BUSINESS ENGLISH - TELEPHONE speaking tips

Useful telephone vocabulary and phrases in English

Making contact

• Hello/Good morning/Good afternoon ..


• This is John Brown speaking.


• Could I speak to .......... please?


• I'd like to speak to .......... please.


• I'm trying to contact ..........

Giving more information

• I'm calling from Tokyo/Paris/New York/Sydney


• I'm calling on behalf of (Mr. X ...)

Taking a call

• X speaking


• Can I help you?

Asking for a name/information

• Who's calling please?


• Who's speaking?


• Where are you calling from?


• Are you sure you have the right number/name?

Asking the caller to wait

• Hold the line please


• Could you hold on please


• Just a moment please

Connecting

• Thank you for holding


• The line's free now ..... I'll put you through


• I'll connect you now / I'm connecting you now.