Making Phone Calls: Formal and Informal Language
Telephone conversations follow specific conventions in English. This lesson teaches you how to handle both formal (business, official) and informal (friends, family) phone calls confidently.
Phone Vocabulary
- call (noun/verb), phone call, ring, dial, hang up, pick up, call back
- mobile phone / smartphone / landline
- voicemail, missed call, text message, ringtone
- reception, signal, battery, speakerphone
Informal Phone Language
- Hello? / Hi, is that [name]?
- It is [name]. / Hey, it is me!
- What are you up to? / Are you free to talk?
- I will call you back. / Talk to you later. / Bye!
Formal Phone Language
- Good morning. This is [full name] from [company/school].
- Could I speak to [Mr/Ms name], please?
- I am calling regarding [topic].
- Would you like to leave a message? / Can I take a message?
- Thank you for your time. Goodbye.
Sample Dialogue (Formal)
Caller: Good morning. This is Karim Bensalem calling. Could I speak to Dr Williams, please?
Secretary: I am afraid Dr Williams is in a meeting. Would you like to leave a message?
Caller: Yes, please. Could you ask him to email me at karim@email.com?
Secretary: Certainly. I will make sure he gets the message.
Exercises
- Write a formal phone dialogue: you call the school office to ask about registration.
- Write an informal phone conversation: you invite a friend to a birthday party.
- Practice leaving a voicemail message for your teacher explaining why you are absent.
Practice more with Modal Verbs and Future Forms.
مدونة التربية و التعليم في الجزائر – دروس، فروض، نتائج امتحانات مدونة التربية والتعليم في الجزائر | تحضير الدروس، فروض واختبارات، نتائج البكالوريا وBEM، مسابقات التوظيف، والتوجيه المدرسي للطلاب وأولياء الأمور.