Page 159 - English Vocabulary in Use (Pre & Intermediate)

46 Onthe phone

telephone
directory mobile phone telephone

r . hone card
:
~
answering machine ' machine P
answerphone .
Starting a phone conversation
The first example is an informal situation; the second example is a more formal call.
A: Hello.
B: Is that Mary? [NOT Are-yet-Mary? or it Mary]
A: Yeah.
B: Hi. It’s Ruth. [NoT Ham Ruth, or Hereis-Ruth]
Note: When British people answer the phone at home they usually just say ‘hello’ and
sometimes they also give their number. They do not give their name.
€: Good morning. Chalfont Electronics,
b: Oh good morning. Could I speak to Mrs Gordon, please?
c: Yes. Who’s calling, please?
b: My name is Paul Scott. (This is usually how you introduce yourself in a formal situation.)
C: Right, Mr Scott. Pll put you through. (= I will connect you with Mrs Gordon)

Telephone problems
4.20 p.m You try to phone your sister Susan but the line is engaged (= the line is busy). In
other words, someone is already on the phone (= using the phone).
4.30 p.m. You phone your sister again but it’s the wrong number (= you have dialled
another number, e.g. 637 424 and not 627 424, and a stranger answers).
4.35 p.m. You get through to your sister’s number (= make contact) but she’s out (= not at
home). Her husband answers and says that Susan won’t be back (= will not
return) for a couple of hours, so you leave a message, e.g. Could you ask Susan
to ring me when she gets back? The husband agrees to give Susan the message.
7.30 p.m. Susan phones you back but you are out. She leaves a message on your
answerphone. Her message is: Jean, this is Susan. I’m just returning your call (=
phone call). Pll give you a ring (= phone you) tomorrow.

Useful vocabulary
A reverse charge call (AmEng = collect call). This is when the person you ring agrees to pay
for the phone call. If you make a reverse charge call, you must go through the operator.
If you have someone’s name and address, you can call Directory Enquiries to get their phone

number. If you phone another town or city, you need to know the code, e.g. the code for
Cambridge is 01223. This type of call is a long distance call (# a local call).

156 English Vocabulary in Use (pre-intermediate & intermediate)