Phone calls in English: 15 phrases to make them less scary
Phone calls are harder than face-to-face conversations: no gestures, worse sound, and the other person can't see you're thinking. A few fixed phrases solve most of it – especially the ones for when you didn't understand.
Why calls feel harder
On the phone you lose everything except the voice. You can't point, you can't see a face, and a pause feels twice as long. The solution is to prepare the start and the end of the call, and to have phrases ready for asking the person to repeat, slow down or spell something. Nobody minds – native speakers ask for this all the time on bad lines.
15 phrases for phone calls
| Phrase | When to use it |
|---|---|
| “Hi, this is Marta from Delta Logistics.” | Introducing yourself (not “I am Marta”) |
| “I'm calling about my order / the invoice.” | Saying why you're calling |
| “Could I speak to Mr Jones, please?” | Asking for someone |
| “Is now a good time?” | Checking before a longer call |
| “Sorry, the line is bad. Could you say that again?” | Didn't catch it |
| “Could you speak a bit more slowly, please?” | Too fast |
| “Could you spell that for me?” | Names, emails, addresses |
| “So, just to confirm: Tuesday at ten.” | Checking you understood |
| “Hold on a second, let me find a pen.” | Asking them to wait |
| “Can I put you on hold for a moment?” | When you answer and need time |
| “Could you ask him to call me back?” | The person isn't there |
| “My number is…” | Leaving your number |
| “Could you send me that by email?” | Getting it in writing |
| “Thanks for your help.” | Starting to finish |
| “Bye now.” / “Have a good day.” | Ending the call |
A sample call
Receptionist: Good morning, Riverside Dental, how can I help?
You: Hi, this is Marta Lopes. I'd like to book an appointment for a check-up.
Receptionist: Of course. Are you an existing patient?
You: No, it's my first time.
Receptionist: No problem. Could I take your surname?
You: Lopes – L-O-P-E-S.
Receptionist: Thank you. We have Thursday at 9:40 or Friday at 3:15.
You: Sorry, could you repeat the Friday time?
Receptionist: Three fifteen in the afternoon.
You: Friday at 3:15 is perfect. So, just to confirm: Friday, 3:15.
Receptionist: That's right. We'll send you a text the day before.
You: Great, thanks for your help. Bye.
Spelling names and numbers
Practise spelling your name and email out loud – it's the thing you'll do most. For unclear letters, use words: “B for Bravo”, “M for Mike”. Say email symbols as at (@), dot (.), dash (-) and underscore (_). Phone numbers are read digit by digit, with “oh” or “zero” for 0, and “double five” for 55 in British English.
Common mistakes
- “I am Marta.” On the phone English says “This is Marta” or “It's Marta”.
- Pretending to understand. It's the most expensive mistake on the phone: you end up at the wrong time or address. Ask, then confirm: “So, just to confirm…”.
- Ending abruptly. English calls end in two steps: “Thanks for your help” – “You're welcome” – then “Bye”.
How to practise
- Spell your full name and email out loud three times, fast.
- Say the opening line of three calls you'll really make: the bank, a doctor, a delivery.
- Practise a full call with someone speaking a bit too fast – and use the repeat and confirm phrases.
Related: English at the doctor and English at the hotel.
Practising it with Ling
Ling AI is an iPhone and iPad app for spoken English – and a lesson in it feels a lot like a phone call: a live 3–4 minute voice scene with Sophia, an AI speaking partner, chosen for your goal and level. Tap Hint when you don't know what to say, switch to your language if it gets too hard, and finish with your one main mistake to fix.
About 5 minutes of voice every day are free. iPhone and iPad with iOS 17 or later; no Android version yet.