Answering the phone
- Hello, Priya speaking. (at work, say your name)
- Hi, this is Ahmed from Brightside Plumbing. (when you call someone)
- Is now a good time to talk?
When you didn't catch something
These are completely normal. Native speakers use them all the time.
- Sorry, could you say that again?
- Sorry, you're breaking up a bit. Could you repeat the last part?
- Could you spell that for me, please?
- Just to confirm, that's Thursday the 14th at 2 pm?
Repeating key details back is the single best habit for phone calls. It catches mistakes before they cause problems.
Leaving a voicemail
Hi Sarah, it's Minh Tran calling about the warehouse role. I'd love to have a chat about it. You can reach me on 555 0134. Again, that's Minh Tran, on 555 0134. Thanks, and have a good day.
Say your name and number twice, slowly.
When a recruiter calls
Recruiters often call without warning. If it's not a good time: Thanks for calling. I'm just in the middle of something. Could I call you back in 20 minutes? That's perfectly professional.
Practise your phone voice
Use our speaking recorder to practise answers out loud and check your pauses, the same skill that helps in PTE and IELTS speaking.
Frequently asked questions
How do I answer the phone at work?
Greet, say your name and organisation: 'Good morning, ABC Plumbing, this is Sam.'
What if I don't understand the caller?
Ask politely: 'Sorry, could you say that again?' or 'Could you spell that, please?'
How do I leave a voicemail?
Say your name, why you're calling, your number (slowly, twice) and when you're available.