EXAMPLE CONVERSATION BETWEEN A SHOP ASSISTANT (A), CUSTOMER (B), AND CASHIER (C)

talk

A: Hi there, can I help you with anything?

B: Yes please, I’m looking for a T-shirt.

A: What size are you?

B: I’m a medium.

A: What colour would you like?

B: Maybe a blue or green one.

A: Here you are. How about these?

B: Thank you. Can I try them on anywhere?

A: Certainly, the changing room is over there.

B: Thank you.

A: How do they fit?

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B: They’re both fantastic. I really like them.

A: Yes, the blue looks nice on you, it really brings out your eye colour.

B: Thank you. I’ll buy both of them!

A: Great! Please go to the tills, and pay over there.

B: Alright, thank you for your help.

C: Who’s next please!

B: Hi there, I’d like to buy these please.

C: OK, how would you like to pay?

B: Do you take credit cards?

C: Yes, we do.

B: Okay, here’s my credit card.

C: Enter your pin number into the machine please.

B: Okay, done.

C: Thank you. Shall I put your receipt in the bag?

B: Yes please.

C: Here you go. Have a nice day!

B: Thank you, goodbye!

EXAMPLE CONVERSATION BETWEEN A CASHIER (A), AND CUSTOMER (B)

conversation

A: Are you next in the queue sir?

B: Yes, I’d like to buy this watch as a gift for my wife please.

A: Okay, would you like me to gift wrap it for you?

B: Yes please, that would be great!

A: Are you sure this is the right size for your wife?

B I’m not sure, it’s just a guess!

A: I can print a gift receipt so she doesn’t see the price, but can bring it back to change the size if she needs to. Would you
like me to do that?

B: Yes please, that would be amazing!

A: Okay, that’ll be sixty-five dollars and ninety-five cents for the watch please.

B: Can I pay by cheque please?

A: No, I’m afraid we don’t accept cheques.

B: Okay no problem, I’ll pay by debit card then.

A: Please insert your card into the machine, and then enter your PIN.

B: Okay, done.

A: Would you like me to put the gift receipt in the box with the watch?

B: Yes please, that’ll be perfect.

A: Here you go sir. Enjoy the rest of your day.

B: Thank you very much!

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THROW IN/CHUCK IN (to include in addition to something – ‘chuck’ is more informal than throw)

If you buy this laptop, I’ll chuck in a free laptop case for you.

END UP (to finally make a decision abut something, after lengthy consideration)

I couldn’t decide which one to buy, so I ended up buying both of them

COME UP (when something is approaching/arriving)

I need to buy a gift for my friend, his birthday is coming up.

TAKE UP (to choose to start doing something new)

I’m thinking of taking up the violin, could you buy one for my next birthday please?

Conversation: Most Commonly Used English Phrases on the Phone

1. Hello’

2. ‘Good Morning’

3. ‘Good Afternoon’

4. ‘This is ___ speaking’

5. ‘Could I speak to ___ please?’

6. ‘I would like to speak to ___’

7. ‘I’m trying to contact ___’

8. ‘Hello’

9. ‘Hi, it’s ___ here’

10. ‘I am trying to get in touch with ___’

11. ‘Is ___ there please?’

12. ‘Who’s calling please?’

13. ‘Who’s speaking?

14. ‘Who is it?’

15. Whom am I speaking to?

16. Could you hold on a moment please’

17. ‘Just a moment please’

18. ‘Hold the line please’

19. ‘I’ll just put you through’

20. ‘I’ll just transfer you now’

21. ‘Hold on a minute’

22. ‘Just a minute’

23. ‘Okay, wait a moment please’

24. ‘I’m afraid I can’t hear you very well’

25. ‘Would you mind speaking up a bit please?’

26. I’m afraid my English isn’t very good, could you speak slowly please?’

27. ‘Could you repeat that please?’

28. ‘Sorry, I didn’t catch that’

29. ‘Say that again please?’

30. ‘I can’t hear you very well’

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 31. ‘Sorry, this line is quite bad’

32. I’m afraid the line is busy at the moment’

33. ‘That line is engaged at the moment, could you call back later please?’

34. ‘I’m afraid ___’s busy at the moment, can I take a message?’

35. ‘I’m sorry, he’s out of the office today’

36. ‘You may have dialled the wrong number’

37. ‘I’m afraid there’s no one here by that name’

38. ‘Sorry, ___’s not here’

39. ‘___ is out at the moment’

40. ‘Can I take your name and number please?’

41. ‘Can I leave a message please?’

42. ‘Could you please ask ___ to call me back?’

43. ‘Could you spell that for me please?’

44. ‘Can I just check the spelling of that please?’

45. ‘I’ll ask him to ring you when ___ gets back’

46. ‘Could you tell ___ that I called please?’

47. ‘I’ll let ___ know that you rang’

Common Phrasal Verbs

1. hold on (means wait)

‘Could you hold on a moment please?’

2. hang on (also means wait!)(informal)

‘Could you hang on a moment please?’

3. put (a call) through (means to connect one caller to another)

‘I’m just going to put you through now.’

4. get through to (be connected to someone on the phone)

‘I can’t get through to his line at the moment, could you call back later please?’

5. hang up (means to put the receiver down)

‘I think the operator hung up on me, the line just went dead!’

6. call up (to make a telephone call) (mainly used in American English or slang)

‘I’ll call up the theatre, and find out about tickets.’

7. call back (is to return someone’s call)

‘I’ll ask him to call you back, when he gets home.’

8. pick up (means to answer a call / lift the receiver to take a call)

‘No one is picking up, maybe they’re not at home.’

9. get off (the phone)(means to stop talking on the phone)

‘When he gets off the other phone, I’ll pass on your message.’

10. get back to (someone)[means to return someone’s call]

When do you think she’ll be able to get back to me?’

11. cut off (to be disconnected abruptly during a telephone conversation)

‘I think we got cut off, I can’t hear her anymore.’

12. switch off/turn off [is to deactivate (a cell phone/mobile phone)]

‘Sorry you couldn’t get through to me. My phone was switched off, because the battery had died.’

13. speak up means (to talk louder)

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‘I’m afraid I can’t hear you very well, could you speak up a little please?’

Mary is calling her friend Michael. Since he's not home, his brother Tom is answering the phone.

Audio; Dialog 2

Hello, Tom speaking.

Hi Tom, this is Mary. Is your brother in?

No, he’s at the cinema. Can I take a message?

Yes, could you tell him to call me back, please?

Sure.

Thanks. Bye.

Bye.

Gerhard Maier is calling Mr. Brown's office. Since he's not in, Robert Smith is answering the call.

Audio; dialog 3

Good morning. Robert Smith speaking.

Good morning. This is Gerhard Maier. I would like to speak to Mr. Brown.

Oh, sorry. Mr. Brown is not here, yet.

Can you tell me when he will be in?

Probably around 4 pm.

Alright, I will call again later then. Thank you.

You’re welcome. Bye.

Bye.

Audio : dialogue 4

A: Hello, may I speak to Alice please?

B: This is she. How's it going?

A: I've been trying to call you all day.

B: Sorry about that. I was cleaning up.

A: It's okay.

B: So what were you calling me about?

A: Oh, I just wanted to see if you wanted to hang out tomorrow.

B: Sure, what did you want to do?

A: Maybe we can go see a movie or something.

B: That sounds like fun. Let's do it.

A: I'll see you tomorrow then.

B: See you then. Goodbye.

Audio : dialogue 5

A: Hi, how are you. Is Alice there?

B: Speaking. What's up?

A: Why haven't you answered the phone?

B: My bad, I had chores to do.

A: That's all right.

B: What was the reason for your call?

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A: I want to do something tomorrow with you.

B: Sounds good. What did you have in mind?

A: I was thinking about seeing a movie.

B: Okay, let's go see a movie.

A: Until then.

B: Talk to you later.

Audio : dialogue 6

A: Is Alice available?

B: You're talking to her.

A: I've called you a hundred times today.

B: I was busy doing something. I apologize.

A: No problem.

B: Did you need something?

A: Do you want to do something tomorrow?

B: Is there somewhere special you wanted to go?

A: How about a movie?

B: A movie sounds good.

A: Call me tomorrow then.

B: I will see you tomorrow.

Formal Telephone Conversation

Audio ;ECCS.1

Helen: Midtown Computer Solutions, Helen speaking. How can I help you?

Ryan: Hello, this is Ryan Bardos. May I speak with Natalie Jones, please?

Helen: One moment please – I’ll put you through.

Helen: Mr. Bardos? I’m sorry, Natalie’s in a meeting at the moment. Would you like to leave a message?

Ryan: Yes, could you ask her to call me back as soon as possible? It’s pretty urgent.

Helen: Of course. Does she have your number?

Ryan: She has my office number, but let me also give you my cell – it’s 472-555-8901.

Helen: Let me read that back to you – 472-555-8901.

Ryan: That’s right.

Helen: And could you spell your last name for me

Ryan: B as in Boston – A – R – D as in dog – O – S as in September

Helen: Okay, Mr. Bardos. I’ll give her the message.

Ryan: Thanks a lot. Bye.

Now let’s listen to the second part of the conversation, when Natalie calls Ryan back.

Ryan: Hello?

Natalie: Hi, Ryan, this is Natalie returning your call.

Ryan: Hi Natalie, thanks for getting back to me. I was calling about the shipment of keyboards for our office – we haven’t
gotten them yet.

Natalie: Oh, that’s not good – they were supposed to be delivered three days ago.

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Ryan: Exactly, and we have a new group of employees starting on Monday, so we really need those keyboards as soon as
possible.

Natalie: Okay, I’ll look into it right away – if necessary, we can send you an emergency overnight shipment.

Ryan: Thanks, Natalie, I appreciate it.

Natalie: No problem, Ryan. I’ll call you back a little later, as soon as I have more information.

Ryan: Sounds good – talk to you soon.

Natalie: Bye.

Informal Conversation

Audio ;EECS.1

Ryan: Hello?

Natalie: Hi, Ryan, this is Natalie returning your call.

Ryan: Hi Natalie, thanks for getting back to me. I was calling about the shipment of keyboards for our office – we haven’t
gotten them yet.

Natalie: Oh, that’s not good – they were supposed to be delivered three days ago.

Ryan: Exactly, and we have a new group of employees starting on Monday, so we really need those keyboards as soon as
possible.

Natalie: Okay, I’ll look into it right away – if necessary, we can send you an emergency overnight shipment.

Ryan: Thanks, Natalie, I appreciate it.

Natalie: No problem, Ryan. I’ll call you back a little later, as soon as I have more information.

Ryan: Sounds good – talk to you soon.

Natalie: Bye.

Calling Someone at Work

Caller: Hello. This is [your name]. May I speak to Ms. Sunshine, please.

Receptionist: Hold the line a moment, I'll check if she is in her office.

Caller: Thank you.

Receptionist: (after a moment) Yes, Ms. Sunshine is in. I'll put you through.

Ms. Sunshine: Hello, this is Ms. Sunshine. How can I help you?

Caller: Hello, my name is [your name], and I'm calling to inquire about the position advertised on JobSearch.com.

Ms. Sunshine: Yes, the position is still open. Could I have your name and number, please?

Caller: Certainly, My name is [your name]...

Leaving a Message

Fred: Hello. Could I speak to Jack Parkins, please?

Receptionist: Who's calling, please?

Fred: This is Fred Blinkingham. I'm a friend of Jack's.

Receptionist: Hold the line, please. I'll put your call through. (after a moment)—I'm afraid he's out at the moment. Can I
take a message?

Fred: Yes. Can you ask him to give me a call? My number is 909-345-8965

Receptionist: Could you repeat that, please?

Fred: Certainly. That's 909-345-8965

Receptionist: OK. I'll make sure Mr. Parkins gets your message.

Fred: Thank you. Goodbye.

Receptionist: Goodbye.
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Telephoning the School About Your Child
Caller 1: Good morning, Washington Grade School, this is Chris. How may I help you?

Caller 2: Good morning, this is Alice Smith, I'm calling for my daughter, Judy. She's not feeling well today.

Caller 1: I'm sorry to hear that. I hope it's not too bad.

Caller 2: No, no she has a little fever and a cough. Nothing too serious.

Caller 1: Well, I hope she feels well soon.

Caller 2: Thank you. Do you think I could get her homework for today?

Caller 1: Is there any specific class?

Caller 2: I'm especially concerned about math and science.

Caller 1: OK, is it all right for me to give your email address to the teachers? They can then send the homework along later
today.

Caller 2: That would be great. Do you have my e-mail on file?

Caller 1: Just a moment... We have chrisp@gmail.com. Is that correct?

Caller 2: Yes, that is correct.

Caller 1: OK, I'll make sure Mr. Brown and Ms. White get your message and email.

Caller 2: Thank you very much.

Caller 1: I hope Judy feels well soon.

Caller 2: She should be fine by tomorrow. Thanks for your help.

Caller 1: My pleasure, have a nice day.

Caller 2: Thank you. Goodbye.

Caller 1: Goodbye.

Making a Doctor's Appointment

Caller 1: Dr. Peterson's office. How may I help you?

Caller 2: I'd like to make an appointment to see the doctor.

Caller 1: Certainly, are you ill at the moment?

Caller 2: Yes, I'm not feeling very well.

Caller 1: Do you have a fever or any other symptoms?

Caller 2: Yes, I have a slight fever and aches and pains.

Caller 1: OK, Dr. Peterson can see you tomorrow. Can you come in the morning?

Caller 2: Yes, tomorrow morning is fine.

Caller 1: How about 10 o'clock?

Caller 2: Yes, 10 o'clock is fine.

Caller 1: May have your name?

Caller 2: Yes, it's David Lain.

Caller 1: Have you seen Dr. Peterson before?

Caller 2: Yes, I had a physical exam last year.

Caller 1: Yes, here you are. OK, I've scheduled for 10 o'clock tomorrow morning.

Caller 2: Thank you.

Caller 1: Drink plenty of warm fluids and get a good night's sleep.

Caller 2: Thank you. I'll do my best. Goodbye.

Caller 1: Goodbye.

Making a Dinner Reservation

Caller 1: Good Evening Brown's Grill. How may I help you?

Caller 2: Hello, I'd like to make a dinner reservation for Friday.

Caller 1: Certainly, I'd be happy to help you with that. How many people are there in your party?
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Caller 2: There'll be four people.

Caller 1: And what time would you like to make a reservation?

Caller 2: Let's say at 7 o'clock.

Caller 1: I'm afraid we don't have anything available then. We could seat you at 6 o'clock or 8 o'clock.

Caller 2: Oh, OK. Let's make the reservation for 8 o'clock.

Caller 1: Fine, 8 o'clock on Friday evening for four people. May I have your name?

Caller 2: Yes, it's Anderson.

Caller 1: Is that Anderson with an "e" or an "o"?

Caller 2: Anderson with an "o."

Caller 1: Thank you. Great. I have a table for four for the Anderson party at 8 o'clock on Friday evening.

Caller 2: Thank you very much.

Caller 1: You're welcome. We'll see you on Friday.

Caller 2: Yes, see you then. Goodbye.

Caller 1: Goodbye.

Greeting
Audio : dialogue 7

A: Hi, how are you doing?

B: I'm fine. How about yourself?

A: I'm pretty good. Thanks for asking.

B: No problem. So how have you been?

A: I've been great. What about you?

B: I've been good. I'm in school right now.

A: What school do you go to?

B: I go to PCC.

A: Do you like it there?

B: It's okay. It's a really big campus.

A: Good luck with school.

B: Thank you very much.

Audio : dialogue 8

A: How's it going?

B: I'm doing well. How about you?

A: Never better, thanks.

B: So how have you been lately?

A: I've actually been pretty good. You?

B: I'm actually in school right now.

A: Which school do you attend?

B: I'm attending PCC right now.

A: Are you enjoying it there?

B: It's not bad. There are a lot of people there.

A: Good luck with that.

B: Thanks.

Audio : dialogue 9

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A: How are you doing today?

B: I'm doing great. What about you?

A: I'm absolutely lovely, thank you.

B: Everything's been good with you?

A: I haven't been better. How about yourself?

B: I started school recently.

A: Where are you going to school?

B: I'm going to PCC.

A: How do you like it so far?

B: I like it so far. My classes are pretty good right now.

A: I wish you luck.

B: Thanks a lot.