Useful Telephone Dialogues in English with Examples (PDF)

Telephone conversations in English can be tricky, especially if you’re not familiar with common telephone dialogues used in different contexts. This guide provides a carefully selected list of essential phrases to help you navigate any phone call. These dialogues will help you in a business meeting, a customer service inquiry or a casual chat with a friend.

Starting a Phone Call

Answering the Phone

Here are some common ways to answer the phone in formal and informal situations:

Formal:

• • “Good morning, ABC Limited. This is Alex speaking. How can I assist you?”
  • “Hello, this is Lisa from the Finance Department. How may I help you today?”

Informal:

• • “Hi, it’s George. What’s up?”
  • “Hey, it’s Lisa calling. How are things?”

Introducing Yourself (Caller)

Formal:

• • “My name is Francis Cripps. I work for JUPG PLC.”
  • “Hello, this is Julie Madison calling from Bright Communications.”

Informal:

• • “Hey Alex, it’s Francis again. Just wanted to follow up on that report.”
  • “Hi there, it’s Gerry from the dentist’s office.”

Small Talk Before Getting to Business

• “How’s your week going so far?”
• “Did you have a good weekend?”
• “I heard that the weather’s been really nice there. Is that true?”

These phrases are particularly useful for building rapport in both business and social calls.

Phrases for the Body of a Phone Call

Asking to Speak with Someone

Formal:

• • “May I speak with Mr. Green, please?”
  • “Could you connect me to the Shipping Department?”

Informal:

• • “Is Jackson there?”
  • “Can I talk to your sister?”

Connecting Someone to the Right Person

Formal:

• • “Please hold while I transfer your call.”
  • “I’ll check if she’s available. One moment, please.”

Informal:

• • “Just a sec, I’ll get him.”
  • “Hang on, I’ll put you through.”

Making Special Requests

Formal:

• • “Could you please repeat that for me?”
  • “Would you mind spelling that for me?”

Informal:

• • “Can you speak up a bit?”
  • “Can you call me back? I think the line’s bad.”

Ending a Phone Call

Wrapping Up the Conversation

Formal:

• • “Thank you for your time. I’ll send the information by the end of the day.”
  • “That’s been really helpful, thanks. I’ll speak to you soon.”

Informal:

• • “Okay, talk to you later!”
  • “Catch you later. Bye!”

Confirming Details Before Hanging Up

• “Can I just confirm your email address?”
• “I’ll make sure he gets your message.”

Polite Sign-Offs

Formal:

• • “Thank you for your call. Have a great day!”
  • “I look forward to hearing from you.”

Informal:

• • “Thanks, talk to you soon!”
  • “Bye for now!”

Telephone Dialogues for Formal and Informal Settings

Formal Dialogue Example:

Caller:
“Good afternoon, this is Sarah Brown calling from TechCorp. Could I speak to someone in the IT department?”

Receiver:
“Certainly, please hold while I transfer your call.”

Caller:
“Thank you.”

Receiver:
“You’re welcome. One moment, please.”

Informal Dialogue Example:

Caller:
“Hey Tom, it’s Lisa. Are you free for a quick chat?”

Receiver:
“Hey Lisa, sure! What’s up?”

Caller:
“I wanted to ask if you’re still on for the meeting tomorrow?”

Receiver:
“Yeah, all set. Let’s meet at the usual spot.”

Caller:
“Perfect. See you then!”

Downloadable PDF Content

For a deeper dive into telephone conversations, you can download our FREE eBook. This practice material, including model dialogues, useful tips, and much more to help you perfect your telephoning skills in English.

Telephone Conversation Dialogues PDF – download

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I answer the phone professionally?

Always start by identifying your company and yourself. For example:
“Good morning, this is Alex Case from ABC Limited. How may I assist you?”

What are some common phrases for ending a call politely?

Some great phrases for wrapping up a conversation include:

• “Thanks for your help today. I’ll be in touch soon.”
• “It’s been great talking to you. Take care and have a great day.”
• “I appreciate your time. I’ll follow up with an email shortly.”
• “Thank you for the call. I look forward to our next conversation.”

How can I politely ask someone to repeat something?

To request clarification or repetition in a courteous manner, use these phrases:

• “I’m sorry, could you please repeat that?”
• “Could you clarify that point for me?”
• “Would you mind going over that again, please?”

What’s the best way to transfer a call?

When transferring a call, remain polite and clear:

• “Please hold while I transfer your call to the Sales Department.”
• “Let me connect you with someone who can assist you further. One moment, please.”

How do I handle a difficult caller?

Maintaining professionalism is key. Use phrases such as:

• “I understand your concerns, and I’m here to help resolve the issue.”
• “Let’s see what we can do to fix this for you.”
• “I’m sorry you’re experiencing this, let me look into it right away.”