Telephone conversation in English. We answer the call. What not to do

Ring-ring! The article is dedicated to those who want to learn how to talk on the phone in English beautifully and competently. We will mainly talk about work processes. Using our phrases for telephone conversations in English, you will learn how to correctly greet your interlocutor or respond to a greeting, find out who called and ask to leave a message, make an appointment or leave an important message for a partner, and much more. Enjoy reading!

The most important rule when talking on the phone is not to be afraid of difficulties. If you did not understand something during a conversation, let your interlocutor know about it:

My English isn't very strong. Could you speak slower, please?
I'm not very good at English. Could you speak more slowly, please?

Don't be shy, people will meet you halfway. And don’t forget about politeness, try to use “ could" instead of " can" , and " please" And " thank you you».

How to greet someone you're talking to

Any conversation, as you know, begins with a greeting or introduction:

Hello.
Hello.
This is Nick Carter calling.
Nick Carter is worried.
Nick Carter here.
This is Nick Carter.
It's Nick Carter from "Green House" here.
This is Nick Carter from Green House.

After introducing yourself, don't forget to ask an important question:

Is it convenient for you to talk at the moment?
Are you comfortable talking now?

If, suddenly, your interlocutor is busy, immediately clarify whether it is possible to call back and what time would be the most suitable:

Can I call you back?
Can I call you back?
Could you tell me the best time to call you back?
Please tell me when is the best time to call you back?

How to answer a greeting on the phone

Let's imagine the opposite situation: they called you and introduced themselves. How to answer correctly?

Start with the standard “Good morning / afternoon / evening”, then you can use the following phrases:

It's "Green House". How may I help you?
This is the Green House company. How can I help you?
"Green House", Nick Carter speaking. How may I be of help?
"Green House", Nick Carter on the phone. How can I help you?
"Green House", Nick Carter speaking. Is there anything I can do for you?
"Green House", Nick Carter on the phone. Can I help you?

Or this situation: you are very busy at the moment and cannot talk.

Sorry, I'm busy at the moment.
I'm sorry, I'm busy right now.

And don’t forget to politely ask the other person to call you back later.

Could you call back a bit later, please?
Could you call back a little later?

What if the person has the wrong number? In this case, use one of these phrases:

What number are you calling?
What number are you calling?
Sorry, you must have the wrong number.
Sorry, you must have the wrong number.
Sorry, you’ve got the wrong number.
I'm sorry, you have the wrong number.
You must have misdialed.
You must have dialed the wrong number.

How to clarify caller information

If the interlocutor does not introduce himself, be sure to clarify who is calling you and for what purpose. In such a situation, the following phrases will help you:

Who is calling, please?
Please, introduce yourself.
May I ask who's calling?
May I ask who is calling?
Can I have your name, please?
May I know your name please?
Where are you calling from?
Where are you calling from?
Could you tell me what it's about?
Could you tell me the purpose of the call?
Could you please tell me the purpose of the call?
Who do you want to speak to?
Who would you like to talk to?
What company are you calling from?
Which company are you calling from?

How to ask to be connected to the right person

You call a company and the answer is not the one you want. Ask a staff member to connect you with the right person. Use these phrases:

Can I speak to Ann?
Can I talk to Anna?
Can I get to Ann, please?

May I speak to Ann, please?
Can I speak to Anna please?
Could I speak to Ann, please?
Can I speak to Anna please?
Could you put me through to Ann, please?
Could you connect me to Anna please?
Is Ann there, please?
Tell me, please, is Anna there?

How to ask to wait to connect with the right person

The opposite situation: you pick up the phone and realize that the caller wants to talk not with you, but with another employee. Ask the other person to wait a little. The following phrases will help you with this:

Hold the line, please.
Please stay on the line.
One moment please.
One minute please.
I"ll put you through to him/her.
I will connect you with him/her.
Please hold and I"ll put you through to his office.
Please wait and I will connect you to his office.
One moment, please. I'll see if Ann's available.
One minute please. I'll see if Anna can answer the phone.

What to do if there is a bad connection

You are calling, but the other party cannot hear you - there is interference on the line. Don’t be upset, these phrases will help you out (or won’t help you out, because the connection is bad):

Can you hear me?
You hear me?
I can't hear you.
I can not hear you.
It's a bad line. I can barely hear you!
Bad connection. I can barely hear you!
Could you please speak up a little?
Could you speak a little louder please?
Could you speak a bit louder, please?
Could you speak a little louder please?
Sorry, I didn't get that.
I'm sorry, I did not catch you.
Could you please repeat that?
Could you repeat that?
Come again?
Repeat?
Could you say it again, please?
Sorry, I didn't understand what you said. Could you repeat it please?
You said his name was Alex, right?
You said his name is Alex, right?
Let me repeat that just to make sure.
Let me repeat to make sure I understand everything correctly.
Could you please call me back? I assume we have a bad connection.
Could you please call me back? I think we're having communication problems.

How to make an appointment by phone

Do you call a person to make an appointment, but don't know how to do it? Then the following phrase templates are for you. They sound polite and will help you negotiate with your co-worker.

I'd like to arrange an appointment.
I would like to make an appointment.
When is it convenient for you?
When is it convenient for you?
Would next Monday be okay?
Is next Monday convenient for you?
I can make it after six.
I can meet you after six o'clock.
Shall we say, 6:30 next Monday, at the "Green House" office?
So at 6:30 on Monday at the Green House office?

How to politely interrupt someone on the phone

You're on the phone and suddenly a question comes up during the conversation and you need to interrupt the other person to clarify the information. You can do this politely using the following phrases:

Wait a minute, please. What about...?
Wait a minute! And what's about...?
Would you mind if I just say something here?
Would you mind if I say something now?
Hold on a second. May I add something here, please?
Wait a second. Can I add something please?

How to ask someone to tell you that you called

Have you called your foreign partners, but the person you need is not there? Ask to inform him about your call and do not forget to leave your contact information.

Could you please tell her Nick Carter from "Green House" called?
Could you please tell her that Nick Carter from Green House called?
Tell her I will call tomorrow, please.
Please tell her that I will call you tomorrow.
Please, tell her Nick Carter telephoned and I’ll call again at half past six.
Please tell her Nick Carter called. I'll call you back at 18:30.
Could you ask her to call me back?
Could you ask her to call me back?
She can reach me at 777-5555.
She can reach me at 777-5555.

How to take a message for someone

You received a call and asked to pass the phone to a colleague, but he is not there. You need to politely inform them that the person is unable to answer the phone and offer to leave a message.

I"ll let him know you called.
I'll tell him you called.
What is your number?
What's your phone number?
Would you like to leave a message?
Would you like to leave a message?
I"m sorry, Nick"s not in at the moment. Can I ask who's calling?
Unfortunately, Nick is not there. May I know who is calling?
He's busy right now. Could you please call back later?
He's busy at the moment. Could you call back later?
I’m sorry, he’s on another call at the moment.
Unfortunately, he is now speaking on a different line.

How to leave a message on an answering machine

You called, but no one answers your call. The answering machine has gone off and you need to leave a message.

Hello, this is Nick Carter calling for Ann. Could you please call me back as soon as possible? My number is 777-5555. Thank you.
Hello, this is Nick Carter, I need Anna. Please call me back as soon as you can. My number is 777-5555. Thank you.

What message should you record for your answering machine?

Take the time to record a message for your answering machine. This will help you not to miss important calls. The text might look like this.

Thank you for calling. There’s no one here to take your call at the moment. Please, leave your message after the signal, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you.
Thank you for calling. There is no one near the phone to answer your call. Please leave a message after the beep and I will call you back as soon as I can.

Hello, this is Nick Carter. I"m sorry I"m not available to take your call at this time. Please, leave a message and I"ll get back to you as soon as I can. Hello, this is Nick Carter. I'm sorry, but I can't answer your call right now. Please leave me a message and I will call you back as soon as I can.

Yes? ...Ha-ha! Just kidding, this is voicemail. Leave a message if you got something to say. If you ain"t got something to say, then don"t leave anything. Bye!
Yes? ...Haha! Just kidding, it's an answering machine. Leave a message if you have something to say. If you have nothing to say, then leave nothing. Bye!

Farewell by phone

You have successfully talked on the phone, and now it’s time to end the conversation. How to do this correctly? To do this you will need the following phrases:

It's been nice talking to you.
It was nice talking with you.
I hope I"ve been informative.
I hope I was able to help you.
Have a nice day.
All the best.
Thanks for calling. Goodbye.
Thank you for calling. Goodbye.
Goodbye, Ann.
Goodbye, Anna.

We recommend using our simulator to reinforce words on the topic “Telephone conversation”

Example of a telephone conversation in English (with translation)

Now let's look at a couple of examples of telephone conversations on English language.

Secretary: Good morning, "Best Motors" Company. How can I help you?
Jack: Hello, this is Jack Wharton speaking. Could I speak to Nick Stanley, please?
Secretary: Oh, I'm afraid Mr. Stanley isn't here at the moment. Would you like to leave a message?
Jack: Certainly. Would you, please, ask him to call me back? I need to talk to him urgently!
Secretary: Yes, of course. Thank you for your call.
Jack: Thanks, bye.
Secretary: Good bye.

Receptionist A: "Cassat" Company. Can I help you?
Patrick: Yes, I would like to speak to Mr. Green, please.
Receptionist 1: Do you have an extension for him?
Patrick: No, I don't, but I know he is in the delivery department.
Receptionist 1: Hold on, please. I"ll ring that department.
Patrick: Thank you.
Receptionist B: Delivery department, Miss Elliot.
Patrick: Mr. Green, please.
Receptionist B: Mr. Green is on the other line at the moment. May I know who"s calling to let him know?
Patrick: This is Patrick Brown. Mrs. Priesley suggested that I call him.
Receptionist B: Will you hold on or would you like to leave a message?
Patrick: I"ll hold on, thank you.
Mr. Green: Mr. Green speaking. How can I help you?
Patrick: Yes, my name is Patrick Brown. A mutual friend of ours, Susan Priesley, referred me to you. I am interested in changing careers, and she thought you would be a valuable source of information for me.
Mr. Green: Mrs. Priesley, of course. How can I help you?
Patrick: I would like very much to come up and speak with you. Would you be willing to give me a few minutes of your time?
Mr. Green: Well, my schedule is a little tight. When would you like to meet?
Patrick: Whenever it is convenient for you.
Mr. Green: Well, can you make it after five o’clock some day next week?
Patrick: Yes, absolutely.
Mr. Green: Fine, then how about 5:15, Wednesday, my office?
Patrick: Next Wednesday at 5:15 then. Thank you very much, Mr. Green.
Mr. Green: You're welcome. Hold on, my secretary will give you directions.
Patrick: Thank you. See you on Wednesday!

Conclusion

So, if you practice these phrases, then during a telephone conversation in English they will be remembered instantly. Great idea— practice with one of your colleagues or friends: call each other, and let at least part of the telephone dialogue be in English. Go for it!

Big and friendly EnglishDom family

Business conversation on the phone in English is one of the most complex tasks which employees of international companies have to perform. The point here is both the language barrier and the fear of not understanding the interlocutor. Therefore, we will tell you what phrases can be used in a telephone conversation in English in different cases, and we will give general advice on how to communicate correctly over the phone with native speakers in order to understand everything and be understood.

We have written a simple phrasebook for travelers, in which you will find dialogues, phrases and vocabulary on 25 essential topics. Go on a journey with the main character and improve your English. You can download the book for free at.

Useful phrases for talking on the phone

Greetings

The theater begins with a hanger, and a telephone conversation in English begins with a greeting. In addition to the usual Good morning/afternoon/evening, you need to introduce yourself. According to the rules of etiquette, you need to immediately tell your interlocutor who is bothering him. At the same time, it is advisable to name not only your full name, but also the company you represent.

Welcome phrases in English on the phone:

And after the person greets you, be sure to ask a simple but very important question:

If the person is busy, immediately clarify when you can talk to him. Take into account the following phrases:

It may also happen that you dial the wrong number. In this case, you can use the following phrases:

How to respond to a greeting

Now let’s imagine the opposite situation - they called you and introduced themselves. How to answer your interlocutor correctly?

First, be sure to say hello with the usual words Good morning/afternoon/evening, then, depending on your position and the specifics of cooperation with foreign partners and clients, you can use the following phrases when talking on the phone in English:

Are you busy at the moment? Politely ask the person to call you back later.

The person has the wrong number? Let him know about this using one of the following phrases.

There are situations when a person has the wrong number, but his call is unpleasant to you, for example, if he intrusively offers you unnecessary goods or services. How to politely answer an unwanted call?

How to clarify caller information

Let's imagine that they called you, but did not introduce themselves. In this case, you need to avoid pauses in the conversation and immediately clarify who is calling and for what purpose. In this situation, use the following phrases:

How to ask to be connected to the right person

You call the company, but end up with a secretary or the general telephone number of a large department. In this case, you need to ask the employee to call the person you need on the phone. You can also ask to be connected to the internal telephone number of a specific employee. Use these phrases:

How to ask to wait to connect with the right person

And again the opposite situation - they call your company, and you understand that the interlocutor needs another employee. In this case, you need to ask the person not to hang up and wait for the connection. When speaking on the phone in English, depending on the specifics of your activity, the following phrases are used:

What to do if the connection is bad

Interference on the line is the main phobia of any person who needs to conduct a conversation on the phone in English. However, do not be discouraged, a few simple phrases will help you cope with this situation. These phrases will help you out if technical problems arise:

Sometimes it’s not a bad connection, but a call on the other line prevents you from talking. If a call on the second line is more important than a call on the first, you can apologize to the interlocutor and ask him to put himself in your position. Use these phrases:

How to make an appointment

If you are calling a person to set up a meeting with them, use the phrase templates below. They sound polite and will help you quickly reach an agreement with your interlocutor. Use the following phrases to make an appointment:

How to politely interrupt someone

When having a telephone conversation with a foreign partner or client, it is better not to interrupt the interlocutor, but there are times when this is necessary. You can do this politely using the following phrases:

And you will find even more similar phrases in the article “How to skillfully interrupt your interlocutor? Dealing with interruptions."

How to ask someone to tell you that you called

Have you called your foreign partners, but the person you need is not there? Ask to inform him about your call and do not forget to leave your contact information. You can politely ask for a call in the following ways:

If you would rather call the person back yourself, say the following:

How to take a message for someone

You received a call and asked to pass the phone to a colleague, but he was not there or he was busy? In this case, you need to politely inform that the person cannot answer the phone and offer to leave a message. At the same time, do not forget to specify the name of the caller, as well as his contact phone number. Learn these phrases:

You can also ask the other person to call you back later using these phrases for talking on the phone in English:

How to leave a message on an answering machine

If you only get through to the answering machine, do not rush to hang up. Leave a message so that the person can call you back as soon as they are free. You can leave a simple message like this:

What message should you record for your answering machine?

Do not neglect the answering machine function in your own phone, because this option will allow you not to miss a single important call. Take 5 minutes and write down a simple text for the caller. The text might look like this.

Parting

Have you successfully talked on the phone and resolved all your issues? Then the time has come to say goodbye, and this must also be done correctly: without sentimentality and politely. You can say goodbye to your interlocutor like this:

To see and hear what a telephone conversation in English looks like in practice, we recommend watching the following video:

Successful conversation on the phone in English: general tips

1. Write a conversation plan in advance

If you are going to call your partner or client abroad, your task is simplified, because you can think in advance about what you will talk about, what words and phrases to use. Don't be lazy to write on paper short plan your conversation, in this way you will kill not even two, but three birds with one stone: study the phrases while writing them, draw up the most accurate and complete conversation plan and save yourself nerves, because during the conversation you will know what and when to say.

2. Try rehearsing the dialogue

To sound confident, try speaking the dialogue several times in front of a mirror or on the phone with a friend. This will help you remember phrases faster, and you won’t have to refer to your plan during a conversation.

And if you're learning a language online, try studying with your teacher without a camera. This will be a complete simulation of a telephone conversation. Try acting out a dialogue with your teacher using your plan. If you practice this way at least a few times, then when communicating on the phone it will be easier for you to understand the person on the other end of the line.

3. Don't worry

Anxiety affects understanding in the same way as poor communication: if you listen to the interference (or the inner voice that says you won’t understand anything), it will interfere with you, and if you don’t pay attention to it, you will be able to understand the interlocutor . The more relaxed you are about speaking on the phone in English, the easier it will be for both you and the person on the other end of the line.

4. Maintain a formal communication style

The formal style of communication differs from the usual conversational style. We communicate with business partners politely, avoiding slang, word abbreviations, etc. You can read more about the features of the formal style of English.

5. Be as polite as possible.

The concept of “politeness” in our country and abroad is quite different. Pay attention to the phrase templates we have proposed: almost every one of them contains the construction “Could you please”, every sentence contains the word “please”. Moreover, when translated into Russian, the word “please” does not even always logically fit into the phrase. To us this sounds like obsessive politeness. In English sentences, you must use words like “please” and “thank you”, otherwise you may seem rude to your interlocutor.

6. Keep an electronic dictionary handy

Are you unable to understand some word that plays an important role in your partner's speech? Ask your partner to spell the word and look up its meaning in a dictionary. It is impossible to learn all the words in the English dictionary, so your partner will react normally to the request to repeat the word. So before every business conversation on the phone in English, turn on your computer and open one of the electronic dictionaries.

7. Ask to repeat what you didn’t understand

Remember, even when we have a telephone conversation in Russian, sometimes we do not understand the interlocutor or cannot hear some words due to bad connection. In this case, without a shadow of embarrassment, we ask the interlocutor to repeat what was said. What prevents us from doing the same when talking on the phone in English? Your partner or client understands that you are speaking a foreign language, so they will calmly respond to the request to repeat a phrase.

8. Develop your listening skills

The more often you listen to foreign speech, the faster you will get used to it and begin to understand (if you also study grammar and new words). Therefore, listen to podcasts and audiobooks, watch videos and news in English. You can test your listening comprehension of the language and at the same time listen to samples of telephone dialogues in English on the Simple English website. Select one of the dialogues, turn on the audio recording and try to insert the missing words into the exercise under dictation. And also read our articles “” and “”.

9. Work on your pronunciation and intonation

Take care not only of yourself, but also of your interlocutor. Try to speak clearly, take your time, pronounce words and sounds correctly. Fluent speech is good in normal conversation, but not in dialogue on the phone with business partners. It would be ideal if you try to adapt to the pace of speech of your interlocutor, in which case you will be “on the same wavelength” with him. If you know that your pronunciation is not yet perfect and you may not be understood, speak at an average pace. A measured pace of speech will allow your interlocutor to understand you and give your words a confident sound. Be sure to read the article "". Watch your intonation: speak confidently, but in a calm, friendly tone.

10. Learn useful phrases for communication

The phrases that we presented in the article are excellent “blanks” for your speech. It is best to learn them by heart, so that when you call you do not have to choose words, but speak in patterns that are already familiar to you.

11. Read examples of dialogues in English on the phone

To see how the phrases you've learned work in natural conversation, study examples of telephone conversations, for example, on the official BBC website. On the pages of the resource you will see several examples of telephone dialogues on various topics and take a test on your knowledge of “telephone” vocabulary.

12. Learn professional vocabulary

To leave a positive impression of yourself after a conversation, study not only the phrases we present, but also the professional vocabulary of your field of activity. Understanding between you and your interlocutor will arise when you speak the same language both literally and figuratively.

Full list of phrases for download

We have compiled a document for you that will make it easier for you to conduct a dialogue over the phone. You can download it from the link below.

(*.pdf, 292 Kb)

Now you know how to successfully conduct a telephone conversation in English. Practice listening, learn the phrases we suggest in English for dialogue on the phone and improve your pronunciation, then the interlocutor will understand you, and you will understand him. We wish you successful telephone conversations!

And if you want to thoroughly study business English with a competent teacher, we suggest studying in. Our teachers will help you master the business style of communicating in English, teach you to understand the speech of your interlocutor and speak so that you are understood.

It's no secret that the telephone has long become an integral part of our Everyday life. Effective business communication over the phone has its own characteristics and secrets, which should not be forgotten. Our article is for those who strive for successful business communication with native English speakers via telephone.

“There is no such thing as a good call at 7 AM. It"s been my experience that all calls between the hours of 11 PM and 9 AM are disaster calls.”

“There’s no such thing as a good call at 7 a.m. In my experience, all calls between 11:00 and 9:00 are distress calls."

~ Janet Evanovich

Basic rules for business communication over the phone

Telephone conversations are more difficult than live ones in that the interlocutor is not visible, it is impossible to track his non-verbal reaction, which is often much more frank than words.

Before you begin a business conversation in English, you need to develop certain general telephone communication skills.

Preparing to speak English on the phone

Before making a call, you need cope with your internal tension. First of all, try to focus on the upcoming conversation and relax. After all, the interlocutor does not see you and, hearing the tension in your voice, he may form an erroneous opinion about you. A man may seem more stubborn and stubborn, while a woman may seem unbalanced and unpredictable, and such people in business are very difficult to deal with.

Important!

Try to overcome your fear of the microphone. To do this, you can introduce your interlocutor. It's very good if you know what it looks like. After all, it is much easier to have a conversation with a living person than with a soulless telephone receiver.

Take the call initiative into your own hands. This will give you many advantages. Firstly, you will be able to conduct the conversation in a direction that is beneficial to your company. And secondly, it will be much easier for you to adjust psychologically, since you will have the opportunity to prepare for the upcoming call, think it over, and arrange it in a logical chain.

Consider the timing of your call carefully. It is better not to call about important issues in the morning and at the end of the working day; it is also not recommended to try to resolve important issues before the weekend or on holidays. Before you call, make a conversation plan. Write down the main issues that need to be discussed.

How to behave while talking on the phone

Always speak briefly without departing from main topic conversation– save your time and the time of your interlocutor. Business partners will definitely appreciate this. The rules for talking on the phone with clients suggest that effective negotiations take 3-4 minutes.

When preparing for a telephone conversation in English, write down the phrases you want to use, and also keep an online translator on hand - this will give you more self-confidence. Keep a small notebook or notebook for business conversations in English. A business person will not use scraps of paper or calendar sheets for this.

Important!

When communicating on the phone, 55% of information is lost, as there is no body language and gestures. 38% of information is remembered through intonation and only 7% of information is conveyed by words.

Practice your phone conversation several times Bring the use of phrases in English to automaticity and you are guaranteed success. The peculiarity of the phone is that it enhances speech impediments. You need to carefully monitor your diction and pronunciation. Recording and listening to your telephone conversations will help you improve your negotiation techniques.

How to start a telephone conversation in English?

It is the greeting stage that can be the key to a successful outcome of the entire conversation. It is very important to set the mood of the conversation and give it an emotional coloring. It is important to immediately show the interlocutor that he is dealing with a business person.

Welcome phrases in English on the phone

How to ask to connect with the right person

How to clarify information about your interlocutor in English

Phrases for solving problems during a telephone conversation

Examples of videos of telephone conversations

In this video you can see and hear how to answer correctly phone calls in English.

Always remember business phone etiquette. Never break his rules. In the next article we will talk about how to leave and receive messages from your interlocutor when speaking in English.

Let's summarize:

• Before you call, you need to outline a clear conversation plan and cope with physical and psychological stress.
• During a conversation, you need to follow the rules of telephone etiquette.
• To have a successful conversation in English, you need to learn the most common phrases and prepare the questions you want to ask. Don't forget to rehearse your upcoming phone conversation.
• After the telephone conversation, be sure to analyze your mistakes so as not to repeat them again.

In contact with

Communicating in English on the phone can be quite difficult. When talking to a person live, you see the person’s gestures and facial expressions, which helps you understand what he said. In addition, gestures help to express your own thoughts. However, business English for telephone communication is needed if your work involves cooperation with foreign partners. Today we will look at useful phrases for communicating in English on the phone in a business environment.

How to say hello on the phone in English

• Hello! - Hello!
• This is Peter Sidorov calling. — Pyotr Sidorov is calling you.
• Peter Sidorov here. - This is Pyotr Sidorov.
• It’s Peter Sidorov from Fistashka Company here. — This is Pyotr Sidorov from the Pistachio company.

After we have introduced ourselves, we politely ask the interlocutor if he can talk on the phone now:

• Is it convenient |kənˈviːnɪənt| for you to talk at the moment? — Are you comfortable talking at the moment?

If your interlocutor is suddenly busy, you can ask when it would be convenient for him to give you time using the following phrases:

• Can I call you back? - Can I call you back?
• Could you tell me the best time to call you back, please? — Tell me, please, when is the best time to call you back?

We answer the greeting

Let's say it's not you who is calling, but you. A person dialed a number, you answered the call, they greeted you, how to respond to a greeting:

• It's Fistashka Company. How can I help you? — This is the Pistachio company. How can I help?
• Fistashka, Peter Sidorov speaking. How may I be of help? — Pistachio, Pyotr Sidorov is on the phone. How can I help you?
• Fistashka, Peter Sidorov speaking. Is there anything I can do for you? — — Pistachio, Peter Sidorov is on the phone. How can I help you?

If you don't feel comfortable speaking, you can say:

• Sorry, I'm busy at the moment. - Sorry, I'm busy right now.
• Could you call back a bit later, please? — Could you call me back a little later, please?

If the caller has the wrong number:

• What number are you calling? — What number are you calling?

If a person says your number when asked, then someone probably gave him the wrong number, or he wrote it down incorrectly. Then we can say the following:

• Sorry, you must have the wrong number. / Sorry, you’ve got the wrong number.- Sorry, you must have been given the wrong number / you have the number written down incorrectly.
• You must have misdialed. — You must have dialed the number incorrectly.

We clarify information about the interlocutor

There are people who believe that their interlocutor has psychic abilities and can easily guess who is calling them, even if he hears the voice for the first time. These phrases will help you find out who is calling:

• Who is calling, please? - Please, introduce yourself.
• May I ask who's calling? — May I ask who is calling?
• Can I have your name, please? - May I know your name?
• What company are you calling from? — Which company are you calling from?
• Could you tell me what it's about? — Could you tell me what issue you are calling about?
• Who do you want to speak to? - Who would you like to talk to?

Please connect with the right person

If the phone is answered by a secretary, or not by the employee you need, you can use the following phrases:

• Can I speak to Sam? -Can I talk to Sam?
• Can I get to Sam, please? -Can I contact Sam?
• Could you put me through to Sam, please? - Could you connect me to Sam?
• Is Sam there, please? — Tell me, please, is Sam there?

Please wait to connect with the right person:

• Hold the line, please. - Please stay on the line.
• One moment please. - One minute please.
• I'll put you through to him/her. -I will connect you with him/her.
• One moment, please. I'll see if Sam's available. - One minute please. I'll see if Sam can answer the phone.

Please let us know that you called:

If the person you need is out of office or busy when you call, you can ask that you call as follows:

• Could you please tell him Peter Sidorov from Fistashka called? - Could you please tell him that Pyotr Sidorov from Pistachio called?
• Tell him I will call tomorrow, please. - Please tell him that I will call tomorrow.
• Please, tell him Peter Sidorov telephoned and I’ll call again at five. - Please tell him that Pyotr Sidorov called, and I will call him back at five...
• Could you ask him to call me back, please? - Could you ask him to call me back?
• He can reach me at 333-333-333. — She can contact me at the number:

What to say if you didn't hear something

Sometimes we may simply not hear what the interlocutor said, and sometimes the connection can be very poor. Let's see what can be said in this case:

• Can you hear me? - You hear me?
• I can't hear you. - I can not hear you.
• It's a bad line. I can barely |ˈbɛːli| hear you! - Bad connection. I can barely hear you!
• Could you please speak up a little? — Could you speak a little louder, please?
• Could you speak a bit slower, please? — Could you speak a little slower, please?
• Could you speak a bit louder, please? — Could you speak a little louder, please?
• Sorry, I didn't get that. - I'm sorry, I did not catch you.
• Could you please repeat |rɪˈpiːt| that? - Could you repeat that?
• Come again? - Repeat?
• Could you say it again, please? - Sorry, I didn’t understand what you said. Could you repeat it please?
• You said his name was Alex, right? “You said his name is Alex, right?”
• Let me repeat that just to make sure. - Let me repeat to make sure I understand everything correctly.
• Could you please call me back? I assume we have a bad connection. |kəˈnɛkʃ(ə)n| - Could you call me back? I think we're having communication problems.

How to interrupt someone without looking like a boor

• There are situations when you need to politely interrupt someone. To do this, we use the following phrases:
• Wait a minute, please. What about…? - Wait a minute, please. What about… ?
• Would you mind if I just say something here? - Do you mind if I say something?
• Hold on a second. May I add something here, please? - Just a second. Can I add something please?

Saying goodbye:

• It's been nice talking to you. — It was nice talking with you.
• I hope I've been informative. - I hope I could be useful to you
• Have a nice day. - Have a good day.
• Thanks for calling. Goodbye. - Thank you for calling. Goodbye.
• Goodbye, Sam. - Goodbye, Sam.

Now you know the basics of business English. At least how to communicate on the phone at work. We hope you found useful phrases and expressions for yourself. Save the article for yourself, and use it as a cheat sheet when you need to call someone.