Telephone calls are fun

Could you spell your name please?

Successful Telephoning in English

Calling: saying who you are

Good morning, this is David Wilcox from Bridgestone in Liverpool.
Hello, this is Mike Jenson speaking. Im calling from Berlin in Germany.
Calling: giving the reason for your call
Im calling about
The reason Im calling is
Id like to speak to Ms. Smith, please. (If u are the person the ANSWER is: Speaking.)
Im returning her call.
Could I have your customer service department, please?
Taking a call
Good morning. Jane Brown speaking.
Good afternoon. Morton Banking. How can I help you?
May I ask whos calling, please?
Good Morning, Mr Charlton. What can I do for you?
May I ask what its about? Could you give me your name, please?
Thank you for calling back. Thanks for returning my call. Thanks getting back to me.
Trying to connect the caller
One moment, please. Ill try to connect you to accounts.
Just a moment, please. Ill put you through to Carol Walker.
Problems connecting a call Im sorry, theres no answer.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
Im sorry, the lines engaged (US busy).
Im afraid shes on another line at the moment. Would you like to hold?
One moment, Ill put you on hold.
Would you mind holding?
Would you like to call her back?
Would you like to speak to someone else?
Saying someone isnt there
Im afraid shes not in the office today.
Im afraid hes away on business.
Im sorry, hes in a meeting / conference this morning.
Im sorry, shes on holiday this week.
Im sorry, hes not available just now.
Im sorry, hes stepped out of the office for a moment. Hes expected back at 11.30.
Taking a message
May I take a message?
Can I give him a message?
Does she have your number?
Could I take your number, please?
Could you spell your name please?
Ill make sure he gets the message.
Is it urgent? If its urgent, I can get a message to her at her hotel.
Leaving a message
Id like to leave a message for
Could you give Sally Robertson a message for me, please?
Could you give Sam my best wishes and say that Ill call him next week?
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Could you ask her to call me back, please?

Could I leave a message on her voicemail, please?
I think she has my number, but Ill give it to you just in case.
Voicemail greetings
Hello, this is Jenny Horton. Im sorry, Im not in the office at the moment, but please leave a
message and Ill call you back as soon as possible. Thank you.
Thank you for calling Lloyds. You have called outside our office hours, which are from 8.30 to
5.30, Monday to Friday. However, you can leave a message and we will call you back. Thank
you.
Problems: Getting through to the wrong person
Sorry is that? Im sorry, I was put through to the wrong extension.
Oh, Im sorry, I must have dialed the wrong number.
Problems: Receiving a call that is meant for someone else
Im sorry, you were put through to me by mistake. Ill connect you back to the switchboard.
Im sorry, you must have dialed the wrong number.
Sorry, youve dialed the wrong number/wrong extention.
Problems: Dealing with technical problems
Im sorry, this is a bad line.
The reception isnt very good here.
Ill call you back on a landline.
Im sorry, we were cut off.
Asking someone to speak more clearly
Im sorry, could you speak a little more slowly, please?
Could you speak a bit louder / speak up a bit, please?
Problems: Asking someone to repeat information
Im sorry, I didnt quite catch that.
Im sorry, I didnt gat that.
Could you repeat that, please?
What was that again?
Checking whether your partner has time
Is this a good time to talk?
I wont keep you long.
This should only take about five minutes.
Problems: Saying you are busy
Im sorry, Im a bit snowed under at the moment.
Im sorry, Im on my way to a meeting right now. Could you call back in a few minutes?