This document provides information about telephone terms and common telephone language. It lists terms associated with telephones like dial tone, caller ID, and receiver. It also gives examples of phrases used for answering the phone, introducing oneself, asking to speak to someone, taking a message, connecting a call, and confirming information. Sample language is provided for common telephone situations like asking someone to wait, leaving a message, or finishing a conversation.

2. TELEPHONE TERMS
• ANSWER • DIAL TONE
• ANSWERING MACHINE • DIAL
• BUSY SIGNAL • DIRECTORY / PHONE BOOK
• CALL • HANG UP
• CALLER • PHONE
• CALL BACK / PHONE BACK • PHONE BOOTH / PAY PHONE
• CALL DISPLAY • PICK UP
• CELLULAR PHONE / CELL PHONE • RECEIVER
• CORDLESS PHONE • RING

3. TELEPHONE LANGUAGE
• ANSWERING THE PHONE
• INTRODUCING YOURSELF (THE CALLER)
• ASKING TO SPEAK WITH SOMEONE
• GIVING DETAIL OF A CALL
• TAKING A MESSAGE FOR SOMEONE
• LEAVING A MESSAGE WITH SOMEONE
• ASKING SOMEONE TO WAIT
• CONNECTING SOMEONE
• PROBLEMS
• MISTAKES
• CONFIRMING INFORMATION
• FINISHING A CONVERSATION

4. ANSWERING THE PHONE
• HELLO (INFORMAL)
• GOOD MORNING (FORMAL)
• (YOUR NAME) SPEAKING. HOW MAY I HELP YOU?
• (COMPANY’S NAME). HOW CAN I HELP YOU?

5. INTRODUCING YOURSELF (CALLER)
• HI. IT’S (YOUR NAME).
• GOOD MORNING. THIS IS (YOUR NAME) CALLING.

6. ASKING TO SPEAK WITH
SOMEONE
• IS SARA IN? (INFORMAL)
• IS MR. TORRES THERE, PLEASE?
• CAN I TALK TO MR. TORRES, PLEASE?
• I’D LIKE TO SPEAK WITH MR. TORRES,
PLEASE.

7. GIVING DETAIL OF A CALL
• I’M CALLING ABOUT (…)
• I’M CALLING TO CONFIRM THE MEETING TOMORROW.
• IT’S ABOUT THE JOB ADVERTISING

8. TAKING A MESSAGE FOR
SOMEONE
• WOULD YOU LIKE TO LEAVE A MESSAGE?
• WHO’S CALLING, PLEASE?
• MAY I TAKE A MESSAGE?

9. LEAVING A MESSAGE
WITH SOMEONE
• CAN YOU TELL HER / HIM THAT (YOUR
NAME) CALLED?
• NO. THAT’S OK. I’LL CALL BACK LATER.
• THANKS. COULD YOU ASK HER / HIM TO
CALL (YOUR NAME) WHEN HE / SHE GETS
IN?
• MY NUMBER IS 345-3232

10. ASKING SOMEONE TO
WAIT
• JUST A SECOND, PLEASE.
• HANG ON A SECOND (INFORMAL)
• PLEASE HOLD THE LINE.
• ONE MOMENT PLEASE.

11. CONNECTING SOMEONE
• I’LL PUT YOU THROUGH
• I’M SORRY BUT HE / SHE IS NOT AVAILABLE AT
THE MOMENT.
• I’M SORRY BUT HE / SHE IS NOT IN HIS / HER
OFFICE.
• SHE / HE IS IN A MEETING RIGHT NOW.

12. PROBLEMS
• I’M SORRY SHE / HE IS NOT HERE AT THE
MOMENT.

13. MISTAKES
• I’M SORRY, BUT I THINK YOU HAVE THE WRONG
NUMBER.
• I’M AFRAID THERE IS NO ONE HERE WITH THAT
NAME.
• ARE YOU SURE YOU GOT THE RIGHT NUMBER?

14. CONFIRMING INFORMATION
• OK, I’VE GOT THAT.
• WOULD YOU LIKE TO REPEAT THAT FOR ME
PLEASE.
• LET ME REPEAT THAT BACK TO YOU JUST TO
MAKE SURE.
• DID YOU SAY TOM OR JOHN?

15. FINISHING THE
CONVERSATION
• WELL. I’LL TALK TO YOU SOON.
• SORRY BUT I HAVE ANOTHER CALL COMING
THROUGH.
• OK, THANK YOU FOR CALLING.

16. LET’S GET SOME PRACTICE