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  • Phrases For Telephoning

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    Jurate
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    This document provides common phrases for telephoning in English, including answering the phone, checking availability, passing the call to someone else, giving reasons for calling, suggesting alternative arrangements, apologizing, asking someone to hold, and closing the call. Phrases are given for situations like answering the phone at a business, introducing yourself, checking the caller's availability, signaling you have limited time, making and changing arrangements to meet, apologizing for delays or cancellations, asking the other person to speak up, and polite ways to end a phone call.

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    Phrases for Telephoning

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    This document provides common phrases for telephoning in English, including answering the phone, checking availability, passing the call to someone else, giving reasons for calling, suggesting alternative arrangements, apologizing, asking someone to hold, and closing the call. Phrases are given for situations like answering the phone at a business, introducing yourself, checking the caller's availability, signaling you have limited time, making and changing arrangements to meet, apologizing for delays or cancellations, asking the other person to speak up, and polite ways to end a phone call.

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    15 views2 pages

    Phrases For Telephoning

    Uploaded by

    Jurate
    This document provides common phrases for telephoning in English, including answering the phone, checking availability, passing the call to someone else, giving reasons for calling, suggesting alternative arrangements, apologizing, asking someone to hold, and closing the call. Phrases are given for situations like answering the phone at a business, introducing yourself, checking the caller's availability, signaling you have limited time, making and changing arrangements to meet, apologizing for delays or cancellations, asking the other person to speak up, and polite ways to end a phone call.

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    of 2

    Hi, John speaking..

    Telephoning
    Common phrases for telephoning

    • Answering the phone • Saying who’s calling


    Hello, Roma Pizza, Thomas Speaking. Hello, it’s Mildred Keynes here..
    How can I help you? (formal) Hello, here’s Mildred Keynes,
    Hi, John speaking. This is Mildred from Canadian Syrup..
    Hi, John here. Hi, Mildred here.
    Hey Bill, how are things? (eg when you
    can see who’s calling you)

    • Checking if someone is free to • Signalling you don’t have much


    speak time to speak
    Do you have a minute? I’ve got a meeting/appointment in a few
    minutes - what’s up?
    Have you got a minute?
    I can’t stay long because…
    Is this a good time?
    I’ll have to keep this brief because…
    Are you free to talk?
    Just quickly, …

    • Passing over to someone else • Saying where you are


    Wait just one moment – I’ll put you I’m in the train/on the bus/tram.
    through to Mr Smith. (formal) I’m just nearby/on the way.
    Just a sec, I’ll get him for you. I’m just coming now.

    • Giving the reason for calling • Making arrangements


    I’m calling/phoning about…(the How about we meet up tomorrow?
    meeting) What about Friday at two?
    I’m phoning to (inquire about the How about/what about meeting on
    prices..) Friday?
    I’m just phoning/calling about… I’m going to the café at 4 – do you want to
    I’d like to…(inquire about)… come along?
    The reason I’m calling is… Are you free on Friday?
    Can I just ask/tell you about… When is best for you?
    What’s good for you?
    Let’s go for 12 o’clock.

    Contributed by David Sweetnam


    ©Engage s.r.o.
    For ideas on how to improve your English check out www.getintoenglish.com
    Hi, John speaking.. Telephoning
    • Suggesting an alternative • Accepting a suggestion to meet
    arrangement Sounds good/That sounds fine.
    I’m not sure if I can make it then – what That suits me fine.
    about 2pm tomorrow instead?
    Great, so let’s meet then.
    Well, I have another idea – what
    about/how about…? Great, look forward to it.
    I’d love to (come).

    • Postponing a meeting • Cancelling a meeting


    Could we make that at 3 instead of 1? I’m really sorry, Ondra. I have to cancel
    our meeting.
    Can/could we put the meeting off until
    tomorrow? Something’s come up – sorry, I can’t
    make it.
    Something’s come up – do you mind if
    we meet next week? I know it’s short notice but I have to
    cancel our meeting.

    • Apologising • When you can’t hear the other


    person
    I’m (really/very/terribly) sorry - I’m
    running late. Sorry, could you speak up a little?
    I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it on Sorry the line’s a bit faint, could you
    time. repeat that, please?
    I apologise for …(the late delivery). I can’t hear you properly – could you
    repeat that?
    I’m sorry about that.

    • Asking someone to hold the line • Closing the call


    Just hold on a moment. Ok, so let’s speak more about it when we
    meet on Friday…
    Could you just wait a moment?
    Great, so…(then summarise the call)
    One moment, please.
    So it’s been great chatting/speaking with
    Just bear with me for a moment.
    you..
    Just a sec. (less formal)
    I’d better let you go..
    It’s getting a bit late so…
    So thanks a lot for...
    I’ve got something else on now so…

    Contributed by David Sweetnam


    ©Engage s.r.o.
    For ideas on how to improve your English check out www.getintoenglish.com

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