Making a telephone call

Making a telephone call
Common phrases meaning to telephone

• She said she'd phone/telephone/call/ring (you) tomorrow
• I'll give you a ring/call/phone call
• I need to make a call/phone call (to Brazil)

Common phrases used when telephoning somebody

• Could/Can I speak to Mr Carter, please
• Is that Karen? Hi, this is Barbara/Barbara here

Common phrases used when answering the telephone

• This is Mr Carter
• (Mr Carter) speaking

A reverse charge call/(US) collect call is paid for by the person who receives it

Notice the following uses of through

• Can I call Japan direct from here, or do I have to go through the operator
• The lines were really busy and I couldn't get through to the airport
• Can you put me through to Miss Shaw on extension 342, please

Some people have an (esp UK) answerphone/ (esp US) answering machine which plays a recorded message to callers if they are not at home. The message usually ends with a 'bleep' sound

• Sorry I'm not at home at the moment. Please leave a message after the bleep/beep/tone