TELEPHONE ENGLISH (FORMAL GREETINGS)

Good morning. I hope you had a good weekend. Welcome back to the Daily Vitamin.

Some years ago. one of our readers requested more information about telephoning in English. She said: I sometimes have to pick up the phone in my workplace and so I'd like to know more.

Over the next several days we're going to look at some basic expressions for Greeting, Taking a Message and Saying Goodbye on the telephone.

We often feel nervous when speaking on the telephone because we can't see the other person. Luckily, Telephone English is very formulaic and has fixed expressions that you can use. By learning and memorising these expressions, you can reduce any feelings of anxiety that you have when speaking on the phone.

FORMAL TELEPHONE GREETINGS (in the workplace)
Option 1) Good morning / Good Afternoon / Good Evening, COMPANY NAME,  Can I help you?

Option 2) Good morning / Good Afternoon / Good Evening, This is YOUR NAME, How can I help you?

Option 3) Good morning / Good Afternoon / Good Evening, COMPANY NAME, YOUR NAME speaking -- How can I help you?

Example 1: Good morning, ABC International. Can I help you?

Example 2: Good afternoon. This is Angela. How can I help you?

Example 3: Good evening. Home Communications. James speaking. How can I help you? 

NOTE: in example 3 we use good evening and NOT "good night." "Good night" is only used when you are saying good-bye to someone before going to bed or when you are leaving for the night.

I encourage you to write your own sentence using one or more of these telephone formulas. You can post your sentences on one of our social media sites (Facebook or Bluesky) and we will give you feedback about your writing ASAP. 

Enjoy the rest of your day!