In this lesson we look at some of the words and expressions that we use for telephoning. There are also some practice sessions and a quiz for you to check your understanding. And remember, practice makes perfect! Ring, ring...
Telephone Language
Here are some
typical phrases that you can use in a telephone conversation.
Answering the
phone
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Introducing
yourself
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*The person answering says this if
the caller does not recognize their voice.
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Asking to
speak with someone
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Connecting
someone
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Making
special requests
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Taking a
message for someone
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Leaving a
message with someone
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Confirming
information
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Listening to
an answering machine
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Leaving a
message on an answering machine
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Finishing a
conversation
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Practice 1: Making an Appointment
Receptionist:
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Thank you for
phoning Maple Dental Clinic. Sylvia How can I help you?
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Thelma:
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Hi Sylvia. Thelma Woods calling. How are you
today?
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Receptionist:
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I'm fine Mrs.
Woods. How are you?
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Thelma:
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Well,
actually, I have a bit of a sore tooth. I was hoping Dr. Morris would have
some time to see me this week.
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Receptionist:
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I'm he's booked this week. I can put
you in for 2pm next Tuesday. How does that sound?
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Thelma:
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That would be
great.
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Receptionist:
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I'll have to
give you the address of our new office.
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Thelma:
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Oh, that's
right, you moved.
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Receptionist:
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Yes, we moved
downtown. Do you have a ?
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Thelma:
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Could you
hold on a please. ...Okay, go ahead Sylvia.
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Receptionist:
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Okay, we are
at 723 Baltic Avenue. Suite 004.
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Thelma:
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spelling that for me?
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Receptionist:
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Sure. That's
seven-twenty-three Baltic--B A as in Alpha, L as in Lima, T as
in tango, I as in India, and C as in Charlie. And it's suite zero zero four.
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Thelma:
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Okay great.
I'll see you on Tuesday then.
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Receptionist:
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Okay. calling. See you then.
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Thelma:
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Thanks. Bye.
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Practice 2: Taking a Message
Leslie:
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Cameron:
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Hi, is this
Leslie?
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Leslie:
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Yes. ?
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Cameron:
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It's Cameron
here. Is Maria ?
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Leslie:
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No, she just out for a moment. Can I take a
message?
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Cameron:
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Yes, thanks. ask her to meet me at the Capitol
4 movie theatre at 7 pm tonight?
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Leslie:
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Sure. Just
let me write that down. Oh Cameron. Could you for a second? I have to take
another call.
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Cameron:
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No problem.
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Leslie:
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Hi. Sorry
about that. Now could you please that information? I didn't have a
pen handy.
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Cameron:
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Sure. It's
the Capitol 4 theatre at 7 o'clock.
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Leslie:
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Okay, I've
got it. Is there anything else?
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Cameron:
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No, that's
great.
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Leslie:
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Okay. Uh-oh,
there's my other line again. I'd better .
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Cameron:
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Okay, thanks
again. Bye for now.
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Leslie:
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Practice 3: Ordering a Pizza
Hostess:
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Pepi's Pizza.
How can I you?
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Customer:
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Hi. I'd like
to order a pizza please.
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Hostess:
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Okay. I'll
have to transfer your call to our take-out department. moment please.
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Recorded
Message:
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Thank you for
calling Pepi's Pizza. All of our operators are busy . Please hold for the next
available person.
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Take-out
Clerk:
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Thank you for
waiting. Naoko . Is this for take-out or
delivery?
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Customer:
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Delivery
please.
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Take-out
Clerk:
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Can I have your
name and address please?
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Customer:
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My name is...
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Take-out
Clerk:
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Sorry, it's
really busy in here. Could you a little please?
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Customer:
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Oh, sure.
This is Angie Smith. My address is number two Front Street.
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Take-out
Clerk:
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Is that an
apartment or a house?
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Customer:
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It's an
apartment. Number seventeen.
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Take-out
Clerk:
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Okay. And
what would you like to order today?
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Customer:
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I'd like a
large pepperoni pizza with mushrooms, olives and extra cheese.
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Take-out
Clerk:
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I'm sorry, my
English isn't . Could you slow down a little
please?
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Customer:
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No problem.
That's a large pizza.
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Take-out
Clerk:
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Large pizza.
Okay.
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Customer:
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And I'd like
it with pepperoni and mushrooms.
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Take-out
Clerk:
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Pepperoni and
mushrooms. Is there anything else?
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Customer:
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Yes, olives
and extra cheese please.
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Take-out
Clerk:
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Okay. I've .
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Customer:
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Great. And
how long will that be?
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Take-out
Clerk:
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It will be
about thirty minutes, Miss Smith.
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Customer:
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And how much
will it cost?
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Take-out
Clerk:
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Um--could you
please while I check with the kitchen?
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Customer:
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Don't worry
about it. I have to go. I have another call . Thank you. Bye for now.
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Take-out
Clerk:
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Okay. Thanks
for calling. Bye.
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Telephone Terms; some terms that we use to talk about
telephoning.
answer
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to say
"hello" into the phone when it rings
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answering
machine
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something
that you can record a message on if the person you are calling isn't home
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busy signal
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a beeping
sound that tells the caller that the other person is already on the phone
with someone else
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call
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a telephone
conversation; to telephone
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caller
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the person
who telephones
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call
back/phone back
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to call
someone who called you first
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call display
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a screen that
shows you who is calling
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cellular
phone/cell phone
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a telephone
that you can take with you away from your house; mobile phone
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cordless
phone
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a phone that
is not attached to the wall (you can walk short distances with it at home or
in the garden)
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dial
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to press the
buttons on the phone
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dial tone
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the sound the
phone makes when you pick it up
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directory/phone
book
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a book that
alphabetically lists local phone numbers of people and businesses
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hang up
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to put the
receiver down and end a call
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operator
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a person who
answers telephone-related questions when you dial "0"
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pager
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a small
machine you wear that makes a noise (or vibrates) when someone wants you to
call them
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phone
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a telephone;
to telephone
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phone
booth/pay phone
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a place where
you can pay to use a telephone in public
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pick up
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to answer the
phone
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receiver
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the piece on
the phone that you speak into and listen from
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ring
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the sound a
phone makes when somebody calls; to make that sound
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ringer
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the
sound-piece that alerts a person that a call is coming through
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