Common phrases used when making a phone call in English

As a business English tutor, I know that for many students, making a phone call in English can be daunting when you are nervous about making mistakes in English, but it can be really simple!

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Here are a few common phrasal verbs used when on the phone, with examples of sentences:

1. Call back - to return a phone call.
   Example - "I will call back later."
2. Speak up - asking someone to speak louder if you can't hear properly due to a bad connection.
   Example - "Can you please speak up? I can't hear you!"
3. Cut off - when the connection is lost and the phone call ends abruptly.
   Example - "The phone cut off just as I was about to tell you what happened in the office yesterday."
4. Hang up - to end a phone call.
   Example - "I am going to hang up now as I have a meeting to attend."
5. Pick up - to answer the phone.
   Example - "I called several times but he didn't pick up."
6. Break up - when the connection is poor and you can´t hear the other person well, potentially causing the call to end.
   Example - "The connection may break up soon as I am about to get into an elevator."

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3 tips for making business phone calls:

1. Be an active listener: Make sure that the person on the other end of the phone has your full attention and show genuine interest in what they are saying. Pay attention and ask questions for clarification if there is something you don't understand. The person on the other end of the phone can usually tell if you're distracted or uninterested in what they're saying.

2. Speak clearly and professionally: Speak clearly and enunciate your words to make sure that your message is easily understood. Keep it as professional as you can and avoid using slang.

3. Prepare and be organised: Before answering the phone, ensure that you have all the information or documents that you need. Make sure that you know exactly what you want to speak about. This will help you come across as confident and knowledgeable.

If you are learning English as a foreign langauge and you would like a private tutor particularly for learning business English, please feel free to get in touch for more information.