On the phone
Calls are harder than face-to-face. Here is the language that helps.
10 minutes · A free lesson from Everyday conversation
Phone language
Starting
- Hello, this is Bilal calling from…
- I'm calling about…
- Could I speak to…, please?
Checking
- Sorry, could you say that again?
- Could you spell that for me?
- Just to confirm, that's Tuesday at three?
Ending
- Thanks for your help.
- I'll wait to hear from you.
- Have a good day.
Lesson quiz
Check what you have learned. Choose an answer to see whether it is right, and why.
Quick check: What should you do with names, numbers and times on the phone?
- Leave them for later
- Guess them
- Repeat them back
Show the answer
C: Repeat them back — So that's Tuesday the 14th at 3.30? It is normal in English, and it prevents most misunderstandings.
Quick check: Which phrase opens a call?
- “Who are you?”
- “Hello, this is Bilal calling from…”
- “Have a good day.”
Show the answer
B: “Hello, this is Bilal calling from…” — Then say why you are calling: I'm calling about…
Quick check: You did not catch a surname. What do you say?
- “Could you spell that for me?”
- “What?”
- “Never mind.”
Show the answer
A: “Could you spell that for me?” — Sorry, could you say that again? works for anything you missed.