People spend a lot of time talking on the phone. Phone calls will be different depending on the situation. For example, a group of friends will use different language on the phone than business associates. Watch two phone conversations to learn how to use both formal and informal English on the phone.
Here are the scripts with some explanations:
Informal Call:
A: Hello.
B: Hey is Sasha there?
A: Uh, yeah. Who’s this?
B: It’s Pip.
A: Hang on just a second (wait a minute), Pip… Sasha, phone’s for you.
C: Who is it?
A: It’s Pip.
C: Hey, what’s up (slang way to say “What are you doing?”)
B: Nothing. Just chillin‘ (relaxing) at home. How bout you?
C: Just hanging out.
B: You wanna grab a bite (go out for food)?
C: Sure, what were you thinking?
B: Let’s just go out and find something. I’m down for whatever (I’ll eat anything).
C: Sounds good… I’m starving (really hungry).
B: Meet ya down there in ten (minutes)?
C: Cool see ya then .
B: Later.
Formal Call:
A: Good afternoon, this is Rachel. How may I help you?
B: Hello. Is Mr. Savinov available?
A: May I ask who’s calling?
B: My name is Mr. Wilson. I’m calling in regards to our meeting this week.
A: Would you mind holding for a minute, Mr. Wilson?
B: Not at all.
A: Thanks so much.
C: Hello.
A: Mr. Savinov, you have a phone call from a Mr. Wilson about a meeting this week.
C: Great. Put him through (transfer the call to me). Hello, Mr. Wilson. What can I do for you?
B: Hi, Mr. Savinov. I was just calling to confirm the details of our meeting. What’s a good time for you?
A: Well I’m pretty swamped (very busy) tomorrow. How about 10 o’clock on Friday?
B: I may not be able to make it at ten. Would 10:30 be OK?
A: Sure that works for me. I’ll pencil you in (put you on my schedule) for 10:30 on Friday.
B: Great. I’m looking forward to it. See you soon.
A: Sure… thanks for calling. Take care (have a nice day).
Sasha is an English teacher, writer, photographer, and videographer from the great state of Michigan. Upon graduating from Michigan State University, he moved to China and spent 5+ years living, working, studying, and traveling there. He also studied Indonesian Language & Culture in Bali for a year. He and his wife run the travel blog Grateful Gypsies, and they're currently trying the digital nomad lifestyle across Latin America.
Comments:
sam:
You guys need to post for both formal and informal ways of saying each conversation so that people learning English can better understand .
AGOSU THEOPHILUS:
@sam You are a fulfilled man because you utilised all your God given talent. It will be more glorious if repent of all your sins and accept Jesus as your saviour if you are saved already glory be to God for you. you are blessed. psalm 32:1-3.
sasha:
Thanks for your comment, Sam. I’m not sure what you mean, though. The script for both phone calls is included in the post. They are basically the same, only one is formal and one is informal (for work/between friends).
Gaurav:
Great ! Thanks for posting.
mariam sana:
Nice! Thanks. But et seems there ils a confusion in thé lettres . Towards thé end dialogue is between B and C, ont B and A.
Dipu:
Great. Please add some more conversations.
V.Manjunatha:
Its good. The phone convesation example for both formal & infomal is good. Easy way to teach!thank you. I am teaching english to kids at my village school. It will be of good use .I am from India & I am a civil engineer.Teaching at school is part of my social responsibility.
sasha:
@V.Manjunatha That’s great! I’m very happy you enjoyed it and I hope your students find it useful as well. I will try to make more conversational videos. I didn’t realize how popular this one is! I checked it after your comment and it’s one of our most viewed videos.
Comments:
sam:
You guys need to post for both formal and informal ways of saying each conversation so that people learning English can better understand .
AGOSU THEOPHILUS:
@sam You are a fulfilled man because you utilised all your God given talent. It will be more glorious if repent of all your sins and accept Jesus as your saviour if you are saved already glory be to God for you. you are blessed. psalm 32:1-3.
sasha:
Thanks for your comment, Sam. I’m not sure what you mean, though. The script for both phone calls is included in the post. They are basically the same, only one is formal and one is informal (for work/between friends).
Gaurav:
Great ! Thanks for posting.
mariam sana:
Nice! Thanks. But et seems there ils a confusion in thé lettres . Towards thé end dialogue is between B and C, ont B and A.
Dipu:
Great. Please add some more conversations.
V.Manjunatha:
Its good. The phone convesation example for both formal & infomal is good. Easy way to teach!thank you. I am teaching english to kids at my village school. It will be of good use .I am from India & I am a civil engineer.Teaching at school is part of my social responsibility.
sasha:
@V.Manjunatha That’s great! I’m very happy you enjoyed it and I hope your students find it useful as well. I will try to make more conversational videos. I didn’t realize how popular this one is! I checked it after your comment and it’s one of our most viewed videos.