A few common expressions are enough for most telephone conversations. Practice these telephone expressions by completing the following dialogues using the words listed below.

Dialogue 1.

Switchboard Conglomerate Group; can I help you?

You Could I _________ _________ Mr Pardee, please?

Switchboard Putting your _________.

Secretary Hello, Mr Pardee’s _________. _________ I help you?

You _________, can you hear me? It’s a _________ line. Could

you _________ up, please?

Secretary IS THAT BETTER? Who’s _________, please?

You (your name) from (your company).

Secretary Oh, hello. How nice to hear from you again. We haven’t

seen you for ages. How are you?

You Fine, thanks. Could you _________ me _________ to Mr

Pardee, please?

Secretary _________ the line a moment. I’ll see if he’s in. I’m so sorry.

I’m afraid he’s not in the _________ at the _________.

Could you give me your _________, and I’ll ask him to

_________ you _________?

You I’m _________ 347 8621. That’s London.

Secretary Would you like to leave any _________ for him?

You No, thanks. Just tell him I _________.

Secretary Certainly. Nice to hear from you again.

You I’ll expect him to ________ me this afternoon, then. Thanks.

Secretary You’re welcome. Goodbye.

on speak to message bad put through number call back ring secretary through office speak speaking can hello rang hold moment through

Dialogue 2.

Mr. Brown Can I leave a message for Natalia Barkova?

Secretary Certainly, Mr.Brown.

Mr. Brown Please, tell her I am arriving in Moscow on 14^th May, and I’d like her

to book me a hotel in the city centre.

Secretary Sorry, I didn’t _________ that. Could you _________ _________

_________, please.

Mr. Brown Oh, I’m sorry. The message is that I am arriving in Moscow on 14^th

May, and I’d like her to book me a hotel in the city centre.

Secretary Right, I’ve got that. How are you getting here?

Mr. Brown By plane, as usual. The flight is BA557.

Secretary Sorry, I _________ that. Could you _________ _________ again,

please?

Mr. Brown BA557. it arrives at 5.30 p.m.

Secretary _________ _________ _________ _________?

Mr. Brown 5.30 p.m. Oh, and one more thing … Could you ask her to send me

the conference program, so that I can prepare for my talk?

Secretary Sorry, Mr Brown, I don’t quite _________ what you mean. Could

you _________ _________ _________, please?

Mr. Brown I’m talking about the university conference where I’m giving a talk

on modern English literature.

Secretary That’s clear now. I’ll give Natalia Barkova the message as soon as she

comes in.

Mr. Brown Thank you very much. Bye.

Secretary Thank you for calling.

be a bit more specific when did you say missed speak more slowly catch say it understand

NOTE If you do not hear or understand the other person, say: I’m sorry? or I’m sorry, I don’t understand, could you repeat that, please? It is not polite to say: Please repeat?

3. DATAFILE: THE TELEPHONE This data file gives you many of the terms and phrases commonly used in making telephone calls.  

The phone book Look up their number in the phone book (or directory). I’ll look up the number in the telephone book. (US) The number is ex-directory. (UK) The number is unlisted. (US) I’ll ring Directory Enquiries for the number. (UK) I’ll call information. (US)  

The line He’s on the other line. Would you like to hold he line? The line is engaged. (UK) The line is busy. (US)

The receiver Can I help you? Putting you through. I’m afraid he’s not available at the moment. (UK) I’m afraid he’s tied up at the moment. (US) You are welcome. Good bye.

The operator Dial 100 for the operator. (UK) Dial 0 for the operator. (US) I’d like to make a reverse charge (or transfer charge) call. (UK) I’d like to make a collect call. (US)

A message pad Can I tell him who called? Can I give her a message? Could I take your number?

4. PUTTING YOU THROUGH

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