Search Content

In-Depth Tips from Dr English

doceng3Dr English is the resident expert in language and communication training at Workplace English Training E-Platform (WETE). The informative and often in-depth articles below will help more advanced learners to understand and improve various aspects of their English, especially the English they need for work. You can read Dr English's tips on your PC, laptop or mobile device. These articles are only available for members of WETE. If you would like to subscribe and receive email notifications of future postings, please subscribe by clicking the Newsletter link above.

Useful Language for Requesting and Clarifying Information by Phone

15 Nov 2022

telephoningThe manner and the expressions that you use to communicate over the phone are extremely important, as the listener relies solely on what you say and how you say it in order to determine your understanding as well as your feelings towards the subject being discussed. Let’s look at two examples:

If a caller says “Could you put me through to ……?” and there is no reply, it may be considered rude.

If a caller says “I wonder if you could e-mail me ……” and the reply is “Yes”, this has little meaning and non-specific and will leave the listener uncertain about the timeframe. Again, this may cause confusion.

Below are some useful expressions for requesting information:


TAKING A CALL

Agreeing to a request

Certainly, I’d be glad to.

I’d be happy to do that.

My pleasure.

I’ll send that off tonight.

I’ll do that now.

Asking for an address

What‘s the address?

May I have the address?

Could I have your address?

Where should I send it to?

Checking personal details

Let me see if I’ve written that correctly – (repeat details).

Let me just check those details (repeat details).

So that’s (repeat details).


MAKING A CALL

Getting through to the right department

I wanted to speak to someone about getting a copy of your annual report.

Who should I speak to about getting a copy of your annual report?

Could you put me through to someone who deals with public relations?

Making a request

I was wondering if you could send me a copy of your current annual report.

Could you send me some information about your company?


Here are some useful expressions for clarifying a request:

TAKING A CALL

Agreeing to a request

By all means.

Go ahead.

Please do.

Yes, of course.

Clarifying what you mean

I meant your report on the housing policy initiatives.

No, that should be your memo on the WEC funding Scheme.

Yes, that’s right.

That’s exactly what I meant.

Thanking

Thank you for calling.

Thank you for contacting me.

Thanks for getting in touch.


MAKING A CALL

Saying why you’re calling

I received your letter this morning but one or two things aren’t clear.

I’m just following up on your letter – a couple of things aren’t clear.

Asking for clarification

May I check a couple of points with you?

Could you clarify a couple of things for me?

Could I ask you a couple of questions about your letter?

Did you mean the memo that was sent out last week?

Thanking and concluding

Thank you very much.

That’s all I need to know.

That’s all I wanted to check.

I’ll get that off to the EMB for you.
 

Questioning

American Etiquette Guidelines

Useful Language for Chairing a Business Meeting

Menu