English sentences for phone calls and messages: 100 examples

11. Hi, could I speak to Mr Das, please?
12. I'm calling about the job advert.
13. I'm calling to confirm my appointment.
14. I'd like to make an appointment.
15. Could you put me through to customer service?
16. Is Anita there?
17. Sorry, I think I've got the wrong number.
18. I'm returning your call.
19. I'll be quick.
20. I just wanted to check you got home safely.
21. I'm calling on behalf of my manager.
22. Could you tell me your opening hours?

23. She's not available at the moment.
24. He's in a meeting. Can I take a message?
25. Could you ask him to call me back?
26. Can I leave a message?
27. Could I have your name and number, please?Note: "What is your good name?" sounds odd outside India. Use "May I have your name?"
28. Could you spell that for me?
29. I'll let her know you called.
30. Please leave a message after the tone.
31. Hi, it's Arjun. Call me when you get this.
32. Let me give you my number.
33. I'll pass on the message.
34. She'll call you back after lunch.

35. Sorry, you're breaking up.Note: Say "you're breaking up", not "your voice is breaking".
36. I can't hear you very well.
37. Could you speak up a little?
38. Could you speak more slowly, please?
39. The line is bad. Let me call you back.
40. My battery is about to die.
41. I'm losing signal.
42. Sorry, could you say that again?
43. We got cut off.
44. Can you hear me now?
45. There's a lot of noise here.
46. I'll text you the details instead.

47. Thanks for calling.
48. It was nice talking to you.
49. I'd better go now.
50. Talk to you soon.
51. Let me know if anything changes.
52. I'll send you an email to confirm.
53. Take care. Bye!
54. Is there anything else I can help you with?
55. I'll call you tomorrow.
56. Thanks for your time.

57. I'm on my way.
58. Running ten minutes late, sorry!
59. I've just got home.Note: "Reached home" is common in India. "Got home" or "I'm home" sounds more natural to most speakers.
60. Can you send me the address?
61. Call me when you're free.
62. Did you get my message?
63. Sorry for the late reply.
64. Let me check and get back to you.
65. See you at six.
66. Congratulations! So happy for you.
67. Happy birthday! Have a great day.
68. Can't talk now. I'll call you later.
69. Got it, thanks.
70. Sounds good to me.

71. Can you see my screen?
72. Your video has frozen.
73. I think you're on mute.
74. Let me turn my camera on.
75. Could you send me the link?
76. I'll join in two minutes.
77. Sorry, my internet is slow today.
78. Can everyone see the slides?
79. Let's switch to a voice call.
80. Is it OK if I record the call?

81. I'd like to book an appointment for Thursday.
82. Is there anything available earlier?
83. I need to reschedule my appointment.
84. Could you confirm the time, please?
85. My reference number is in the email.
86. I'd like to make a complaint.
87. How long will it take to fix?
88. Could you send that to me in writing?
89. I've been on hold for twenty minutes.
90. Could I speak to someone in charge?

91. Thanks for your email.
92. I hope you're well.
93. Please see the details below.
94. I've attached the document.
95. Please let me know if you have any questions.
96. Apologies for the delay.
97. I look forward to your reply.
98. Thanks again for your help.
99. Could you confirm that you've received this?
100. I'll forward your email to the right person.

• Wrong: Hello, I am Priya speaking.

  Right: Hello, this is Priya speaking.

  On the phone, English uses this is.

• Wrong: Your voice is breaking.

  Right: You're breaking up.

  That's the fixed phrase for a bad line.

• Wrong: Call me back after some time.

  Right: Could you call me back in an hour?

  Give a time, or say "a bit later".

• Wrong: What is your good name?

  Right: May I have your name, please?

  "Good name" is a translation that sounds odd to most English speakers.

Role-play a call to a clinic to move an appointment. Speak both parts: the receptionist and you.

• Open with "Hello, this is".
• Explain the problem in one sentence, then ask a question.
• Repeat the new time back to check it.

Preparing for IELTS? Try these Part 1 style questions

IELTS Speaking Part 1 lasts 4 to 5 minutes, and the examiner asks general questions about familiar topics such as home, family, work, studies and interests (ielts.org). Answer each question below in two or three sentences, using phrases from this page.

1. Do you prefer calling or texting?
2. How often do you talk on the phone?
3. Who do you call most often?
4. Do you think people use their phones too much?

• At work and the office
• Polite requests, apologies and thanks
• Small talk and making friends
• All topics
• English grammar lessons