TELEPHONE CALL RECEIVING A TELEPHONE CALL

TELEPHONE CALL

RECEIVING A TELEPHONE CALL

ANSWERING • Johnson and Brown. How may/can I help you? • Johnson and Brown, sales department, John Smith speaking. • Sales department. • John Smith. • Hello.

HELPING • • What can I do for you? How can I help you? Who did you want to speak to? Please hold the line. I’ll transfer you. • Would you like to leave a message? • Can I take a message?

GETTING THE CALLER’S NAME • • • Who’s calling, please? Who did you say is calling, please? What was your name again, please? Could you spell that, please? How do you spell that, please?

SOMEONE IS NOT AVAILABLE • I’m afraid he’s not in at the moment. Could you call back later? • I’m afraid he just stepped out. Could you phone back later? • I’m afraid he’s not available at the moment. • I’m afraid he’s on another line at the moment. • I’m afraid he’s out of town. • I’m afraid he’s on a business trip. • I’m afraid he’s on vacation. He’ll be back on Monday. • I’m afraid he won’t be back until next week.

MAKING A TELEPHONE CALL

IDENTIFYING YOURSELF • My name is John Smith. • This is John Smith speaking.

ASKING FOR SOMEONE • • Could I speak to Mr. Brown, please? May I speak to Mr. Brown ? I’d like to speak to Mr. Brown? Could I have Mr. Brown? Mr. Brown, please. Could I have someone in sales, please? Could I talk to someone about … Can I have extension 321?

STATING THE PURPOSE OF YOUR CALL • • • It’s concerning … It concerns … It’s regarding … It’s in regard to … It’s about … I’m calling to ask about … I’m calling to tell you about … I’m phoning to let you know about …

MESSAGE

LEAVING A MESSAGE • • Could you take a message, please? Tell him that … Could you give him a message, please? Ask him to … Could you ask her to call me, please? Just tell him I called, please. Thank you.

TAKING A MESSAGE • • Could (Can, May) I take a message? Would you like to leave a message? Can I give her a message? I'll tell Mr Smith that you called. I'll make sure John gets this asap. Mr Smith will call you [as soon as possible/as soon as he comes to the office].

ARRANGING A TIME

• • • Could we meet some time next week? What would be a good time for you? Would Friday at ten o’clock be okay? How does Tuesday at twelve o’clock sound? Could we meet on Thursday, 25 April, at 4 p. m. at your office? I’m afraid I’m busy on Thursday. How about Friday? What about 3: 00? Does it suit you? Let me see… Friday… Fine. What time? That's good for me. That suits me.

ENDING THE CALL

SIGNALING THE END • • Well, I guess that’s about all. So, that should do it. Okay, if that’s everything, … Well, I guess that’s it.

THANKING SOMEONE FOR THEIR HELP • • • Thank you very much for your help. I appreciate your help. Thank you. You’ve been very helpful. I’m very grateful for your help. Thank you for the information. Thanks. You’ve been a big help. Thanks a lot.

SAYING GOODBYE • • • Thank you for your call. Goodbye. Thank you for calling. Goodbye. I’ll talk to you later. Bye. Thanks a lot. Bye/Goodbye. Bye.

PROBLEMS • • I'm afraid you've got a wrong number. I'm sorry, I don't understand. Could you spell that please? I cannot hear you very well. Could you speak up, please? I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that. Have you got that? Sorry to keep you waiting. I'm just looking for …