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Telephoning
1 IDENTIFYING YOURSELF
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My name is John Smith.
*
This is John Smith .
*
This is John Smith speaking.
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*
Don't use
the phrase "I am" with your name on the phone. You can when talking face-to-face
with someone, but it just doesn't sound right on the telephone. You can say "I am a
friend of …" or "I am the manager of ..." and so on,
but not "I am John Smith."
2 ASKING FOR SOMEONE
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Could I speak to
Mr. Brown, please?
May I speak to
Mr. Brown
?
I’d like to speak to
Mr. Brown?
Could I have
Mr. Brown?
Mr. Brown, please.
Could I have someone in sales, please?
Could I talk to someone about …
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3 STATING THE PURPOSE OF YOUR CALL
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It’s concerning
…
It concerns …
It’s regarding …
It’s in regard to …
It’s about …
I’m calling about …
I’m calling to ask about …
I’m calling to tell you about …
I’m phoning to let you know about …
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4 LEAVING A MESSAGE
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Could you take a message,
please? Tell him that …
Could you give him a message, please? Tell him that …
Could you ask her to call me, please?
Just tell him I called, please. Thank you.
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5 THANKING SOMEONE FOR THEIR HELP
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Thank you very much for your
help.
I appreciate your help.
Thank you. You’ve been very helpful.
I’m very grateful for your help.
Thank you for the information.
Thanks. You’ve been a big help.
Thanks a lot.
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6
SIGNALING THE END
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Well, I guess that’s
about all.
So, that should do it.
Okay, if that’s everything, …
Well, I guess that’s it.
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7 ENDING THE CALL
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Thanks a lot. Goodbye.
I’ll talk to you later. Goodbye.
Goodbye.
Bye.
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RECEIVING
A TELEPHONE CALL: |
8 ANSWERING
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Johnson and
Brown, sales department, John Smith speaking.
Sales department.
John Smith.
Smith.
Hello.
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Any of the
above methods of answering the phone (company, department, full
name, last name only, "Hello", ...) are common in business.
The deciding factor may be personal preference or company
policy.
When
answering the phone at home, most Americans just say,
"Hello."
9 GETTING THE RIGHT PERSON
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Who did you want to speak to?
... Oh,
speaking.
I’m afraid you have the wrong extension.
I’ll transfer you. Please hold the line.
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10 GETTING THE CALLER’S NAME
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Who’s calling,
please?
Who did you say is calling, please?
What was your name again, please?
Could you spell that, please?
How do you spell that, please?
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11 SOMEONE IS NOT AVAILABLE
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I’m sorry, but
*
he’s not in at the moment. Could you call back later?
I’m sorry, but
*
he just stepped out. Could you
phone back later?
I’m sorry, but
*
he’s not available at the moment.
I’m sorry, but
*
he’s on another line at the
moment.
I’m afraid
*
he’s out of town.
I’m afraid
*
he’s on a business trip.
I’m afraid
*
he’s on vacation. He’ll be back on
Monday.
I’m afraid
*
he won’t be back until next week.
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* These "softeners" are
used whenever negative information must be given.
12 HELPING
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What can I do for you?
How can I help you?
Would you like to leave a message?
Can I take a message?
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13 ARRANGING A TIME
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Could we meet some time
next week?
What would be a good time for you?
Would Friday at ten o’clock be okay?
How does Tuesday at twelve o’clock sound?
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14 SAYING GOODBYE
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Thank you for your call.
Goodbye.
Thank you for calling. Goodbye.
I’ll talk to you later. Bye.
Thanks a lot. Bye.
Goodbye.
Thank you for calling. Goodbye.
I’ll talk to you later. Bye.
Thanks a lot. Bye.
Goodbye.
Thank you for calling. Goodbye.
I’ll talk to you later. Bye.
Thanks a lot. Bye.
Goodbye.
Thank you for calling. Goodbye.
I’ll talk to you later. Bye.
Thanks a lot. Bye.
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