Making a call — Intermediate
Call the company, ask to be connected to the person in charge, request to be transferred to an extension, ask if it's a good time to talk, and inquire when they'll be back if they're unavailable, in a more flexible situation.
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Hello, I'm trying to speak with Mr. Lee.
'trying to reach' is a smooth and professional way to say 'I'm trying to connect with someone'. It's great when you have a specific person in mind.
Could you connect me to extension 204?
'put someone through' is the exact expression for 'connecting a call to someone else'. Extension refers to the internal number.
Is it a good time to talk now?
Since the other person might be busy, asking first sounds very polite. It's basic etiquette for business calls.
Do you know when they will be back?
A question to ask when the person in charge is not available: 'be back' means 'to return (to the position)'.
Then I'll call back later.
Yes, I'll wait. (without hanging up)
If the other person says 'Can you hold?', you respond like this. 'Hold' means to wait without hanging up the phone.
- 1
When requesting a phone connection, use the phrase 'Could you put me through to ___?
- 2
'.
- 3
Fill in the blank with a person, department, or extension number for a polite request.
- put through — To connect (the call)
- extension — Extension number
- reach (someone) — To get in touch with ~
- hold — To wait (without hanging up)
- out of the office — Unavailable, not in the office