Useful telephone phrases in English Making Contact: Hello/ Good morning/ Good afternoon This is Martin Smith……… Could I speak to……….. I’m trying to contact………… Giving more information: I’m calling fro

Anmelden

Registrieren

Martins English

Professionelle Lehrkraft

Useful telephone phrases in English <article class="flex flex-direction-row flex-align-center flex-justify-content-center">

Making Contact:

Hello/ Good morning/ Good afternoon

This is Martin Smith………

Could I speak to………..

I’m trying to contact…………

Giving more information:

I’m calling from Lloyds Bank London, I’d like to speak to Ms Fallow…..

I’m calling on behalf of Mr Johnson…..

Taking a call:

Martin Smith speaking, (how can I help you?)

Asking for a name or information:

Who’s calling,

Where are you calling from?

Asking the caller to wait:

Could you hold on please.

Hold the line please.

Just a moment.

Connecting:

Thanks for holding, I’ll put you through.

Giving negative information:

I’m afraid the line’s busy

I’m afraid she’s in a meeting/out of the office

I think you’ve got the wrong number

Telephone problems:

I’m sorry, I don’t understand. Could you say that again, please?

I’m sorry, I can’t hear you very well.

Could you speak up a little, please?

I’ve tried to get through several times but it’s always engaged.

Could you spell that, please?

I’m sorry could you speak a little more slowly, please

Taking a message:

Can I take a message?

Would you like to leave a message?

Can I give her a message?

I’ll tell Mr Smith you called.

I’ll ask her to call you as soon as possible

</article>

23. Jan. 2018 10:49

Kommentare · 6

An important point to stress to English learners is that when we call somebody on the phone, we identify ourselves by saying "this is." We do not say "I am".

This can be hard for English learners to understand if their native language is a language that doesn't work the same way.

For example, when I call somebody on the phone, I would say "Hello. This is Anne".

I would not say "Hello. I am Anne."

I would only say "I am Anne" when I am being introduced to somebody for the first time, and I am shaking their hand and saying "I am Anne. Pleased to meet you". On the phone, we don't say it that way.

Likewise, if there is a call for somebody else, I would say to them "there is a phonecall for you" and they would ask me "who is it?"

Note that they have asked me "who is it?" That means that I must use the word "it" in my reply.

So I would reply, for example, "It's your brother." I would not say " He's your brother."

So, to identify yourself on the phone, use the word "this".

To identify a third party calling to speak to somebody else, use the word "it".

23. Januar 2018

I agree with Anne. It is very important for speakers ( and listeners!) to understand that we give our names on the phone by saying 'This is...'.

Here is a phone conversation I had many years ago. Situation: I was at home and I was unwell. I phoned my place of work to explain that I was too ill to come to work. I spoke to the receptionist, who was a proficient non-native speaker of English.

Me: Hello, this is Susan here.

Receptionist: Just a moment, please.

Silence. At this point, I felt confused. Why had she stopped talking to me? Where had she gone? Why didn't she wait to hear what I had to say before she disappeared?

I waited and waited. After several minutes, the receptionist returned.

Receptionist: Sorry. Susan isn't here.

Grrr................ think I. What a waste of time!

It appeared that nobody had told this receptionist that in English we introduce ourselves with the words 'This is ...'. . Nor did she know the difference between 'This' and 'That'. Or 'Here' and 'There'. Or questions and statements. Remember : These little words make all the difference between successful and unsuccessful communication.

23. Januar 2018