Vocabulary for making telephone calls in English.
Social talk on the phone
If you know the person, or have spoken before, it's normal to chat for a few seconds before saying why you are calling.
You: "Hello, this is (Tom McIvor) speaking." or "Hello, this is (Tom McIvor)."
You might also want to add your company name: "This is (Tom McIvor) from (McIvor Worldwide)."
The other person: "Hello, how are you?"
You: "Fine, thanks. And you?"
The other person: "Very well, thanks."
or "Not bad."
or "Can't complain."
or "A bit busy" etc.
You: "Oh good."
or "Oh right."
or "Glad to hear that."
If someone asks you how you are, respond (positively!) and return the question. This social talk can be extended. You could ask about a project you know the person is working on, or a mutual friend, or the person's family.
You: "Hello, this is (Tom McIvor). How are you?"
Other person: "Fine, and yourself?"
You: "Fine, thanks. How's the restructuring going?"
Other person: "Well, we're pretty busy, as you can imagine."
You: "Yes, I can! Anyway, I'm calling about…"
To introduce the subject of your call, you can use words such as 'anyway', or 'well', or 'right'.
Remember, if you haven't spoken to the person before, or don't know them, then social talk is inappropriate – get straight to the reason for your call.
Calling someone you don't know
Perhaps a colleague has asked you to call someone. You don't know the person, so you should introduce yourself and mention your colleague's name.
You: "Hello, this is (Sarah Brown) calling, from (McIvor Worldwide)."
Other person: "Hello, what can I do for you?"
or "Hello, how can I help you?"
You: "I'm calling on behalf of (Tom McIvor)…"
or "(Tom McIvor) suggested that I call you."
or "(Tom McIvor) asked me to call you."
Remember…
* try to speak clearly and don't be afraid to speak more slowly than normal.
* think about what you want to say before calling.
* don't be afraid to ask your caller to repeat themselves if you don't understand. You can say, "I'm sorry, could you repeat that please?" or "Sorry, I didn't quite catch that."
What to say when there's a problem
When you can't hear someone
"I'm sorry, could you speak up, please?"
"I'm sorry, I can't hear you very well."
"I'm sorry, the line's bad – could you repeat what you just said?"
When you don't understand what someone says
"I'm sorry, I didn't get that. Could you say it again, please?"
"I'm afraid I don't follow you. Could you repeat it, please?"
"I'm sorry, I'm not sure I understand. Would you mind explaining it again, please?"
When you want to correct what the other person has said
"Actually, it's 16, not 60." (Stress the two words where there is confusion – in this example the 16 and the 60.)
"I'm sorry, but I think there's been a misunderstanding. The payment's due next week, not next month."
"I'm sorry, but that's not quite right.." (When you refer back to what someone has just said. You then go on to say what IS right.)
Checking that you understand something
"So if I understand you correctly…"
"When you say… do you mean…?"
45 comments on “Telephoning in English (2)”
While having a conversation in phone if i didn't understand any point in the middle of the conversation, how can i interrupt the person on the other end?I mean with what phrase?
Thanks,
Kumar
You can say:
"I'm sorry, can you repeat what you said about…"
"Sorry, I didn't catch what you said about…"
what is the meaning of "Glad to hear that"
It means that the person is pleased or happy to hear what you have just said:
I'm much better now.
Glad to hear that.
can i say My name is Xhuli . I want to speak with
Gudrun please or only
This is Xhuli speaking
I'm Xhuli / This is Xhuli speaking.
Can / Could / May I speak with Gudrun please?
what would i say when a person call me with wrong number?
"I'm sorry, but you've got the wrong number." You could also add:
"There's no one here by that name."
Very helpful. I' m always embarrassed when I call several of my co-workers from America, especially at the end of the conversation, for I don't know what to say. I would be very appreciated if you give some tips.
You could try these phrases:
Well, it was nice talking to you.
Thanks for your help (if you asked someone to help you)
Well, thanks for your time. I appreciate it.
when the caller want to meet another person, but he not near here. How cant i say to caller?
"One moment please. I'll get XX for you."
how should i introduce myself
Hello, this is Faisal speaking. Can I speak to XX please?
what's the difference between on behalf of and in behalf of? can i say i'm calling in behalf of mr. smith?
No. Only "on behalf of" is correct.
I want to tell the other person ,i called her many times but she didn't answer,how can i say it?
jojo » "I've been trying to get hold of you."
Is it acceptable to use "Can I talk to XX please?" instead of "Can I speak to XX please?"?
Nikolay » Yes, it is!
Hi Clare, If some one say "nice meeting you" what should be the reply? I know one reply that is "same here"…any other phrases…?
Khanna » They're unlikely to say it on the telephone – it's more a phrase to use when you meet someone in person.
If someone says "nice meeting you" or "nice to meet you", you can reply "Me too", or "Nice to meet you too".
IF THE OTHER PERSON SPEAKS VERY VERY FAST, CAN Y SAY "HOLD IT!" OR "PLEASE SLOW DOWN", BECAUSE FROM MY POINT OF VIEW THE FIRST ONE IS VERY VULGAR…
THATS ALL, THANK YOU!
nahara » "Please slow down" is polite, but "hold it" sounds like an order and isn't very polite.
hi,i want make an appointment on the phone to see a doctor what i should say?
"I'd like to make an appointment to see the doctor."
"I'd like to make a doctor's appointment."
Is there any difference between "Could you repeat it again, please?" and "Could you please repeat it again?"
Yes. The first is a simple request for repetition, while the second makes you sound exasperated or insistent. When you 're asking someone to do something for you, put the please at the end of the request to make it sound polite and friendly.
May I know one's identity by saying "May I know who's calling?"
Another quiery, is it correct to say "Hold on a moment. I will pass you over to Mr. X."
The first is completely correct. I wouldn't say "pass you over to" in the second, but "put you through to" or "pass you to…"
hello how i can built up my confidence in commuincation or speaking
sometimes i stuck what to say ,and how to express etc
Thanks a lot
khhot
Hi clare whats the difference between " speak " and " talk".
In terms of telephoning, you speak to someone, but you're talking on the phone. We speak a language, but talk to a person.
Thanks a lot clare. Have a good day.
If I want to make sure that I have got the right number can I say:
"Hello, is this Mr. X?", or
"Hello, am I talking to Mr. X?"
What do you suggest?
Thanks.
Yes, both your sentences are fine.
if we dont want to talk someone on phone..what should say?
Can I call you back later?
if i cant hear to other person,
"Sorry,I cant get u" Is it right?
I'm sorry, but I didn't hear you.
I didn't get what you were saying.
If i want to confirm the other person's information, what should I say?
which is corrent to say I am afraid he/she is not in the office at the moment or currently he/she is not in
may i know what is all about or may i know the purpose of calling. which one sound more politely?
what is the right way of reporting or passing a msg to someone who was not available when somebody rung?
Either the first, or "I'm afraid he's not in at the moment / currently / right now."
So-and-so rang / called while you're out.
I've got a message for you from X.
X called for you.
May I know what it's about?
May I know the purpose of your call?
Both are polite, but the second is more formal.
Can I just confirm the / your details…
I was on the phone (it was an informal call) and the conversation went like this. At some point I was asked for my name and I said: "I'm Jenny." The person on the other end then replied with "I'm xyz" It was then a pause in our conversation and I got the feeling the person was waiting for me to say anything. But I did not exactly know what to say so I said nothing at all. But I got really nervous and did not know what to do. Now I wonder if this was correct? I mean, should I better had said" Nice to meet you" Or nice meeting you" as I would certainly have said when I meet someone face- to-face? When it comes to introducing myself, even if it's on the phone I would like to be as polite as possible and I really got the feeling the person was expecting me to say something like "Nice to meet you" But is this even appropricate on the phone? Or is it not neccassary to reply with "Nice to meet you" or anything when the person tells me their name over the phone? I sometimes find it a bit difficult to make phone calls in English because I don't really know the appropriate "social rules" in conversations. If you could help me with this, I would be so grateful. Thank you so much.
Was it you making the call? If so, perhaps the person was waiting for you to say why you were calling.
If the other person called you, asked for your name, then gave his / her name, then it's up to them to say why they're calliing you.
On the phone, I wouldn't say "Nice to meet you". Once both parties know who the other person is, then it's time to say why you're calling.
I'm calling about…
I'm calling you because…
I'm just calling to ask / invite / say
Yes, I realíze now, they were certainly waiting for me to say why I called them. Yes, it was me making the call. I really hope I did not offend them at all because I did not tell them the reason for my call at first. After reading your reply and reading through this topic again, I realize that I must have made a mistake. Thank you for clearing this up. Those phrases you gave me like "I'm calling about…" are most helpful and I'm going to use them at my next phone call. Thank you so much for your help.
P.S. I won't also use "Nice to meet you" on the telephone then.
Don't worry – I'm sure they weren't offended!
Thank you, I'm relieved to hear that. Now I feel reassured again.
