in line.)
- I'm afraid you got the wrong number. (Sorry, you called the wrong number.)
- Which number did you dial? (Which number did you dial?)

Ready to speak on the phone in English?

Guffey, M.E., Lowey., & Griffin, E. (2109). Business communication: process & product 6th Canadian brief edition. Toronto, Ontario: Nelson.

Murphy, R., & Smalzer, W. R. (2009). Grammar in use: intermediate. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.