This is the second part of two online exercises on learning what to say on phone calls in English when the person you call isn't there or can't talk with you. In addition to learning more English vocabulary and phrases used when somebody can't talk to you when you call, in this part you will learn what to say when you want to leave a message for the person and how to say it.
It doesn't matter if you do this or the first part of this exercise first. But I would recommend that you do both, because they will prepare you for everything you could be asked if this happens to you and what you have to say.
Like with the first part of this exercise, it is focused on helping you know what to expect and say in these situations, so the beginning of each telephone conversation is not included. To learn what you need to say in English to start a telephone conversation, do the following exercises:
In each of the two following telephone conversations, a receptionist tells a caller that the person/people who they are calling for can't speak to them. In the first dialogue, the person they are calling for can't speak to them, but the receptionist doesn't say why. In the second, all the people in the department the caller wants to speak to are busy.
From the context, try to guess what the meaning of the words/phrases in bold are and when you should use them in a telephone call. Then do the quiz at the end to check if you are right.
Receptionist:'I'm afraid she is currently unavailable.'
Caller:'Ok. Could I leave a message?'
Receptionist:'Of course. Let me get a pen.'
10 seconds later
Receptionist:'Go ahead, please.'
Caller:'Can you tell her that Jeff Phelps called.'
Receptionist:'Could you spell that, please.'
Caller:'My name?'
Receptionist:'If you could, please.'
Caller:'My first name is J E double F. And my surname is P H E L P S.'
Receptionist:'Perfect.'
Caller:'Could you ask her to call me back about Friday's meeting.'
Receptionist:'Call you back about Friday's meeting. OK. Does she have your number?'
Caller:'I think so. But I'll give it to you just in case. It's 0 7 4 5 3, 9 double 6 7 4 1.'
Receptionist:'So that's 0 7 4 5 3, 9 double 6 7 4 1.'
Caller:'That's right.'
Receptionist:'I'll pass that on to her. Thank you for your call.'
Caller:'Thank you. Bye.'
Receptionist:'Bye.'
Receptionist:'I'm afraid they are all currently busy at the moment. Would you like to wait on the line until one of them is available?'
Caller:'Yes, I would.'
Receptionist:'Ok, putting you on hold.'
3 minutes later
Receptionist:'I'm afraid they are all still on other calls. Would you like me to ask one of them to call you back?'
Caller:'Do you know how long it will be until somebody is available?'
Receptionist:'It's difficult to say. It could be 5 minutes or more. Would you like me to get one of them to call you back later.'
Caller:'Not really, I've got a few meetings today. Is there anybody else who I could speak to about placing an advertisement?'
Receptionist:'I'm afraid not. It's only the sales department who deal with advertisements. I can give you the department's phone number, so you can call them directly.'
Caller:'Ok. If you could do that, please.'
Below is a definition/description of each of the phrases in bold from the above text. Now choose the phrase from the question's selection box which you believe answers each question. Only use one phrase once. Click on the "Check Answers" button at the bottom of the quiz to check your answers.
When the answer is correct, two icons will appear below the answer. The "" icon contains extra information on the phrase (how and when it is used). In the "" icon, you can listen to the pronunciation of the phrase.
Now that you understand the meaning of the words/phrases and when to use them, practise using them by creating your own sentences with them in English. Also click on the "" icon under each correct answer and listen how each is pronounced correctly.
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