Types of call

A local call

A long distance call

An international call

Cellphone / mobile phone / screen phone

Answering the phone

Good morning. This is Lenovo. How may I help you?

Who's calling / speaking, please?

Excuse me, who is that?

Can you spell your name, please?

Where are you calling from?

Introducing yourself

Good morning. This is Ken Palmer from General Motors.

This is Ken.

Ken speaking.

This is Paul Smith speaking.

Hello, this is Paul Smith from Sparkle International.

Geoffrey Sellers here.

Asking for someone

Please, could you connect me with the Export Department?

Hello, is Jack in the office?

Hello, is that 564 446?

Hello, is that you, Mr. Mutter?

Putting someone on hold

Just a moment, please.

Could you hold the line, please?

Hold on, please. I'll connect you.

Hang on for a minute, I'll put you through.

The person wanted is not available.

I'm afraid Mr. Mandel is not available at the moment.

I'm afraid Mr. Andrew is out at the moment.

I'm afraid Miss Liu isn't in today.

Mr. Wang is away in Hawaii for an international exhibition.

I'm sorry. He's in a meeting at the moment.

Taking a message

Can I take a message?

Would you like to leave a message?

Can I give him / her a message?

I'll tell Mr. Jones that you called.

I'll ask him / her to call you as soon as possible.

Ringing off

Thank you for ringing.

I look forward to meeting you / hearing from you soon.

I think that's all, bye then.

Problems

I've tried to get through several times but it's always engaged.

Could you spell that, please?

Sorry, we were cut off.

She has changed her telephone number.

I will look up the number in the directory.

They're ex-directory.

Please replace the handset / receiver and try again.

The phone doesn't work.

The phone is out of order.

Reasons for calling

I'm phoning / calling / ringing because I am ill.

I'm phoning / calling / ringing for some price information on French perfume. I'm calling about the house for sale.

My call is in reference to your stand at the Guangzhou Fair.

The reason why I'm calling you is that I am ill.

Requesting

Could you please repeat the number?

I didn't catch your name. Would you please spell it?