Typical telephone language

1. [Match]

See if you can pick out in which phrases these meanings occur.

(I’m afraid I’m tied up all day = busy
Something important has come up = happened unexpectedly.
Could you put me through to Mr Jenner, please? = connect ….
Her line’s busy = occupied
Could you make an interview next week? = are you available for
The line’s very faint = difficult to hear
Would you mind speaking up a bit, please? = speaking more loudly
Could you get back to me later today, please? = ring me back
Can I take a message? = pass on some information you want to convey to someone else
We were cut off yesterday = disconnected
I didn’t catch your name = hear
Could you bear with me for a minute, please? = wait and be patient.
We have a crossed line = two lines are active at the same time.
Do you want to hold? = wait until you can go ahead
I’ll hang up = put the receiver down
Do you need to read that back to me? = repeat that
)

Answers for Quiz [1].

• 1. I’m afraid I’m tied up all day. (correct)
• 2. Something important has come up. (correct)
• 3. Could you put me through to Mr Jenner, please? (correct)
• 4. Her line’s busy. (correct)
• 5. Could you make an interview next week? (correct)
• 6. The line’s very faint. (correct)
• 8. Would you mind speaking up a bit, please? (correct)
• 8. Could you get back to me later today, please? (correct)
• 9. Can I take a message? (correct)
• 10. We were cut off yesterday. (correct)
• 11. I didn’t catch your name. (correct)
• 12. Could you bear with me for a minute, please? (correct)
• 13. We have a crossed line. (correct)
• 14. Do you want to hold? (correct)
• 15. I’ll hang up and try again. (correct)
• 16. Do you need to read that back to me? (correct)