Useful Expressions Ungkapan yang Sering Digunakan
Taking a Message
How may I be of assistance?
I’m afraid the line is engaged/busy.
I’m afraid he/she is in a meeting/not available at the moment.
I'm sorry, he/she's out of the office today.
Can I put you on hold?
Can I take a message?
Would you like to leave a message?
Could you give me your number, please?
I'll make sure he/she gets the message.
Leaving a Message
May I speak with Mr. Clarke, please?
I would like to speak with Mr. Clarke, please.
When do you expect him/her back in the office?
I need to speak with him/her on an urgent matter.
May I leave a message?
Would it be possible to leave a message?
Please tell him/her that...
Please ask him/her to call me as soon as he/she gets in.
Situation:
Situasi:
You work as a receptionist and you receive a call from the
secretary of a company you collaborate with. They are calling to
inform your manager that the date of the opening ceremony for
their new shop has been changed. Your manager is in a meeting,
so you will have to take a message. Your teacher will act as the
secretary. Switch roles afterwards.
Telephone: Taking & Leaving Message
A.
Telephone: Taking a message
There are a number of phrases and idioms that are only used when telephoning.
Let’s first take a look at a sample dialogue:
Operator : Hello, Frank and Brothers, How may I help you?
David : This is David Jackson. Can I have extension 210?
Operator : Certainly, hold on a minute, I’ll put you through…
Frank : Bob Peterson’s office, Frank speaking.
David : This is David Jackson calling, is Bob in?
Frank : I’m afraid he’s out at the moment. Can I take a message?
David : Yes, Could you ask him to call me at 712 456-8965.
I need to talk to him about the Nuovo line, it’s urgent.
Frank : Could you repeat the number please?
David : Yes, that’s 712 456-8965, and this is David Jackson.
Frank : Thank you Mr. Jackson, I’ll make sure Bob gets this ASAP.
David : Thanks, bye.
Frank : Bye.
B.
Taking a message
Can I take a message?
Would you like to leave a message?
Can I give him/her a message?
I’ll tell Mr. Jones that you called.
I’ make sure Mr. Jones rings you as soon as possible.
At what number can you be reached?
Could (Can, May) I take a message?
Could (Can, May) I tell him who is calling?
C.
Putting someone through
I’ll put you through to… (put through – phrasal verb =’connect’)
I’ll connect you to…
I’ll put… on the line
I’m sorry, there’s no reply from Mr. Jones
Can you hold the line?
Can you hold on a moment?
D.
Asking someone to call back
Thank you for waiting. I’m afraid Mr. Jones is not in at the moment.
I’m sorry; Mr. Jones is in a meeting.
Can/ Could you call back later in the day?
I’m afraid … is not available at the moment.
The line is busy… (When the extension requested is being used)
Mr. Jackson isn’t in…
Mr. Jackson is out at the moment…
E.
When someone is unavailable, you can use:
I’ll wait/I’ll hang on.
When can I ring him back?
Well, please find him/please interrupt him.
Will you please make sure (he) rings me back?
Where is he?
When will he be in?
Where can I find him?
F.
Leaving a Message in the Answering Machine
Sometimes, there may not be anyone to answer the telephone and you will need
to leave a message in the answering machine. Follow this outline to make sure
that the person who should receive your message has all the information he/she
needs.
1. Introduction ------- Hello this is Kate. OR Hello, My name is Kate Thomson
(More formal).
2. State the time of day and your reason for calling - - - - - It’s ten in the
morning. I’m phoning (calling, ringing) to find out if … / to see if … / to let you
know that . . . / to tell you that….
3. Make a request - - - Could you call (ring, telephone) me back? / Would you
mind ….? /
4. Leave your telephone number - - - - - My number is …. / You can reach me
at …. /Call me at ….
5. Finish - - - Thanks a lot, by. / I’ll talk to you later, bye.
EXERCISE
You are a receptionist at Thomas & George. A client would like to speak to Ms.
Braun, but she is out of the office. Take a message and make sure you get the
following information:
Name and telephone number – asks the client to spell the surname.
Message the client would like to leave for Ms Braun.
How late Ms Braun can call the client at the given telephone number.
