- Hello, could I speak to Barry O’Toole, please ?

- I’m afraid he’s not at his desk at present. Can I take a message ?

- Yes, please. Would you mind telling him that Gloria Norris called? My number is 0208544 9733.

- Thank you, I’ll make sure he gets the message.

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Style: professional and business-like

Notes:

1. Hello, could I speak to…please? = Hello, would it be possible to speak to…, please? (more formal)
2. I’m afraid (more formal) = I’m sorry, but
3. he’s not at his desk = he is away from his desk / he is not here
4. at present (more formal) = now
5. Can I take a message? = Would you like to leave a message?
6. Would you mind telling him…? (more formal) = Could you please tell him…?
7. he gets the message = he receives the message (more formal)

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Audio file name: DailyStep-3_telephone-business-002_01

- Hi Barry, there was a call for you earlier while you were at lunch.

- Who was it ?

- It was Gloria Norris. She left her number for you to call her back. It’s on your desk.

- Thanks for taking the message. I’ll give her a call now.  

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Style: professional and business-like

Notes:

1. there was a call for you earlier  = someone called you earlier today
2. you were at lunch = you were away for your lunch break
3. She left her number  = She gave me her number
4. to call her back  (phrasal verb) = to return her call (more formal)
5. I’ll give her a call  = I’ll call her / I will telephone her

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Audio file name: DailyStep-3_telephone-business-002_02

- Hello, I’m calling to speak to Sandra Berry.

- Sorry, I think you have come through to the wrong department. Which department is Sandra in ?

- I believe she is in the Legal department, but I’m not sure.

- I’ll transfer you back to the switchboard. They’ll be able to tell you.

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Style: professional and business-like

Notes:

1. Hello, I’m calling to speak to Sandra Berry. = I would like to speak to Sandra Berry.
2. you have come through (phrasal verb) = you have been transferred (more formal)
3. I’ll transfer you back = I will send your call back
4. the switchboard = the place where all the telephone calls come in and are transferred to other part of the company

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Audio file name: DailyStep-3_telephone-business-002_03

- Hello, could I speak to Brendan O’Connell, please ?

- Speaking.

- Oh, hello Brendan. It’s Maria Carter here, calling from Slater’s Ltd. I believe you called me earlier.

- Hello Maria, thank you for calling back. The reason I was calling was to ask if you’ve had a chance to look through the report I emailed you on Tuesday.

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Style: professional and business-like

Notes:

1. Speaking. = This is him speaking
2. you called me earlier. = you telephoned me earlier today (more formal)
3. thank you for calling back = thank you for returning my call
4. The reason I was calling was to ask if… = I was calling to ask whether…
5. you’ve had a chance = you have had time / you have had the opportunity
6. to look through the report = to read the report
7. the report I emailed you (omitting the relative pronoun ‘that’ or ‘which’) = the report that/which I emailed you

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Audio file name: DailyStep-3_telephone-business-002_04

- Hello, I’m calling to speak to someone in the Accounts department.

- Of course. Could I take your name, please ?

- Yes, it’s Frederick Hopper, calling from Davis Construction Limited.

- Thank you, Mr Hopper. One moment please, I’ll just put you through now.

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Style: professional and business-like

Notes:

1. Hello, I’m calling to speak to someone in the Accounts department. = Hello, could I speak to a person in the Accounts department please?
2. Could I take your name, please? = Please give me your name
3. One moment please = Please wait for a moment
4. I’ll just put you through (phrasal verb) now. = I will connect you now / I will transfer you now

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Audio file name: DailyStep-3_telephone-business-002_05