Telephoning
Answering a phone
People answering a private phone either say Hello or give their name. People answering a business phone most often give their name.
- ‘Hello.’
- ‘Albert Packard.’
Asking for a person
- Could I speak to Megan Horrabin? (AmE also Could I speak with …?)
Saying who you are
-
Hello, this is Corinne. (not usually
… I’m Corinne.) -
‘Could I speak to Megan Horrabin?’ ‘Speaking.’ or ‘This is Megan Horrabin (speaking).’
Asking who somebody is
-
Who is that? (AmE Who is this?)
-
Who am I speaking to?
-
Who is that speaking?
-
Who’s calling, please?
Asking for a number
- Can/Could I have extension two oh four six?
- What’s the dialling code / area code for Bristol?
- What’s the country code for Portugal?
- How do I get an outside line?
If you want the other person to pay for the call
- I’d like to make a reversed (or transferred) charge call to 0449 437878. (AmE I’d like to make a collect call …)
If somebody is not there
- I’m afraid she’s not in at the moment.
- Can I take a message?
- Can I leave a message?
- Please leave your message after the tone.
- I’ll ring/call again later. (AmE I’ll call …)
- Could you ask her to ring/call me back?
- Could you ask her to ring/call me at/on 637022?
- Could you just tell her Jake called?
Asking people to wait
- Just a moment.
- Hold on a moment, please.
- Hold the line, please.
- May I put you on hold?
- I’ll just put you on hold.
- Hang on. (informal)
Things a switchboard operator may say
- One moment, please.
- (I’m) trying to connect you.
- (The number’s) ringing for you.
- (I’m) putting you through now.
- I’m afraid the number/line is engaged (BrE) / busy (AmE). Will you hold?
- I’m afraid there’s no reply from this number / from her extension.
Wrong number
- I think you’ve got the wrong number.
- I’m sorry. I’ve got the wrong number.
Problems
- Could you speak louder? It’s a bad line (BrE) / bad connection.
- You’re breaking up.
- I’ll call again.
- I was/got cut off.
- I rang/called you earlier but I couldn’t get through.