When telephoning

Introducing yourself

• This is Ken.
• Ken speaking

Asking who is on the telephone

• Excuse me, who is this?
• Can I ask who is calling, please?

Asking for Someone

• Can I have extension 321? (extensions are internal numbers at a company)
• Could I speak to...? (Can I - more informal / May I - more formal)
• Is Jack in? (informal idiom meaning: Is Jack in the office?

Connecting Someone

• I'll put you through (put through - phrasal verb meaning 'connect')
• Can you hold the line? Can you hold on a moment?

How to reply when someone is not available

• I'm afraid ... is not available at the moment
• The line is busy... (when the extension requested is being used)
• Mr Jackson isn't in... Mr Jackson is out at the moment...

Taking a Message

• Could (Can, May) I take a message?
• Could (Can, May) I tell him who is calling?
• Would you like to leave a message?