The phrases in this section are commonly used in telephone conversations, when calling directory enquiries and when using mobiles.
Making and answering a call
| hello! |
| John speaking |
| it's Maria here |
| could I speak to …, please? |
| Bill |
| speaking! |
| who's calling? |
| could I ask who's calling? |
| where are you calling from? |
| what company are you calling from? |
| how do you spell that? |
| do you know what extension he's on? |
| one moment, please |
| hold the line, please |
| I'll put him on |
| I'll put her on |
| I'm sorry, he's … |
| not available at the moment |
| in a meeting |
| I'm sorry, she's … |
| on another call |
| not in at the moment |
| would you like to leave a message? |
| could you ask him to call me? |
| could you ask her to call me? |
| can I take your number? |
| what's your number? |
| could I take your name and number, please? |
| I'll call back later |
| is it convenient to talk at the moment? |
| can I call you back? |
| please call back later |
| thanks for calling |
| how do I get an outside line? |
| have you got a telephone directory? |
| can I use your phone? |
If you receive an unwanted phone call, you might find the following expressions useful:
| I'm sorry, I'm not interested |
| sorry, I'm busy at the moment |
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➔
Applying for a job |
Writing letters and emails
➔ |
Problems
| I can't get a dialling tone |
| the line's engaged |
| I can't get through at the moment |
| I'm only getting an answering machine |
| sorry, you must have the wrong number |
| can you hear me OK? |
| I can't hear you very well |
| it's a bad line |
| could you please repeat that? |
| I've been cut off |
Directory enquiries
| do you know the number for …? |
| directory enquiries |
| international directory enquiries |
| could you tell me the number for …? |
| the National Gallery |
| do you know the address? |
| I'm afraid that number's ex-directory |
| could you tell me the dialing code for …? |
| Manchester |
Mobile phones
| my battery's about to run out |
| I need to charge up my phone |
| I'm about to run out of credit |
| sorry, I ran out of credit |
| I can't get a signal |
| I've got a very weak signal |
| I'll send you a text |
| I'll text you later |
| could I borrow your phone, please? |
| I'd like a phonecard, please |
Sample answerphone message
| Thank you for calling. |
| There's no-one here to take your call at the moment. |
| Please leave a message after the tone, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. |
| English phrase guide | |
|---|---|
| Page 60 of 61 | |
|
➔
Applying for a job |
Writing letters and emails
➔ |
Sound is available for all the English phrases on this page — simply click on any phrase to hear it.
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