English for Telephoning

1. What’s a polite way to introduce yourself when calling?

• “Yo, it's me.”

• “Hi, this is James Wilson calling.”

• “Guess who?”

• “Who's this?”

2. What phrase would you use to ask to speak to someone?

• “Can I speak?”

• “I want to talk now.”

• “Could I speak to Mark Wilson, please?”

• “Give me Mark.”

3. When answering the phone, how might you identify yourself?

• “Yes?”

• “Hello?”

• “James Wilson speaking.”

• “Wrong number.”

4. What’s a good way to respond to a caller asking a question?

• “You’ll have to ask someone else.”

• “Sure, what’s your question?”

• “That’s none of my business.”

• "Why are you asking me?”

5. What do you say before transferring a caller?

• “Just wait.”

• “Let me hang up first.”

• “Hold your horses.”

• “Could you please hold while I transfer you?”

6. What phrase would you use to find out the purpose of a call?

• “Why are you calling me?”

• “Could I ask what it’s about?”

• “Do you even know why you're calling?”

• “What’s your issue?”

7. What should you say if someone’s line is busy?

• “I’m afraid her line’s busy. Does she have your number?”

• “They’re ignoring you.”

• “Try again later.”

• “She's always busy.”

8. How can you politely offer to take a message?

• “Should I take a note?”

• “Want me to write it?”

• “Can I take a message?”

• “Tell me fast.”

9. What’s a professional way to reschedule an appointment?

• “Let’s just cancel.”

• “We’ll move it around.”

• “Is it possible to reschedule our appointment?”

• “I don’t want to come.”

10. Which sentence politely communicates that you might be late?

• “Wait for me.”

• “I’m sorry, I might be a few minutes late.”

• “You’ll have to deal with it.”

• “I don’t know what time I’ll arrive.”