One of the skills that you should have is the ability to make phone calls in English.
There are formal and informal expressions for all types of conversations.
Informal conversations require knowledge of the language but formal conversations like the ones you make when requesting information require some expressions that convey formality and respect.
This post has some key vocabulary and examples that will help you have phone conversations in English
Table of Contents
Ways to Introduce Yourself on the Telephone
These are some ways to introduce yourself when you are having phone conversations in English
- This is James.
- Hello, James Speaking
- Thanks for Calling Marriott Hotels, My name is Maria, How can I help you?
- This is Jennifer Smith speaking.
- Good morning, Westin Hotels. How may I help you?
How to Ask Who is Calling?
These are some questions to ask who is calling
- Excuse me, who is this?
- May I ask who is calling, please?
- Who am I speaking with?
- I’m sorry, who is this?
- Who do I have the pleasure of speaking with?”
- Before we continue, could you share your name with me?
Asking for Someone
These are some questions to ask someone
- Can I have extension 321?
- I’d like to speak to Elizabeth
- Could I speak to James?
- Is Jack in the office today?
- Is Peter there with you?
- Hello, is Laura There?
- Can I speak to Francis, please?
- Could you put me through Mr. Campos?
- Can I speak to Someone in Human Resources?
Person Needed is not Available
These are some sentences that you can use that the person needed is not available
- I am afraid she isn’t in the office at the moment
- She is in a meeting, would you like to call her back later?
- He is away for a few days, would you like to leave her a message?
- I am afraid, he is out of the office this week.
- You can contact her on her mobile, her number is 6785-9832.
- She is not here, why don’t you try again in a couple of hours?
- She is not in her office, she will be back by 4 o’clock
Requests
These are two expressions to make a request
- I’d like to speak to somebody about…
- Can I have some information about…?
- I need to speak to Mr. Anderson
Wrong Number
Sometimes you have to say that you dialed the wrong number and you have to indicate to a person that he or she did-
- I am sorry I must have the wrong number
- Oh, isn’t this Marriot Hotels?
- Sorry to have bothered you
- I’ve got the wrong number
- I am afraid there is nobody with that name here
- I am so sorry, I must have dialed the wrong number
Expression to use When Leaving a Message
These are some expressions to use when leaving a message
- “Would you like to leave a message?”
- “Can I take a message?”
The message could be as short as this
- “Could you ask her to call me back?”
- “Please ask him to call me back.”
Phone Conversations in English
These are some examples of phone conversations in English
| A | Good morning. Nathan Smith speaking. How can I help you? |
| B | Good morning. This is Mike. I would like to speak to Mr. Brown. |
| A | Oh, sorry. Mr. Brown is not here at the moment |
| B | Can you tell me when he will be in? |
| A | Why don’t you try calling again in a couple of hours? |
| B | Alright, I will call again later then. Thank you. |
| A | You’re welcome. Bye. |
| B | Bye. |
Telephoning in English Books
These resources can help when teaching students to improve their listening skills
- English for Telephoning (Student’s Book): It is the ideal quick course for anyone who needs to make effective telephone calls in a business context. PDF and MP3
- English for Telephoning: It is an interactive CD-ROM and Audio, aimed at working professionals with an intermediate level of English.
- Telephoning in English: Telephoning in English is for professionals and trainees in business, commerce, and administration who need to be able to receive and make telephone calls.
- English for customer care: English for Customer Care is part of the EXPRESS SERIES. It is the ideal quick course for customer care professionals who need to communicate effectively with their customers in English, whether in person, over the phone, or in writing. Book, Audio CD
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Wordwall Exercises
These are two exercises to help you learn more about Phone calls in English
More English Lessons
I hope you have found this post about how to make phone calls in English useful
These are some English lessons that you might find interesting
- How to Give Directions in English
- How to Make, Accept, and Decline Invitations
- How to Talk about Your Last Vacation in English
- Actions in English: Guide & Examples
- How to Describe Graphs and Charts in English
- How to Describe Your Neighborhood in English
- How to Tell the Time in English
