Phone Call
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EN: When introducing yourself on the phone, use 'This is [Name]' instead of 'I am [Name]'.
Hello, this is Mary.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, it is standard to identify yourself immediately when making a phone call, especially in a professional or semi-formal context.
EN: When introducing yourself on the phone, use 'This is [Name]' instead of 'I am [Name]'.
Hi, this is Mary.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, it is standard telephone etiquette to identify yourself immediately after the initial greeting.
EN: Use 'How are you?' as a standard greeting to ask about someone's well-being. The verb 'are' matches the subject 'you'.
How are they?
EN: In English-speaking cultures, 'How are you?' is often a polite greeting rather than a deep inquiry into someone's health. A short, positive answer is expected.
EN: Use 'I am' followed by an adjective to describe your current state or feelings.
I am happy.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, responding to 'How are you?' with 'I am good' or 'Fine' is a standard polite social script, even if you are not feeling perfect.
EN: Use the pattern 'Subject + need + Object' to express a requirement or necessity.
I need some water.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, being direct about needing help is common and polite, especially when followed by 'please' or a specific request.
EN: Use 'What do you + verb' to ask about someone's needs, desires, or actions in the present simple tense.
What do you want?
EN: In English-speaking business culture, 'Sure!' is a common, friendly way to agree to help someone, making the speaker sound approachable.
EN: Use 'want to' followed by a basic verb to express a desire or intention to do something.
I want to eat an apple.
EN: In English, 'Mr.' is used with the person's last name (Lee) to show respect, especially in a professional or formal setting.
EN: To make a sentence negative with the verb 'to be' (am, is, are), simply add 'not' after the verb.
She is not a teacher.
EN: In a professional context, if someone is 'not here,' it is polite to offer to take a message or transfer the call to voicemail, as seen in the dialogue.
EN: Use 'too' before an adjective (like 'bad') to mean 'more than enough' or to add emphasis to a negative feeling.
The coffee is too hot.
EN: In English, 'That is too bad' is a common way to show empathy when someone gives you disappointing news. It doesn't always mean something is 'evil' or 'terrible'; it often just means 'I'm sorry to hear that.'
EN: Use 'Can I...?' to ask for permission or to offer help in a polite but friendly way.
Can I help you?
EN: In business calls, it is polite to ask before putting someone on hold. 'On hold' refers to the state where the caller waits while the line remains active.
EN: Use 'can' before a verb to show that you are able to do something or agree to do something.
I can wait for you.
EN: In business phone calls, 'hold' is the standard term for staying on the line while the other person checks information or transfers the call. It is more polite than saying 'I will wait'.
EN: Use 'Let me + verb' to offer help or tell someone what you are about to do.
Let me help you.
EN: In a business context, 'Let me check' is a standard, polite way to ask for a moment to find information.
EN: Use 'will' followed by a base verb to talk about things you decide to do at the moment of speaking.
I will help you.
EN: In business contexts, saying 'I will wait' or 'I can hold' is a standard way to show patience while a receptionist checks for someone.
EN: Use 'Thank you for' followed by a verb ending in '-ing' to express gratitude for a specific action.
Thank you for helping me.
EN: In Western business culture, acknowledging someone's time is considered very polite. Using 'Thank you for waiting' is more positive than saying 'Sorry for the wait'.
EN: This is a common fixed expression used to respond to 'Thank you' or to show agreement. It functions as a complete sentence in casual conversation.
No problem, I can help you.
EN: In American English, 'No problem' is very common as a response to 'Thank you,' similar to 'You're welcome.' It implies that the favor was not a burden.
EN: Use 'in a meeting' to describe someone's current activity or status when they are busy with work discussions.
She is in a meeting right now.
EN: In professional settings, saying someone is 'in a meeting' is a standard way to explain their unavailability without giving too much detail.
EN: Use 'Can you + verb' to ask someone to do something for you politely.
Can you help me?
EN: In business settings, 'transfer' is the standard term for moving a phone call to another person or department.
EN: Use 'cannot' (or 'can't') before a verb to say that someone is unable to do something or something is not possible.
I cannot see the screen.
EN: In professional phone etiquette, if you cannot transfer a call, it is polite to offer an alternative like leaving a message or calling back later.
EN: Use 'Can I' at the beginning of a sentence to ask for permission or to make a polite request.
Can I help you?
EN: In Western business culture, leaving a voicemail is a standard way to communicate when someone is unavailable. It is expected to be brief and include your name and reason for calling.
EN: Use 'can' to give permission or say that something is possible.
You can use my pen.
EN: In Western business culture, leaving a voicemail is a standard way to communicate when someone is unavailable. It is expected to be brief and include your name and number.
EN: Use 'will' to talk about a decision you just made or a future action.
I will call you later.
EN: In business phone calls, 'I will do that' is a polite way to confirm you accept the other person's suggestion, such as leaving a message.
EN: To ask a question with a regular verb like 'want', we put 'Do' at the beginning of the sentence.
Do you want a coffee?
EN: In business contexts, offering a 'callback' is a polite way to handle a situation where the intended person is unavailable, showing that you value the caller's time.
EN: Use 'want' followed by a noun to express a desire for something.
I want a cup of coffee.
EN: In business contexts, 'Yes, please' is the standard polite way to accept an offer. Saying just 'Yes' can sometimes sound too blunt.
EN: Use 'What is...' to ask for specific information like names, numbers, or facts.
What is your name?
EN: In English-speaking countries, phone numbers are often given in groups of digits (e.g., 555, then 1234) to make them easier to remember.
EN: Use 'It is' to introduce information like phone numbers, time, or weather.
It is 5 o'clock.
EN: In English, the number '0' in phone numbers is often pronounced as the letter 'O'. Also, '555' is a prefix commonly used in fictional phone numbers in movies and TV shows to avoid using real people's numbers.
EN: Use 'will' followed by a base verb to talk about future actions or promises.
I will help you.
EN: In business contexts, 'call you back' is a standard polite way to promise a return phone call when someone is currently unavailable.
EN: Use 'Thank you' followed by a person's name to show polite appreciation directly to them.
Thank you, Sarah.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, it is common and polite to use the other person's first name even in professional settings once a conversation has started.
EN: Use 'Goodbye' followed by a person's name to end a conversation politely.
Goodbye, Sarah!
EN: In English, it is very common and friendly to include the person's name when saying hello or goodbye.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
To make someone wait on the telephone line.
To return a telephone call.
To record a spoken message for someone who did not answer their phone.
Used as a friendly response to thanks.
To keep a telephone caller connected to the line while they wait for someone to speak with them.
To redirect a telephone call from one person or extension to another.
A return telephone call made to someone who has previously called.
An electronic system which can store messages from telephone callers.