Appropriate Phrasal Verbs in Telephone Coversation

  Phrasal verbs in English

Telephone language has a lot of phrasal verbs. Since phrasal verbs are idiomatic in nature, we need to make an effort to memorize and recall them and equate them with lexical verbs as the case may be.

Phrasal verbs are a combination of a verb and a preposition or an adverb. This combination usually gives a meaning that is different from what the two or three words combined should mean e.g.

a.    Hang up = end the call

b.    Hang on= wait

c.    Hold on=wait

Common telephone phrasal verbs

Guess meaning of the following phrasal verbs and then check their meanings below.

   1.    Get through to_____________

   2.    Hang on__________________

   3.    Get off (the phone) _________

   4.    Hold on__________________

   5.    Speak up_________________

   6.    Cut off___________________

   7.    Call up___________________

   8.    Call back_________________

   9.    Pick up__________________

10.    Put (a call) through_________

11.    Switch/Turn off____________

12.    Hang up

1.      I.  To succeed to talk on phone with someone
2.     II.  Wait
3.   III.  Put the receiver down
4.  IV.  Wait
5.    V.  Talk louder
6.  VI.  To be disconnected abruptly during a telephone conversation
7. VII.  Make a telephone call
8. VIII.  Return somebody’s call
9.  IX.  Lift the receiver to take a call
10.    X.  To connect one caller to another
11.  XI.  Deactivate (a cell phone)
12. XII.  Stop talking on the phone

NB: It takes time to master telephone conversation but you feel happy when you must have mastered the expressions are using them rightly.

Awkward Situations in Telephone Conversation

Stating objective

When making a call you have to state clearly what you want at the beginning· 
 I’m calling to      -ask about
                          - discuss
                          - clarify…
I'll to know when the file will be ready
Some times we just want to give an instruction
can you come over to the office? etc

Asking to speak with someone

·         I’d like to speak with Max, please.

·         May I speak to_____________ please?

·         May I speak to [person’s name]?

·         I’d like to speak to [person’s name], please.

Taking a message (T) or leaving a message (L)

·         I’m sorry, she/he’s not here today. Can I take a message?

·         I’m afraid he/she’s not available at the moment. Can I take a message?

·         I’ll give him/her your message as soon as he/she gets back.

·         Could you please take a message?

·         Please tell her/him that…

·         I’d like to leave her/him a message

·         Please let her/him know that…

Unclear conversations

• “There’s a lot of background noise – I can barely hear you.”
• “You’re breaking up. Could you call me back?”
  (breaking up = you can only hear parts of what the other person is saying)
• “We have a bad connection.”
• “Sorry – I didn’t catch what you just said.”
• “Could you speak a little loudly?”
  (say this if the person is speaking too low)
• “Could you speak a little more slowly?”
  (say this if the person is speaking too fast)
• “Could you repeat that?” / “Could you say that again?” (more formal)

The caller is absent

• “Sorry – he’s not home right now.”
• “He’s not here.”
• “He’s still at work.”
• “He’s at the gym.”

 Secret information

Sometimes, users may ask for information you find inappropriate or your company does not allow you to provide. You need to turn them down and still be polite in your language. 

I was at a bank in Douala to open an account at a bank. Suddenly, a fierce-looking man came in and pleaded with the receptionist to tell him how much was in his wife’s account. But this was against the policy of the bank and she turned him down. Some expressions you can use in such awkward situations include:

·         I’m afraid I can’t give you that information.

·         Sorry, but I’m not allowed to give details about that.

·         I’m afraid, this information is divulged only to registered users of the product. etc
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