- telephoning
- In the examples in this entry, A is the person answering the phone, and B is the person who is making the phone call.\◊ answering the phoneThere are several ways of answering the telephone when someone phones you. You can just say `Hello', or you can give your telephone number.
A: Hello.
B: Hello. It's me.
A: 76459.
\B: Hello. Is that Carol?
Note that you say each digit of the telephone number. For example, you would say 435 1916 as `four three five one nine one six'. British speakers usually say 0 as `oh'. American speakers usually say `zero'. When a number is repeated, British speakers use the word `double'. For example, they say 4335 as `four double three five'.\If you are at work, you can give the name of your organization or department, or your own name. You can say `Good morning' or `Good afternoon' instead of `Hello'.A: Parkfield Medical Centre.
B: Hello. I'd like to make an appointment to see one of the doctors this morning please.
A: Hello. Tony Parsons speaking.
A: Good morning.
B: Good morning. Who am I speaking to?
\A: Er, my name is Alan Fentiman.
Some people say `Yes?' when answering a phone call, especially one within an organization, but this can sound abrupt and rude.\If you recognize the person's voice when they say `Hello', you can say `Hello' followed by their name.A: Hello.
\A: Hello, Alex, how are you?
If you don't recognize the caller's voice, you can ask who it is. If you are at home, you say `Sorry, who is it?' or `Who is this?' Some people say `Who's that?', but this can sound rude.A: Hello.
B: Hello.
A: Sorry, who is it?
\B: It's me, Terry.
If you think you know who the caller is, you say, for example, `Is that James?' or `That's James, isn't it?'A: Hello.
B: Hello. Can I speak to John?
A: I'm afraid he's just gone out. Is that Sarah?
\B: Yes.
If you are at work, and the caller wants to speak to someone else, you say `Who's calling?' or `Who's speaking?'A: Who's calling?
B: The name is Pearce.
\A: Hold on a minute, please.
If the caller has got through to the wrong number, you say something like `I think you've got the wrong number' or `Sorry, wrong number'.A: Hello.
B: Mrs Clough?
A: No, you've got the wrong number.
\B: I'm sorry.
◊ telephoning someoneWhen you are phoning a friend or relative, you can just say `Hello' when they answer the phone, if you think they will recognize your voice. You can add their name.A: Hello.
B: Hello! I just thought I'd better ring to let you know what time I'll be arriving.
A: Hello.
B: Hello, Alan.
\B: Well, not so good.
Note that after saying `Hello' friends and relatives normally ask each other how they are.\If you need to make it clear who you are when you phone someone, you say `It's' or `This is' and your name.A: Hello.
B: Hello. It's Jenny.
\A: Hello.
You can also say `It's ... here'.A: Hello.
\B: It's Maggie Turner here.
Sometimes you do not need to give your name, for example when you are asking for general information.A: Citizen's Advice Bureau.
\B: Hello. I'd like some advice about a dispute with my neighbours.
If you are not sure who has answered the phone, you say `Who am I speaking to?' or, informally, `Who's that?'A: Hello.
B: Hello. Who am I speaking to, please?
A: Yes?
B: I want to speak to Mr Taylor.
A: I'm afraid Mr Taylor's not in the office right now.
\B: Who's that?
You can check that you have the right person, organization, or number by saying `Is that...?, or by just saying the name or number like a question.A: Hello.
B: Is that Mrs Thompson?
A: Er, yes it is.
B: This is Kaj Mintti from Finland.
A: Hello.
B: Hello? 435 1916?
\A: Yes?
Note that American speakers usually say `Is this...?' instead of `Is that...?'A: Hello.
\B: Hello. Is this the Casa Bianca restaurant? I want to speak with Anna. Anna di Pietro.
◊ asking to speak to someoneIf the person who answers the phone is not the person you want to speak to, you say, for example, `Can I speak to Paul, please?' or `Is Paul there?'A: Hello.
B: Can I speak to Sue, please?
A: Hang on — I'm sorry, but she's not in at the moment.
B: Can I leave a message?
A: Yes.
\B: Would you tell her that Adrian phoned?
If you are making a business call, you say, for example, `Could I speak to Mr Green, please?' or just say the name of the person or department you want, followed by `please'.A: William Foux and Company.
B: Er, good afternoon. Could I speak to Mr Duff, please?
B: No, it's all right. I'll ring later.
A: British Steel Corporation.
B: Data room, please.
\A: I'll put you through.
If the person you are speaking to is in fact the person you want, they sometimes say `Speaking'.A: Personnel.
B: Could I speak to Mr Wilson, please.
\A: Speaking.
◊ ending a phone callWhen you end a phone call, you say `Goodbye' or, informally, `Bye'.A: I'm afraid I can't talk to you now.
B: OK, I'll phone back after lunch.
B: Goodbye.
\A: I'll just check. Yes, it's here.
People sometimes also say `Speak to you soon' or `Thanks for ringing'.\
Useful english dictionary. 2012.
