The ability to conduct a conversation is a talent, and the ability to conduct a conversation in English is an even more unique and very necessary talent. In this article we will tell you how to greet and say goodbye to your interlocutor, express agreement and disagreement in English, interrupt your interlocutor and deal with rudeness. We will also provide a list of recommended and prohibited topics for conversation.
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Greeting in English
Any conversation begins with a greeting. We offer you two lists of expressions: formal and informal greetings in English. Use the former when communicating in a business environment or when meeting a person, the latter when talking with friends. However, you don’t have to learn all the phrases in a row. To begin with, you can learn just a couple of greetings, use them and gradually learn the rest.
Formal greetings in English are appropriate when communicating with colleagues, business partners, and people you are meeting for the first time. In the latter case, you will also need to find out the person’s name, give yours in response and say that you are pleased to meet him. Here is a set of phrases for a formal greeting:
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| Hello! | Hello! |
| Good morning/afternoon/evening! | Good morning/afternoon/evening! |
| I am glad to see you. / I am happy to see you. / I am pleased to see you. | I'm glad to see you. |
| Good to see you again. / Nice to see you again. | Glad to see you again. |
| How have you been? | How are you? |
| You met a person for the first time | |
| What is your name? | What is your name? |
| My name is (name). Nice to meet you! | |
| My name is (name). It is a pleasure to meet you! | My name is (name). Nice to meet you! |
Possible greeting responses:
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| Fine thanks, and you? | Fine, thank you, and how are you? |
| Okay, thank you, how are you? | |
| Very well, thanks. | Very good thanks. |
| Pretty good, thanks. | Pretty good, thanks. |
| How do you do? | - response to the greeting How do you do? (obsolete) |
How do you do? - an outdated greeting. It is sometimes used as a phrase, “Nice to meet you,” and is only said when seeing a person for the first time. The correct answer to How do you do? - this is How do you do?, that is, you don’t need to talk about your business.
If you didn't hear how a person said something to you, ask them to repeat it by saying Sorry?, Pardon? or Could you repeat, please?
Informal greetings in English that you can use when meeting friends:
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| Hi! | Hello! |
| Hello there! / Hey there! | Hello! |
| Look who's here! Long time no see! | Look who I see! Haven't seen each other for a hundred years! (when you are happy to see someone you haven't seen for a long time) |
| Morning! | An informal alternative to good morning. |
| How's life? | What's up? |
| How are you? | How are you |
| How are things? | How are you? |
| What's up? (Sup!) / How are you getting on? / How is it going? | How are you? |
| What's new? | What's new? |
| What have you been up to? | What have you been doing all this time? |
| Nice to see you! / Good to see you! | Glad to see you! |
| Long time no see! / It has been while! | Haven't seen each other for a hundred years! / Long time no see! |
The answer to an informal greeting might sound like this:
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| Great, thanks! | Excellent thank you! |
| Fine thanks, and you? | Okay, thanks, what about you? |
| Fine thanks, what about yourself? | Good, thanks. And how are you? |
| Not bad! | Not bad! |
| Can't complain. | I can't complain. (in a good way) |
| I am doing pretty well. | I'm doing pretty well. |
| I have been better. | It could have been better. |
| Nothing much. | Nothing special. |
How to start a conversation in English
After you have greeted the person, you need to somehow continue your conversation. If you are talking with a friend, then, of course, you will quickly find a topic for communication. However, if you just met a person at a friend’s house or at an official event, then you need to “break the ice”, that is, establish contact between you and your new acquaintance. Our teachers’ blog has a good article “Breaking the ice: how to start a conversation in English”, read this material and use it in practice. In this article we will give you a small selection of phrases that will help you start a conversation with your interlocutor.
If you are at a formal event, you can use the following conversational phrases in English to start a conversation:
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| I've heard so much about you. | I've heard a lot about you. |
| I’ve heard so much about you from Mr. Smith. | I heard a lot about you from Mr. Smith. |
| How do you like the conference/workshop? | How did you like the conference/training? |
| Is it your first time at the conference/workshop? | Is this your first time at a conference/training? |
| So, you work in IT, right? | You work in IT, right? |
| Have you always been in IT? | Have you always worked in IT? |
| How long have you been a member of ABC organization? | How long have you been a member of the ABC organization? |
| How long have you been working for this firm? | How long have you been working for this company? |
| I am from Moscow/Russia. And you? | I'm from Moscow/Russia. And you? |
| How do you like it here? | Do you like it here? / What are your impressions? |
| How long have you been here? | How long have you been here? |
| How long have you been living here? | How long have you lived here? |
| This is my first visit to London. What do you recommend to visit while I am here? | This is my first visit to London. What would you recommend I watch while I'm here? |
| This place is really nice. Do you come here a lot? | This place is truly wonderful. Do you come here often? |
Do you need to start a conversation in English in an informal setting? The following phrases would be appropriate at a party:
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| That is a lovely name. Are you named after someone? | This beautiful name. Were you named after someone? |
| Who are you here with? | Who did you come here with? |
| How do you know Jane? | How do you know Jane? |
| So, you are friends with Jane, right? | You and Jane are friends, right? |
| I think we've met somewhere. | I think you and I have already met somewhere. |
| I love your hat/dress/blouse. It really suits you. | I like your hat/dress/blouse. It really suits you. |
| So, you like football. | So you love football. |
| Where will you spend Easter? | Where will you spend Easter? (any holiday) |
| The food looks great! Have you tried the cake/dessert/wine? | The food looks great! Have you tried the cake/dessert/wine? |
| These decorations are wonderful. I love the flowers! | These decorations are wonderful. I love these flowers! |
How to express your opinion on any issue
So, your mission has been a success: you have attracted the attention of your interlocutor and he answered the question. Now it’s important to keep his attention and continue the conversation. Most likely, your new acquaintance will ask you a question similar to yours or ask you to express your opinion on some topic. To answer him confidently, you need to know how to express your opinion in English. Of course, you can immediately express your point of view, but we suggest that you learn special phrases that will make your speech more beautiful and persuasive. You can use them in both formal and informal settings. At an official event, try to formulate your thoughts more softly, with less emotionality, than when communicating with friends.
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| In my opinion... | In my opinion... |
| The way I see it... | From my point of view... |
| In my experience... | In my experience... |
| As far as I'm concerned... | As far as I understand... |
| To tell the truth... / Frankly speaking... | Honestly... |
| According to Mr. Smith... | As Mr. Smith says... |
| If you ask me... | Personally, I think... |
| Personally, I think... | Personally I think... |
| Speaking for myself... | In my opinion... |
| I'd say that... | I would say that... |
| I'd suggest that... | I would guess that... |
| I'd like to point out that... | I would like to mention that... |
| I believe that... | I believe that... / I believe that... |
| What do I mean... | I mean that... |
| To my mind... | In my opinion... |
| From my point of view... | From my point of view... |
| My opinion is that... | My opinion is that... |
| I hold the opinion that... | I am of the opinion that... |
| I guess that... | I believe that... |
| It goes without saying that... | It goes without saying that... |
| It seems to me that... | I think that... |
If you are not entirely sure of your words or want to more accurately present your point of view at an official event, then you can express your opinion in English using the following phrases:
How to maintain a dialogue: phrases of agreement and disagreement in English
So, you have successfully started a dialogue with your interlocutor, discussing a topic, exchanging opinions with him. To avoid awkward pauses, after an exchange of opinions, continue the discussion: express your agreement or disagreement with the point of view of the interlocutor.
First, let's look at how you can express consent in English. All of the phrases listed below are appropriate in both formal and informal settings. They are neutral, so if you are at a social event, just say them in a calm tone, but at a party with friends you can say them more emotionally. Please note: the pronoun you in English means both “you” and “you,” so you can’t go wrong using these phrases in any setting.
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| I agree with you one hundred percent. | I agree with you/you one hundred percent. |
| I couldn't agree with you more. | I completely agree with you. |
| You're absolutely right. | You are absolutely right. |
| Absolutely. | Absolutely right. |
| Exactly. | Exactly. |
| No doubt about it. | Without a doubt. |
| I suppose so. / I guess so. | I guess so. (there is a small amount of uncertainty) |
| I was just going to say that. | I was just about to say this. |
| That is exactly what I think. | That's exactly what I think about this. / I think so. |
| I agree with you entirely. / I totally agree with you. | I completely agree with you/you. |
| I am of the same opinion. | I'm of the same opinion. |
Now here are a few more emotional and informal phrases that are appropriate to use when communicating with friends:
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| Tell me about it! | Still would! / Shouldn’t I know! |
| That is exactly how I feel. | This is exactly how I feel. |
| Quite so! | Absolutely right! / That's it! / Undoubtedly! |
| Fair enough! | Agree! / All clear! / Fair! / Logical! |
With disagreement, things are a little more complicated. When you want to express disagreement in English, you need to be extremely polite so as not to offend the person, especially if you have just met your interlocutor or are at an official event. We recommend using the following polite phrases to express disagreement:
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| I'm afraid I disagree. | I'm afraid I don't agree. |
| I beg to differ. | I beg to differ. |
| Not necessarily. | Not necessary. |
| No, I am not so sure about that. | No, I'm not so sure about that. |
| That’s not really how I see it, I’m afraid. | I'm afraid I see it a little differently. |
| I'm afraid I have to disagree. | I'm afraid I have to disagree. |
| No, I disagree. What about... | No I do not agree. But how... |
| On the contrary... | On the other side... |
| I’m sorry to disagree with you but... | I'm sorry that I don't agree with you, but... |
| Yes, but don’t you think... | Yes, but don't you think... |
| The problem is that... | The problem is... |
| I doubt whether... | I doubt... |
| With all due respect... | With all due respect... |
| I am of a different opinion because... | I have a different opinion because... |
| On the whole I agree with you but... | In general I agree with you, but... |
| Yes, OK, but perhaps... | Yes, good, but maybe... |
| I see what are you mean but have you thought about... | I understand what you mean, but you didn't think that... |
| I hear what you are saying but... | I hear what you are saying, but... |
| I accept what you are saying but... | I understand what you are saying, but... |
| I see your point but... | I understand what you mean, but... |
| I agree to some extent but... | To some extent I agree, but... |
| True enough but... | You're right, but... |
If you are talking to an old acquaintance, you can express a stronger disagreement with his opinion. However, in the midst of a dispute, we still recommend that you think about what is more valuable to you: a friend or the truth. To soften the severity of the following phrases a little, you can start your speech with I am afraid... (I'm afraid...).
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| I can't agree. I really think... | I can't agree more. I really think... |
| No way. I completely disagree with you. | In no case. I completely disagree with you. |
| I can't share this view. | I can't share your point of view. |
| I can't agree with this idea. | I can't agree with this idea. |
| That's not always true. / That’s not always the case. | This is not always true. |
| I don't think so. | I don't think so. |
| I have my own thoughts about that. | I have my own thoughts about this. |
| No way. | In no case. |
| I totally disagree. | I strongly disagree. |
| I'd say the exact opposite. | I would say exactly the opposite. |
How to politely interrupt someone you're talking to
Interrupting your interlocutor without him being offended by you is a skill. Of course, it is best not to interrupt the person talking to you, but to endure until the end of his speech and only then speak out. However, sometimes there are situations when you simply need to urgently intervene in a conversation and end it when you are at a formal event, or “put in your two cents” in a conversation with a friend. In this case, try to break into a pause in speech and say one of the following phrases. And to make everything sound as polite as possible, don’t forget to say Excuse me... first.
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| Can I add/say something here? | May I add something on this issue? |
| Is it ok if I jump in for a second? | Can I insert a few words? |
| If I might add something... | If I may add something... |
| Can I throw my two cents in? | Can I put in my two cents? |
| Sorry to interrupt, but... | Sorry to interrupt you, but... |
| Can I just mention something? | Can I mention something? |
| Do you mind if I come in here? | Can I join the conversation? |
| Before you move on I’d like to say something. | Before you move on to the next topic, I would like to say something. |
| Excuse me for interrupting but... | Sorry to interrupt, but... |
| Excuse me for butting in but... | Sorry to interrupt, but... |
| Just a moment, I'd like to... | Just a second, I'd like... |
| I apologize for interrupting... | I apologize for interrupting... |
We would like to focus on polite language, but sometimes it becomes necessary to abruptly interrupt the interlocutor. For example, if a person touches on a topic that is painful for you or is trying to humiliate someone around you, you need to act more decisively. Use the following phrases only as a last resort, they are harsh and rude, and after such a statement the interlocutor may be offended.
If you interrupted a person politely and expressed your opinion, then you need to give the floor to him again. Use one of the following phrases:
Desirable and undesirable topics for conversation in English
So, we have given you some good phrases to help you start and maintain a conversation in English. All that remains is to understand what to communicate about: which topics of conversation are welcomed by English speakers, and which are best avoided.
- Events in the host city
A good topic for conversation is recent events in the city. The only condition is that the events must be good and evoke positive emotions, for example: a city day, the opening of a new ice skating rink, etc. You should not discuss news about a maniac or a recent accident, few people find this pleasant.
- Funny case
Laughter brings people together, helps them loosen up and relax - exactly what is needed when talking. Remember a funny incident from your life and tell it to your interlocutor, this will help you find a common topic for conversation and feel more free.
- Trips
Almost all people like travel and stories about distant (and not so distant) countries, so this is a fertile topic for conversation. Tell us about your trip or simply ask your interlocutor if he likes to travel and where he has already visited.
- Job
An ideal topic of conversation, especially if you are communicating with a person at a formal event. At the same time, the rules of politeness require that the conversation take place in a positive way. That is, you may be interested in how long a person has been working in his industry and in a particular company, what attracts him to work. Avoid questions about salary and relationship with management, in this case it is inappropriate.
- Hobby
Well, who wouldn’t want to talk about their favorite activities?! Ask the person what he likes to do in his free time, how long he has been interested in his hobby, etc. Sometimes a real strong friendship begins with such an unobtrusive conversation.
- Music, books, cinema
The simplest and most obvious thing is to start a conversation by finding out the musical and other tastes of your interlocutor. Try discussing the latest in music or cinema, as well as best-selling books, this will help you quickly establish contact with your interlocutor.
- Holidays
Think about the nearest holiday and ask the person how he usually celebrates it, where he recommends you go and how to have fun.
- Food
The topic is a universal one. If you are at a banquet, it would be logical to say something unobtrusively about how excellent the food is, or ask your interlocutor if he knows what those nice canapés are made of.
- Weather
The topic is quite banal, but unobtrusive; it will come to the rescue if you don’t know where to start a conversation in English.
- Sport
A harmless and quite interesting topic, especially if you are going to start a conversation with a man. However, keep in mind that you yourself must be interested in some kind of sport, otherwise you simply will not be able to carry on a conversation on this topic.
- Entertainment venues (local bars, cafes, clubs, etc.)
Ask your new friend which places are worth visiting and which ones to stay away from. And if he himself recently arrived in the city, you can offer to go to some interesting place together.
Want to find more interesting conversation topics in English? We recommend taking a look at the page, where you will find 250 interesting questions that will help you start a conversation.
Taboo topics for conversation in English (and any other) language:
- Personal life. If you are not talking to an old friend, this topic is taboo - you may inadvertently hurt the feelings of your interlocutor.
- Complaints about work, salary, boss and generally about any topic.
- Gossip.
- Discussion of age, weight or appearance.
- Criticism of someone or something.
- Bad habits.
- Indecent topics.
- Disease and death.
- Bad news (discussions of crime news, disasters, etc.).
- Religion.
- Policy.
- Finance.
- Specialized topics that are understandable and interesting only to a narrow circle of people.
What to do if you are rude?
Everyone encounters unpleasant interlocutors from time to time. What to do if you are rude? If you respond to a person with similar insults, you will lower yourself in the eyes of others, so we recommend that you act differently. Sometimes it happens that a person “breaks down” on you, and then asks for forgiveness if you managed to cool his ardor. In any case, we advise you to adopt the following phrases that will help you decisively and at the same time politely deal with rudeness.
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| Whatever you say. | As you say. |
| Well, I think we’ve reached the end of this conversation. | Well, I think we're done. |
| You don't really expect me to answer that, do you? | You don't really expect me to answer that, do you? |
| Ouch! Did you mean to be that rude? | Oh! Did you intentionally/purposely be rude to me? |
| I think that was a bit rude. | I think that was a little rude. |
| You just offended me. | You hurted me. |
| I’m sure you didn’t mean to be rude, but that’s how you sounded. | I'm sure you didn't mean to be rude, but that's exactly what it sounded like. |
| I don't really know how to answer that. | I don’t even know what to answer to this. |
| I feel hurt by what you are saying. | It pains me to hear what you say. |
These are the phrases you can answer a rude person. We don’t recommend getting into an argument with him: you shouldn’t waste your time and nerves on such people, especially since you can almost forget English from stress and still won’t provide any compelling arguments, so your words won’t be convincing.
How to say goodbye in English
After the conversation, you need to say goodbye to your interlocutor. Of course, the standard Goodbye will work for almost any purpose. However, you can say goodbye in a more interesting way. We offer you a list of farewell phrases in English:
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| Have a good/nice day. | Have a good day. |
| I look forward to our next meeting. | I look forward to our next meeting. |
| I've got to go. | I have to go. (when you are in a company of people and you have to say goodbye to everyone) |
| It was nice to see you again. / It was nice seeing you. | It was nice to see you again. |
You can use the previous phrases in both formal and informal settings. And for communicating with close friends, we will present you with a few more farewell slang phrases in English:
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| Catch you later. | See you later. |
| I'm off. | I went. |
| See you later. | See you later. |
| See you soon. | See you soon. |
| Take care. | Bye! / Come on! / Be healthy! |
| Talk to you soon. | See you in touch! / Let's call you! |
| See you next time. | See you! |
| Bye. | Bye. |
Now you know how to have a conversation in English at a formal event and among friends. We highly recommend that you learn the presented phrases by heart, because they will be useful to you more than once in communication. And if you find it difficult to speak English with a stranger, we invite you to our school. Our wonderful teachers will help you overcome the language barrier. We wish you only pleasant conversations and interesting interlocutors!
Full list of phrases for download
We have compiled a document for you that will make it easier for you to conduct a dialogue with your interlocutor. You can download it from the link below.
It's no secret that the telephone has long become an integral part of our Everyday life. Effective business communication over the phone has its own characteristics and secrets, which should not be forgotten. Our article is for those who strive for successful business communication with native English speakers via telephone.
“There is no such thing as a good call at 7 AM. It"s been my experience that all calls between the hours of 11 PM and 9 AM are disaster calls.”
“There’s no such thing as a good call at 7 a.m. In my experience, all calls between 11:00 and 9:00 are distress calls."
~ Janet Evanovich
Basic rules for business communication over the phone
Telephone conversations are more difficult than live ones in that the interlocutor is not visible, it is impossible to track his non-verbal reaction, which is often much more frank than words.
Before you begin a business conversation in English, you need to develop certain general telephone communication skills.
Preparing to speak English on the phone
Before making a call, you need cope with your internal tension. First of all, try to focus on the upcoming conversation and relax. After all, the interlocutor does not see you and, hearing the tension in your voice, he may form an erroneous opinion about you. A man may seem more stubborn and stubborn, while a woman may seem unbalanced and unpredictable, and such people in business are very difficult to deal with.
Important!
Try to overcome your fear of the microphone. To do this, you can introduce your interlocutor. It's very good if you know what it looks like. After all, it is much easier to have a conversation with a living person than with a soulless telephone receiver.
Take the call initiative into your own hands. This will give you many advantages. Firstly, you will be able to conduct the conversation in a direction that is beneficial to your company. And secondly, it will be much easier for you to adjust psychologically, since you will have the opportunity to prepare for the upcoming call, think it over, and arrange it in a logical chain.
Consider the timing of your call carefully. It is better not to call about important issues in the morning and at the end of the working day; it is also not recommended to try to resolve important issues before the weekend or on holidays. Before you call, make a conversation plan. Write down the main issues that need to be discussed.
How to behave while talking on the phone
Always speak briefly without departing from main topic conversation– save your time and the time of your interlocutor. Business partners will definitely appreciate this. The rules for talking on the phone with clients suggest that effective negotiations take 3-4 minutes.
When preparing for a telephone conversation in English, write down the phrases you want to use, and also keep an online translator at hand - this will give you more self-confidence. Keep a small notebook or notebook for business conversations in English. Business man will not use scraps of paper or calendar sheets for this.
Important!
When communicating on the phone, 55% of information is lost, as there is no body language and gestures. 38% of information is remembered through intonation and only 7% of information is conveyed by words.
Practice your phone conversation several times Bring the use of phrases in English to automaticity and you are guaranteed success. The peculiarity of the phone is that it enhances speech impediments. You need to carefully monitor your diction and pronunciation. Recording and listening to your telephone conversations will help you improve your negotiation techniques.
How to start a telephone conversation in English?
It is the greeting stage that can be the key to a successful outcome of the entire conversation. It is very important to set the mood of the conversation and give it an emotional coloring. It is important to immediately show the interlocutor that he is dealing with a business person.
Welcome phrases in English on the phone
How to ask to connect with the right person
How to clarify information about your interlocutor in English
| Phrase in English | Translation |
|---|---|
| Who am I speaking to? | Who am I talking to? |
| Sorry, who am I speaking to? | Excuse me, who am I talking to? |
| Is that you Jennifer? | Are you Jennifer? |
| Is that Louise? / Is that Louise speaking? Yes, speaking. / Yes, it’s me. | Is this Louise? / Is that Louise on the phone? Yes I. / Yes it's me. |
| Sorry, I didn't recognize your voice. | Sorry, I didn't recognize your voice. |
| I’ve just been speaking to someone from your department about x, but I didn’t catch their name / I forgot to ask their name. | I was just talking to someone from your department about x, but I didn't catch his name / I forgot to ask his name. |
| I was speaking to a man / woman yesterday afternoon. | I spoke to a man/woman yesterday afternoon. |
| I was speaking to someone called James in the x department, but I don’t have his last name or phone number, do you have any idea who it might be? | I spoke to someone named James in department x, but I don't know his last name or phone number, do you know who he might be? |
| What did you say your name was? | What did you say, what is your name? |
| Your name was? | Your name is? |
Phrases for solving problems during a telephone conversation
| Phrase in English | Translation |
|---|---|
| Michelle: Hello, you"ve reached the marketing department. How can I help? | Michelle: Hello! You called the marketing department. How can I help? |
| Male: Yes can I speak to Rosalind Wilson, please? | Man: Can I speak to Rosalyn Wilson? |
| Michelle: Who's calling please? | Michelle: Please identify yourself. |
| Male: It's Richard Davies here | Man: This is Richard Davis. |
| Michelle: Certainly. Please hold and I’ll put you through. | Michelle: Please stay on the line, I will connect you. |
| Male: Thank you. | Man: Thank you. |
| Michelle: Hello marketing. How can I help? | Michelle: Hello, this is the marketing department. How can I help? |
| Male: Could I speak to Jason Roberts please? | Man: Can I speak to Jason Robert please? |
| Michelle: Certainly. Who shall I say is calling? | Michelle: Certainly. How can I introduce you? |
| Male: My name's Mike Andrews. | Man: My name is Mike Andrews. |
| Michelle: Just a second. I'll see if he's in. Hello, Jason, I’ve got Mike Andrews on the phone for you ... OK - I’ll put him through. Hang on a moment, I’m just putting you through. | Michelle: Just a second. I'll check to see if he's there. Hello Jason, Mike Andrews on the line...Okay. I'll connect you. Wait a minute, I'm connecting you. |
Examples of videos of telephone conversations
In this video you can see and hear how to answer phone calls in English correctly.
Always remember business phone etiquette. Never break his rules. In the next article we will talk about how to leave and receive messages from your interlocutor when speaking in English.
Let's summarize:
- Before you call, you need to outline a clear conversation plan and cope with physical and psychological stress.
- During a conversation, you need to follow the rules telephone etiquette.
- To have a successful conversation in English, you need to learn the most common phrases and prepare the questions you want to ask. Don't forget to rehearse your upcoming phone conversation.
- After the telephone conversation, be sure to analyze your mistakes so as not to repeat them again.
In contact with
Anna Kovrova
A short conversation on the phone in English is something like a Listening exam. Only here you also need to answer! And if in a face-to-face conversation a smile and body language help you out, then you can’t count on them here. But standard “telephone” phrases are at your service!
To learn how to speak English on the phone, you don’t have to complete English courses: just learn the necessary “help” phrases and practice a little with a friend or colleague. Let's get started!
Start
Of course, you know how to introduce yourself: “Hello, this is Anna.” But further options are possible. If you are calling someone at home, you might say:
Do you need an extension number? Then it is appropriate to say:
When you pick up the phone and the caller has not introduced himself, it makes sense to clarify his name:
Let's continue the conversation!
Having found out that they are calling you, you answer:
The first three options are quite appropriate for a business setting, but the last one is more suitable for friendly communication or if you are talking with someone who is obviously young. Essentially, all of the above expressions mean “Wait!”, but require the word “wait” to be dispensed with.
If you are connected to an extension, they usually say something like “Connecting your call...”, “Please hold, I'll transfer you,” or a terse “Hello, please hold!” (“Hello, please wait”)
How to leave or receive a message?
In a situation when the right person is not there, you hear (or say yourself): “He’s not here at the moment. Would you like to leave a message?” (“He’s not here right now. Should I tell you something?”)
If you are not offered to leave a message, come up with this idea yourself: “May I leave a message?” (this is a request: “Can I leave a message?”).
Make sure you don’t forget about your phone number (this is called a “call back number”):
If a number is dictated to you, but there is nothing to write with, it is enough to say: “Hold on, let me grab a pen and a piece of paper.” (“Wait, I’ll grab a pen and paper.”) And armed with writing tools, ask them to repeat: “What’s your number again?” (“Okay, what number did you call?”)
Assure the person that you will convey everything he told you:
However, it is possible that the caller will not want to leave a message:
| No, that's okay. I'll try again later. | No, everything is okay. I'll try to call back later. |
What if it’s not clear?
It is convenient to refer to extraneous noise or connection quality. However, sometimes it’s better to simply admit that you don’t understand the speaker well enough - he will meet you halfway.
Say goodbye!
Okay. Take care. Bye.
Thank you. Goodbye.
Also, before calling, it’s useful to write down everything you were going to say. If the conversation is going to be important, it won’t hurt to even sketch out a tentative scenario.
"I dictate by letter: ..."
Unfortunately, sometimes the quality of telephone communication is not important. In Russian, we usually get out of the situation by dictating an incomprehensible word by letter; in this case we use Russian names (URA: Ulyana, Raisa, Anna, etc.).
In English, it is customary to use the following well-known words:
- Dance names: Foxtrot, Tango
- Names of Shakespearean characters: Romeo & Juliet
- Male names: Charlie, Mike, Oscar, Victor
- City names: Lima, Quebec
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Today we will study the basic vocabulary associated with the main means of communication, remember expressions and phrases typical for communicating on the telephone, and also look at examples of formal telephone conversations.
Regardless of what phone you are talking on - mobile ( cell phone, mobile phone), stationary ( telephone) or pay phone ( pay-phone), - there are both norms of telephone etiquette and specific standards for conducting a conversation.
When someone calls, your phone makes a sound, and then we say that the phone is ringing - the phone is ringing. If you are available, you pick up the phone or answer the call ( pick up the telephone/ answer the telephone) in order to talk to a person. If no one answers the call, you can leave a message on the answering machine ( answering machine) or to voicemail ( voicemail). You can call back later ( call back/return the call).
When you want to make a phone call, you start by dialing the number ( dial the number). Let's assume that you are calling your friend, but she is already talking to someone. You will hear busy signal and realize that the number is busy.
Sometimes when you call a company, they put you on hold or put you on hold. on hold), and you, listening to nasty music, expect an answer. Finally, when you're done talking, you hang up ( hang up).
Now you have basic telephone vocabulary and are ready to move on to examples of telephone conversations in different situations which will help you study some English phrases for communication by phone.
Official business communication by phone
Helen: Midtown Computer Solutions, Helen speaking. How can I help you? (Computer Solutions Center, Helen speaking. How can I help you?)
Ryan: Hello, this is Ryan Bardos. May I speak with Natalie Jones, please? (Hello, this is Ryan Bardos. Can I speak to Natalie Jones please?)
Helen: One moment please – I"ll put you through. (One minute. I’ll connect you)
Helen: Mr. Bardos? I"m sorry, Natalie"s in a meeting at the moment. Would you like to leave a message? (Mr. Bardos? Sorry, Natalie is in a meeting right now. Would you like to leave her a message?)
Ryan: Yes, could you ask her to call me back as soon as possible? It's pretty urgent. (Yes, could you tell her to call back as soon as possible? It's pretty urgent.)
Helen: Of course. Does she have your number? (Of course. Does she have your number?)
Ryan: She has my office number, but let me also give you my cell – it’s 472-555-8901. (She has my office number, but let me leave my mobile just in case – 472-555-8901)
Helen: Let me read that back to you – 472-555-8901. (Let's check which number to call back. 472-555-8901)
Ryan: That's right. (That's right.)
Helen: And could you spell your last name for me? (Could you spell out your last name?)
Ryan: B as in Boston – A – R – D as in dog – O – S as in September (B as in Boston – A-R -D as in the word dog – O – C as in the word September).
Helen: Okay, Mr. Bardos. I"ll give her the message. (Okay, Mr. Bardos. I'll give her your message.)
Ryan: Thanks a lot. Bye. ( Thank you very much. Goodbye)
Ryan: Hello? (Hello?)
Natalie: Hi, Ryan, this is Natalie returning your call. (Hello Ryan, this is Natalie, calling you back.)
Ryan: Hi Natalie, thanks for getting back to me. I was calling about the shipment of keyboards for our office – we haven’t gotten them yet. (Hello, Natalie, thanks for calling back. I called about the shipment of keyboards for our office, we haven’t received them yet.)
Natalie: Oh, that "s not good – they were supposed to be delivered three days ago. (This is not very good news, they were supposed to be delivered 3 days ago.)
Ryan: Exactly, and we have a new group of employees starting on Monday, so we really need those keyboards as soon as possible. (That's right, our new group of employees start work on Monday, so we need keyboards ASAP.)
Natalie: Okay, I'll look into it right away – if necessary, we can send you an emergency overnight shipment.
Ryan: Thanks, Natalie, I appreciate it. (Thanks Natalie, I'm grateful for that.)
Natalie: No problem, Ryan. I"ll call you back a little later, as soon as I have more information. (You're welcome, Ryan. I'll call you a little later, as soon as I have more information.)
Ryan: Sounds good – talk to you soon. (I was glad to hear, we’ll call you soon.)
Natalie: Bye. (Goodbye.)
Phrases for an official business telephone conversation
From these conversations, we can extract phrases to start a phone conversation, leave a voice message, check and get information, and end a conversation.
- Starting a conversation
When Helen answers the phone, she says: “Midtown Computer Solutions, Helen speaking. How can I help you?" This is a standard phrase from a secretary in response to a telephone call received by a company or organization. There are also several other ways to answer:
“Thank you for calling Midtown Computer Solutions. How may I direct your call?”(Thank you for calling Computer Solutions Center. Who can I forward your call to?)
“Midtown Computer Solutions – good afternoon.”(Computer Solutions Center. Good afternoon)
To introduce yourself, you can say: "Hello, this is...", and if you want, you can add your company name.
"Hello, this is Ryan Bardos."
"Hello, this is Ryan Bardos from Paramount Publishing."
Then, to ask to be connected with the person you need, the following phrases are used:
"May I speak with...?"(Can I talk to...?)
"Could I speak with...?"(Could I talk to...?)
You can also use the phrases “I’m calling about...” or “I"m calling to...”:
"I"m calling about the job opening I saw in the newspaper."(I'm calling about a job opening at a newspaper)
"I'm calling to register for the upcoming conference."(I'm calling about registering for an upcoming conference).
To connect or forward a call, the secretary says: “One moment please – I”ll put you through” (One minute, please – now I will forward your call). A few other phrases for call forwarding:
“Please hold.”(Please wait)
“I"ll transfer you.”(I'll forward your call now)
“May I ask who's calling?” / “Who’s calling, please?”(Can I ask who is talking to me?)
If you forget to introduce yourself at the beginning of a conversation, the secretary will sometimes use this phrase to get your name.
- How to leave a message
Unfortunately, in the conversation offered as an example, Ryan was unable to talk to the person he wanted to talk to, since this person was absent, and the secretary responded this way: “I’m sorry, Natalie’s in a meeting at the moment.” There are also other phrases when a person cannot answer your call:
“I"m sorry, she"s on another call.”(Sorry, but she's on the phone right now)
“I"m sorry, Natalie has left for the day.”(Sorry, Natalie left today)
“I"m sorry, Natalie"s not in her office right now.”(Sorry, Natalie is not in the office right now)
“I"m sorry, she"s out of town at the moment.”(Sorry, she's out of town right now)
“I"m sorry, she"s not available at the moment."(Sorry, she can't answer your call right now)
Then, there are the following phrases used to leave a message:
“Would you like to leave a message?”(Would you like to leave a message?)
“Can I take a message?”(Could I leave a message?)
If you don't want to leave a message, you can say:
“No thanks, I’ll call back later.”(No thanks, I'll call you back later).
There are two ways to politely leave a message. You can start your message with the word “Please”, and if you need to ask a question, then with the words “Can I..”:
“Could you ask her to call me back?”(Could you ask her to call me back?)
“Please ask him to call me back.”(Please tell him to call me back)
“Please tell him/her that the documents are ready.”(Please tell him/her that the documents are ready)
“Please remind him/her that he/she has a dentist appointment tomorrow.”(Please remind him/her that he/she has a dentist appointment tomorrow)
- Receiving and checking information
When you leave a message, the secretary uses two standard phrases to verify and clarify information:
“Let me read that back to you.”(Let's check if everything is correct)
“Could you spell your last name for me?”(Could you spell out your last name?)
The verb "to spell" means to spell out a word. Ryan said:
“B as in Boston – A – R – D as in dog – O – C as in September”.
- How to end a conversation
When you want to end a conversation, you use so-called “signal phrases” that indicate that the conversation is coming to an end:
“Well, it was nice talking with you.”(It was nice talking to you)
“Thanks for calling.”(Thank you for calling)
“Anyway... I should let you go / I should get going.”(Anyway, I can't keep you/I have to go)
If you want to continue communication in the future, you can use phrases to continue communication:
“I"ll get in touch in a couple of days.”(I'll call you in a couple of days)
"I"ll call you back a little later"(I'll call you a little later)
“Talk to you soon.”(Let's call you)
Finally, to end the conversation, here are some final phrases:
“Bye.”(Bye)
“Take care.”(Take care of yourself)
“Have a nice day.”(Have a good day)
In response, say: “You too.” Bye.”(And the same to you. Goodbye)
Business conversation on the phone in English is one of the most complex tasks that employees have to perform international companies. The point here is both the language barrier and the fear of not understanding the interlocutor. Therefore, we will tell you what phrases can be used in a telephone conversation in English in different cases, and we will give general tips on how to properly communicate on the phone with native speakers in order to understand everything and be understood.
We have written a simple phrasebook for travelers, in which you will find dialogues, phrases and vocabulary on 25 essential topics. Go on a journey with the main character and improve your English. You can download the book for free at.
Useful phrases for talking on the phone Greetings
The theater begins with a hanger, and a telephone conversation in English begins with a greeting. In addition to the usual Good morning/afternoon/evening, you need to introduce yourself. According to the rules of etiquette, you need to immediately tell your interlocutor who is bothering him. At the same time, it is advisable to name not only your full name, but also the company you represent.
Welcome phrases in English on the phone:
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| This is Ostap Bender calling. | It's Ostap Bender who worries. |
| It's Ostap Bender here. | This is Ostap Bender. |
| It’s Ostap Bender from “Horns and hoofs” here. | |
| This is Ostap Bender from “Horns and hoofs”. | This is Ostap Bender from Horns and Hooves. |
And after the person greets you, be sure to ask a simple but very important question:
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| Is it convenient for you to talk at the moment? | Are you comfortable talking now? |
If the person is busy, immediately clarify when you can talk to him. Take into account the following phrases:
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| Can I call you back? | Can I call you back? |
| I'll call back later. | I'll call you back later. |
| Could you tell me when the best time to call is? | Please tell me when is the best time to call you back? |
It may also happen that you dial the wrong number. In this case, you can use the following phrases:
How to respond to a greeting
Now let’s imagine the opposite situation - they called you and introduced themselves. How to answer your interlocutor correctly?
First, be sure to say hello with the usual words Good morning/afternoon/evening, then, depending on your position and the specifics of cooperation with foreign partners and clients, you can use the following phrases when talking on the phone in English:
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| “Horns and hoofs.” How can I help you? | "Horns and hooves". How can I help you? |
| Thank you for calling “Horns and hoofs”. Ostap Bender speaking. How can I help you? | Thanks for calling Horns and Hooves. Ostap Bender is on the phone. How can I help you? |
| “Horns and hoofs”, Ostap Bender speaking. How may I be of help? | “Horns and Hooves”, Ostap Bender on the phone. How can I help you? |
| “Horns and hoofs”, Ostap Bender speaking. Is there anything I can do for you? | “Horns and Hooves”, Ostap Bender on the phone. Can I help you? |
Are you busy at the moment? Politely ask the person to call you back later.
The person has the wrong number? Let him know about this using one of the following phrases.
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| What number are you calling? | What number are you calling? |
| What number did you dial? | What number did you dial? |
| I’m sorry, but we don’t have Mr. Koreiko here. | Unfortunately, Mr. Koreiko does not work for us / we do not have an employee with that last name. |
| Sorry, you must have the wrong number. | Sorry, you must have the wrong number. |
| Sorry, you’ve got the wrong number. | I'm sorry, you have the wrong number. |
| You must have misdialed. | You must have dialed the wrong number. |
There are situations when a person has the wrong number, but his call is unpleasant to you, for example, if he intrusively offers you unnecessary goods or services. How to politely answer an unwanted call?
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| I"m sorry, I"m not interested. | Unfortunately, I'm not interested. |
| Sorry, I'm busy at the moment. | I'm sorry, I'm busy right now. |
| We have no interest in your services. | We are not interested in your services. |
| Please, accept that I do not want any more telephone calls. | Please note that I do not want you to call me. |
How to clarify caller information
Let's imagine that they called you, but did not introduce themselves. In this case, you need to avoid pauses in the conversation and immediately clarify who is calling and for what purpose. In this situation, use the following phrases:
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| Who is calling, please? | Please, introduce yourself. |
| Could I ask who's calling? | May I know who is calling? |
| May I ask who's calling? | May I ask who is calling? |
| Can I take your name, please? | May I know your name please? |
| Where are you calling from? | Where are you calling from? |
| Could you tell me what it's about? | Could you please tell me the purpose of the call? |
| Who are you calling? | Who are you calling? |
| Who do you want to speak to? | Who would you like to talk to? |
| The name of the person you are calling, please? | Please state the name of the person you are calling. |
| What company are you calling from? | Which company are you calling from? |
How to ask to be connected to the right person
You call the company, but end up with a secretary or the general telephone number of a large department. In this case, you need to ask the employee to call the person you need on the phone. You can also ask to be connected to the internal telephone number of a specific employee. Use these phrases:
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| Can I speak to Mr. Koreiko? | Can I speak to Mr. Koreiko? |
| Can I get Mr. Koreiko, please? | |
| May I speak with Mr. Koreiko, please? | Can I speak to Mr. Koreiko please? |
| Could I speak to Mr. Koreiko, please? | Can I speak to Mr. Koreiko please? |
| I'd like to speak to Mr. Koreiko, please. | I'd like to speak to Mr. Koreiko, please. |
| Is Mr. Koreiko there, please? | Tell me, please, is Mr. Koreiko there? |
| Could you put me through to Mr. Koreiko, please? | Could you put me through to Mr. Koreiko, please? |
| Could I have extension number 635? | Could you connect me to number 635? |
How to ask to wait to connect with the right person
And again the opposite situation - they call your company, and you understand that the interlocutor needs another employee. In this case, you need to ask the person not to hang up and wait for the connection. When speaking on the phone in English, depending on the specifics of your activity, the following phrases are used:
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| I"ll put him on. | I will connect you with him. |
| I'll put you through. | I'll connect you. |
| Hold the line, please. | Please stay on the line. |
| One moment please. | One minute please. |
| Please hold and I"ll put you through to his office. | Please wait and I will connect you to his office. |
| One moment, please. I'll see if Mr. Koreiko is available. | One minute please. I'll see if Mr. Koreiko can answer the phone. |
| Do you know what extension he"s on? | Do you know what line he is on (internal telephone)? |
What to do if the connection is bad
Interference on the line is the main phobia of any person who needs to conduct a conversation on the phone in English. However, do not be discouraged, a few simple phrases will help you cope with this situation. These phrases will help you out if technical problems arise:
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| Can you hear me? | You hear me? |
| I can't hear you. | I can not hear you. |
| It's a bad line. | Bad connection. |
| This line is so poor. | Very bad connection. |
| Could you please speak up a little? | Could you speak a little louder please? |
| Could you please speak a little slower? My English isn't very strong. | Could you speak a little slower please. I don't speak English very well. |
| Could you speak a bit louder, please? | Could you speak a little louder please? |
| Sorry, I didn’t quite understand that. | Sorry, I didn't quite understand what you told me. |
| Sorry, I didn't catch you. | I'm sorry, I did not catch you. |
| Could you please repeat that? | Could you repeat that? |
| I’m sorry, I didn’t get that. Could you say it again, please? | Sorry, I didn't understand what you said. Could you repeat it please? |
| Could you repeat your last phrase, please? | Could you repeat your last sentence please? |
| I’m sorry, I don’t understand. Could you repeat that, please? | Sorry, I can't understand. Could you repeat this again please? |
| Could you repeat, please, what did you say? | Could you repeat what you said? |
| Did you say Saturday 9 a.m.? | Did you say Saturday 9am? |
| You said his name was Ostap, right? | You said his name is Ostap, right? |
| Would you mind spelling that for me? | Please spell it. / Would it be difficult for you to spell it? |
| How do you spell that? | Please spell it out. |
| Could you please call me back? I think we have a bad connection. | Could you call me back? I think we have communication problems. |
| Let me read this back to you. | Let me read what I wrote down from your words (to make sure it is correct). |
| Let me repeat that just to make sure. | Let me repeat to make sure I understand everything correctly. |
Sometimes it’s not a bad connection, but a call on the other line prevents you from talking. If a call on the second line is more important than a call on the first, you can apologize to the interlocutor and ask him to put himself in your position. Use these phrases:
How to make an appointment
If you are calling a person to set up a meeting with them, use the phrase templates below. They sound polite and will help you quickly reach an agreement with your interlocutor. Use the following phrases to make an appointment:
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| I’d like to arrange an appointment. | I would like to make an appointment. |
| When is it convenient for you? | When is it convenient for you? |
| Would next Friday be okay? | Is next Friday convenient for you? |
| I could make it after five. | I can meet you after five o'clock. |
| I wonder if you would mind if I visited your office next week? | I was wondering if you would mind if I visit your office next week? |
| Shall we say 5:20 next Friday, in “Horns and hoofs’s” office? | So at 5:20 on Friday at the Horns and Hooves office? |
How to politely interrupt someone
When having a telephone conversation with a foreign partner or client, it is better not to interrupt the interlocutor, but there are times when this is necessary. You can do this politely using the following phrases:
And you will find even more similar phrases in the article “How to skillfully interrupt your interlocutor? Dealing with interruptions."
How to ask someone to tell you that you called
Have you called your foreign partners, but the person you need is not there? Ask to inform him about your call and do not forget to leave your contact information. You can politely ask for a call in the following ways:
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| Could you please tell him Ostap Bender from “Horns and hoofs” called? | Could you please tell him that Ostap Bender from “Horns and Hooves” called? |
| Could you ask him to call Ostap Bender from “Horns and hoofs” when he gets in? | Could you tell him to call Ostap Bender from Horns and Hooves when he arrives? |
| Tell him I will call tomorrow, please. | Please tell him that I will call you tomorrow. |
| Please, tell him Ostap Bender telephoned and I’ll call again at half past five. | Please tell him that Ostap Bender called. I'll call you back at 17:30. |
| Do you have a pen handy? I don't think he has my number. | Do you have a pen on hand? I don't think he has my number. |
| Thanks! My number is 777-5555, extension 13. | Thank you! My number is 777-5555, extension 13. |
| Could you ask him to call me back? | Could you ask him to call me back? |
| He can reach me at 777-5555. | He can reach me at 777-5555. |
If you would rather call the person back yourself, say the following:
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| When will he be in? | When will he be there? |
| That's okay. I'll call back later. | Everything is fine. I'll call you back later. |
How to take a message for someone
You received a call and asked to pass the phone to a colleague, but he was not there or he was busy? In this case, you need to politely inform that the person cannot answer the phone and offer to leave a message. At the same time, do not forget to specify the name of the caller, as well as his contact phone number. Learn these phrases:
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| I"ll let him know you called. | I'll tell him you called. |
| Can I take your number? | May I know your phone number? |
| What is your number? | What's your phone number? |
| Can I take your message? | May I receive your message? |
| Is there any message? | Anything to tell him? |
| I'll pass on your message. | I will pass on your message to him. |
| I"m afraid he"s out. Would you like to leave a message? | I'm afraid he's out. Would you like to leave a message? |
| I"m sorry, Ostap"s not in at the moment. Can I ask who's calling? | Unfortunately, Ostap is not there. May I know who is calling? |
| He"s on meeting right now. Who"s calling please? | He's in a meeting now. Please tell me who is calling? |
| He's busy right now. Could you please call again later? | He's busy at the moment. Could you call back later? |
| I’m sorry, he’s not available at the moment. | Unfortunately, he can't answer the phone right now. |
| I’m sorry, he is not in the office at the moment. | Unfortunately, he is not in the office right now. |
| I’m sorry, he’s on another call. | Unfortunately, he is now speaking on a different line. |
| Don’t be back in 20 minutes. | He'll be back in 20 minutes. |
| Can I take a message or shall I ask him to call you back? | Can I give him a message or ask him to call you back? |
| What message would you like to leave? | What would you like to convey to him? |
| I"ll make sure he gets the message. | I will definitely pass on your message to him. |
You can also ask the other person to call you back later using these phrases for talking on the phone in English:
How to leave a message on an answering machine
If you only get through to the answering machine, do not rush to hang up. Leave a message so that the person can call you back as soon as they are free. You can leave a simple message like this:
What message should you record for your answering machine?
Do not neglect the answering machine function in your own phone, because this option will allow you not to miss a single important call. Take 5 minutes and write down a simple text for the caller. The text might look like this.
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| Hello, this is Ostap Bender. I"m sorry I"m not available to take your call at this time. Please, leave me a message and I"ll get back to you as soon as I can. | Hello, this is Ostap Bender. I'm sorry, but I can't answer your call right now. Please leave me a message and I will call you back as soon as I can. |
| Thank you for calling. There’s no one here to take your call at the moment. Please, leave the message after the tone, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. | Thank you for calling. There is no one near the telephone who could answer your call. Please leave a message after the beep and I will call you back as soon as possible. |
| Thank you for calling “Horns and hoofs’s” office. Our hours are 9 a.m. - 9 p.m., Monday-Sunday. Please, call back during these hours, or leave the message after the tone. | Thank you for contacting the Horns and Hooves office. We work from 9 am to 9 pm from Monday to Sunday. Please call us back at work time or leave a message after the beep. |
Parting
Have you successfully talked on the phone and resolved all your issues? Then the time has come to say goodbye, and this must also be done correctly: without sentimentality and politely. You can say goodbye to your interlocutor like this:
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| It's been nice to talk to you. | It was a pleasure talking with you. |
| I hope to have been of help to you. | I hope I was able to help you. |
| Have a nice day. | All the best. |
| Thanks for calling. Bye for now. | Thank you for your call. Goodbye. |
| Thanks for calling. Goodbye. | Thank you for calling. Goodbye. |
| Bye, Mr. Koreiko. | Goodbye, Mr. Koreiko. |
| Goodbye, Mr. Koreiko. | Goodbye, Mr. Koreiko. |
To see and hear what a telephone conversation in English looks like in practice, we recommend watching the following video:
Successful conversation on the phone in English: general tips
1. Write a conversation plan in advance
If you are going to call your partner or client abroad, your task is simplified because you can think in advance about what you will talk about and what words and phrases to use. Don’t be lazy to write down a brief outline of your conversation on paper, this way you will kill not even two, but three birds with one stone: study the phrases while writing them, compose the most accurate and full plan conversation and save yourself nerves, because during the conversation you will know what to say and when to say it.
2. Try rehearsing the dialogue
To sound confident, try speaking the dialogue several times in front of a mirror or on the phone with a friend. This will help you remember phrases faster, and you won’t have to refer to your plan during a conversation.
And if you're learning a language online, try studying with your teacher without a camera. This will be a complete simulation of a telephone conversation. Try acting out a dialogue with your teacher using your plan. If you practice this way at least a few times, then when communicating on the phone it will be easier for you to understand the person on the other end of the line.
3. Don't worry
Anxiety affects understanding in the same way as poor communication: if you listen to the interference (or the inner voice that says you won’t understand anything), it will interfere with you, but if you don’t pay attention to it, you will be able to understand the interlocutor . The more relaxed you are about speaking on the phone in English, the easier it will be for both you and the person on the other end of the line.
4. Maintain a formal communication style
The formal style of communication differs from the usual conversational style. We communicate with business partners politely, avoiding slang, word abbreviations, etc. You can read more about the features of the formal style of English.
5. Be as polite as possible.
The concept of “politeness” in our country and abroad is quite different. Pay attention to the phrase templates we have proposed: almost every one of them contains the construction “Could you please”, every sentence contains the word “please”. Moreover, when translated into Russian, the word “please” does not even always logically fit into the phrase. To us this sounds like obsessive politeness. In English sentences, you must use words like “please” and “thank you”, otherwise you may seem rude to your interlocutor.
6. Keep an electronic dictionary handy
Are you unable to understand some word that plays an important role in your partner's speech? Ask your partner to spell the word and look up its meaning in a dictionary. It is impossible to learn all the words in the English dictionary, so your partner will react normally to the request to repeat the word. So before every business conversation on the phone in English, turn on your computer and open one of the electronic dictionaries.
7. Ask to repeat what you didn’t understand
Remember, even when we have a telephone conversation in Russian, sometimes we do not understand the interlocutor or cannot hear some words due to a poor connection. In this case, without a shadow of embarrassment, we ask the interlocutor to repeat what was said. What prevents us from doing the same when talking on the phone in English? Your partner or client understands that you are speaking a foreign language, so they will calmly respond to the request to repeat a phrase.
8. Develop your listening skills
The more often you listen to foreign speech, the faster you will get used to it and begin to understand (if you also study grammar and new words). Therefore, listen to podcasts and audiobooks, watch videos and news in English. You can test your listening comprehension of the language and at the same time listen to samples of telephone dialogues in English on the Simple English website. Select one of the dialogues, turn on the audio recording and try to insert the missing words into the exercise under dictation. And also read our articles “” and “”.
9. Work on your pronunciation and intonation
Take care not only of yourself, but also of your interlocutor. Try to speak clearly, take your time, pronounce words and sounds correctly. Fluent speech is good in normal conversation, but not in dialogue on the phone with business partners. It would be ideal if you try to adapt to the pace of speech of your interlocutor, in which case you will be “on the same wavelength” with him. If you know that your pronunciation is not yet perfect and you may not be understood, speak at an average pace. A measured pace of speech will allow your interlocutor to understand you and give your words a confident sound. Be sure to read the article "". Watch your intonation: speak confidently, but in a calm, friendly tone.
10. Learn useful phrases for communication
The phrases that we presented in the article are excellent “blanks” for your speech. It is best to learn them by heart, so that when you call you do not have to choose words, but speak in patterns that are already familiar to you.
11. Read examples of dialogues in English on the phone
To see how the phrases you've learned work in natural conversation, study examples of telephone conversations, for example, on the official BBC website. On the pages of the resource you will see several examples of telephone dialogues on various topics and take a test on your knowledge of “telephone” vocabulary.
12. Learn professional vocabulary
To leave a positive impression of yourself after a conversation, study not only the phrases we present, but also the professional vocabulary of your field of activity. Understanding between you and your interlocutor will arise when you speak the same language both literally and figuratively.
Full list of phrases for download
We have compiled a document for you that will make it easier for you to conduct a dialogue over the phone. You can download it from the link below.
(*.pdf, 292 Kb)
Now you know how to successfully conduct a telephone conversation in English. Practice listening, learn the phrases we suggest in English for dialogue on the phone and improve your pronunciation, then the interlocutor will understand you, and you will understand him. We wish you successful telephone conversations!
And if you want to thoroughly study business English with a competent teacher, we suggest studying in. Our teachers will help you master business style in communicating in English, teach you to understand the speech of your interlocutor and speak so that you are understood.