* 27 Telephone Conversations (p.2 of 2)
27.7�� When you put a caller on hold
Just a moment, please.�� Listen�� <�Hello. �Italian pizza�. Just a moment please.�>
Just a minute, please.�� Listen�� <�Just a minute, please. Stay on the line.�>
He's on another line. Will you hold?�� Listen�� A �Do you mind if I put your phone call on hold until the person you want to talk with is available?��� (used with will or can or could)�� < � �Yes, please.�>
Would you like to hold?�� Listen�� <� �Does he have voice mail? Can I leave a message?�>
Please hold.�� Listen�� A �Please wait on the telephone and don�t hang up.��� <�Please hold�, said the operator.>
Hold the line, please.�� Listen�� <�I�m going to switch you over to Mr. Johnson�s secretary. Hold the line, please.�>
Hold on.�� Listen�� <�Hold on. I�ll be with you in minute.�>
Hold on a minute.�� Listen�� <�I�m looking for the information you requested. Hold on a minute.�>
Hold on for a second.�� Listen�� <�Can you tell me your sister�s phone number?� � �Hold on for a second. I need to look it up.�>
27.8�� When a caller has been put on hold
Whom are you holding for?�� Listen�� < � �I�m holding for Mr. Johnson. I would like to ask him a technical question.�>
Are you being helped?�� Listen�� A �Is there anybody on our side assisting you already with your business?��� < � �No. I�ve been waiting for a few minutes. May I leave a message for Mr. Johnson?�>
How can I help you?�� Listen�� A �How do you want me to assist you?��� <�This is Mark Johnson. How can I help you?�>
May I help you?�� Listen�� A �Can I assist you with your business?��� (used with can or may or could)�� <�How long have you been waiting? May I help you?�>
27.9�� When you take a message from a caller
He's not in. May I take a message?�� Listen�� (used with can or may or could)�� <�Can I talk to Bob?� � �He�s not in. May I take a message?�>
He is away from his desk. May I take a message?�� Listen�� A �Can I write down your message for this particular person who is not available?��� (used with can or may or could)�� <�Hello. Is Mr. Brown there?� � �He�s away from his desk. Can I take a message?�>
27.10�� When you offer help to a caller
What can I do for you?�� Listen�� <�Mark Johnson is not in the office today. What can I do for you?�>
Could I help you?�� Listen�� (used with can or may or could)�� <�Hello. Thank you for holding. Could I help you?�>
I would be happy to try to answer your question.�� Listen�� <�Unfortunately, the people you want to talk to aren�t available at the moment. I would be happy to try to answer your question.�>
Is there anyone else who could help you?�� Listen�� <�Mr. Johnson is on a business meeting. Is there anyone else who could help you?�>
Could I have someone call you back?�� Listen�� (used with can or may or could)�� <�Both Josh and Hank aren�t here now. Could I have someone call you back?�>
27.11�� When you make a pause in a telephone call for other business
Hang on a moment.�� Listen�� A �Wait for a minute.��� <�Bob, hang on a moment. My colleague wants to tell me something important.�>
Hang on a second.�� Listen�� <�Hang on a second. There is a loud noise outside. OK, it�s over. Go on.�>
Just a moment, I have another call.�� Listen�� <�Just a moment, I have another call. I�ll be right with you.�>
Just a minute, hold on.�� Listen�� <�Just a moment, hold on. I have just received the information you asked me about.�>
27.12�� When you ask a person who first answered a call the name of a caller
Who�s on the phone?�� Listen�� A �Before I take the phone, I want to know who is calling.��� <�Bob, it�s for you.� � �Who�s on the phone?� � �It�s Fred.�>
Who�s on the line?�� Listen�� <�Mr. Johnson, pick up line one, please.� � �Who�s on the line?� � �Mr. James Smith. He�s saying he�s your customer.�>
Who�s there?�� Listen�� < � �A credit card company.� � �Tell them I�m busy.�>
27.13�� When you have to end a telephone conversation
My other line is ringing. I'll call you back.�� Listen�� < � �Sure. No problem. Bye�>
I can�t talk to you right now. I'll call back later.�� Listen�� < � �OK. Bye.�>
Something has come up. I'll call again later.�� Listen�� <�My husband is returning home. I�ll call again later.� � �Sure. Bye�>
My doorbell is ringing. Can we continue this later?�� Listen�� A �Can we go on with this conversation at a later time?��� (used with can or may or could)�� <�I have to return to my work. Can we continue this later?� � �Yes, of course. Bye�>
I have to go now. Can I call you back?�� Listen�� (used with can or may or could)�� <�I�ve got to run, sorry. Can I call you back?�>
I have to get off the phone. Thank you for calling.�� Listen�� A �I appreciate your helpful phone call.��� <�I just wanted to check on you.� � �I�m fine. Thank you for calling.�>
27.14�� When a caller seems to have gotten an incorrect telephone number
What number are you calling?�� Listen�� A �What phone number are you trying to reach?��� <�Hello, may I please speak with Cindy?� � �We don�t have anyone with the name Cindy here. What number are you calling?� � �I guess I have the wrong number.�>
27.15�� When you seem to have gotten an incorrect telephone number
I got the wrong number.�� Listen�� A �I made a mistake and dialed an incorrect number.��� <�What number are you calling?� � �Sorry, I got the wrong number.� � �No problem.�>
I have the wrong number.�� Listen�� <A child answered the phone and Bill said, �I have the wrong number, sorry.�>
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