Practice
Telephone English: clear calls
Sign in to savePhone calls move quickly. A few prepared phrases can give you time to say who you are, explain why you are calling, and check that you understood the important detail.
Handle a routine English phone call by opening the call, stating a reason, checking important details, and closing politely.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
Could you repeat the order number more slowly, please? /kʊd juː rɪˈpiːt ði ˈɔːdə ˈnʌmbə mɔː ˈsləʊli pliːz/
The short answer
Open with your name, say why you are calling, use direct questions to check details, and finish by confirming the next step.
Hello, this is Marta from Green Street Pharmacy. I'm calling about Thursday's delivery.
Why it works: The caller gives a name and a clear reason for the call in two short sentences.
5 more examples
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Hello, this is Omar from Northside Repairs.
This is a natural way to give your name at the start of a call.
Not this:Hello,
Omar speakingfrom Northside Repairs. What changes: This shorter version also identifies the caller and the organization. -
Could I speak to Ms. Patel, please?
Use this polite question when you want to talk to a particular person.
Not this:Is Ms. Patel
available at the moment? What changes: This asks whether the person can take the call now. -
I'm calling about the appointment on Friday.
This phrase tells the listener the topic early in the call.
Not this:I'm
calling to confirmthe appointment on Friday. What changes: This version gives the purpose more specifically. -
Could you say the address again, please?
Ask for repetition when you did not hear a detail clearly.
Not this:Could you
spell the street name, please? What changes: Ask for spelling when letters are more useful than another repetition. -
So the technician will arrive between two and three.
Repeat the agreed time to check that both people understood it.
Not this:I'll
send the details by emailthis afternoon. What changes: This confirms the next action after the call.
Read the full guide
Before a call, write down the name, number, date, or question you need. During the call, listen for the answer and repeat it back when it matters. You do not need long formal sentences. A calm, clear question is easier for both people to follow.
Open with your name
Start by greeting the listener and saying who you are. Add your workplace or organization when the person may not know you. Keep this part short so the listener can recognize the call quickly.
Hello, this is Dina from City Library.
This opening gives the listener the caller's name and where she is calling from.
Say why you are calling
After you introduce yourself, name the topic. I'm calling about ... works for an existing booking, order, message, or problem. I'm calling to ... works when you want to state an action, such as confirm, ask, or arrange.
I'm calling to ask about the training course next month.
The caller states the action, ask, and the topic, the training course.
Choose the clearer opening for a call about an order: I'm calling about the order or I have a call?
I'm calling about the order is clear because it tells the listener the topic.
Ask for a person or information
Use Could I speak to ...? when you need another person. Use Could you tell me ...? when you need information. These questions are polite and direct. Give the name or detail after the question, so the listener knows what to find.
Could you tell me when the office opens?
The question asks for one specific piece of information, the opening time.
Could I speak to the person who handles invoices, please?
The caller does not know a name, so the job description identifies the right person.
Repair a listening problem
Say something as soon as you miss an important word. You can ask for repetition, slower speech, or spelling. If the signal is poor, explain the problem and suggest a simple next step, such as calling again or sending an email.
I'm sorry, I didn't catch the last number. Could you repeat it slowly?
The caller says what was missed and asks for the number in a useful way.
The line is very unclear. Could I call you back in ten minutes?
The caller describes the sound problem and offers a time for another call.
Confirm the next step before you finish
End a routine call by checking the detail that matters most. Repeat a day, time, address, or agreed action. Then use a simple closing such as Thank you for your help. Goodbye. This gives both people the same record of the plan.
Just to confirm, you will email the estimate by Monday.
Just to confirm tells the listener that you are checking an agreement, not starting a new request.
What can you say after you agree on a visit time?
You can repeat the time and say Thank you. Goodbye.
Before you go
Remember this
Start with a name and a purpose. Ask clear questions, and ask again when a detail is unclear. Before you end the call, repeat the important information or agree on the next step.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Telephone English: clear calls"
How do I start a phone call in English?
Begin with a greeting and your name. Add your organization when it helps the listener identify you. Then say the topic of the call, especially when you are calling about a booking, order, or appointment.
Hello, this is Omar from Northside Repairs.
How can I ask to speak to someone politely?
Use a question such as Could I speak to Ms. Patel, please? If you do not know the name, ask for the person who handles a task, such as invoices or bookings. Keep the request short and say please when it fits your usual style.
Hello, Omar speaking from Northside Repairs.
What should I say if I cannot hear a phone call clearly?
Say which detail you missed and ask for help. You can ask the person to repeat it, speak more slowly, or spell a name. If the signal is poor, explain that the line is unclear and suggest another call or an email.
Could I speak to Ms. Patel, please?
How do I check a date or time on the phone?
Repeat the detail in a full sentence and wait for confirmation. You might say, So the appointment is on Friday at two o'clock. This gives the other person a chance to correct a mistake before the call ends.
Is Ms. Patel available at the moment?
How do I end a business phone call politely?
Confirm the next action first, such as an email, visit, or return call. Then thank the person and say goodbye. A short closing is enough when both people understand what will happen next.
I'm calling about the appointment on Friday.