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Telephoning (Modals)

This document provides examples of dialogues for common telephone situations: 1) Beginning a call by asking to speak to someone and greeting them. 2) Checking information by confirming receipt of an email and asking to discuss arrangements. 3) Asking the caller to hold or leave a message when the desired party is unavailable. 4) Ensuring understanding by spelling names and numbers clearly. 5) Ending a call by recapping topics discussed and agreeing on next steps.

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119 views19 pages

Telephoning (Modals)

This document provides examples of dialogues for common telephone situations: 1) Beginning a call by asking to speak to someone and greeting them. 2) Checking information by confirming receipt of an email and asking to discuss arrangements. 3) Asking the caller to hold or leave a message when the desired party is unavailable. 4) Ensuring understanding by spelling names and numbers clearly. 5) Ending a call by recapping topics discussed and agreeing on next steps.

Uploaded by

indra ahmad
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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TELEPHONING

BEGINNING A CALL

A: I’d like to speak to Max Reed, please.


B: Just one moment. I’ll connect you… You’re through now
C: Max Reed speaking
A: Hi Max. Simon here.
C: Hi, Simon. How are you?
A: Fine. And you?
CHECKING INFORMATION

A: Hello
B: Hello, John. Steven here. Did you get my email?
A: Yes, it’s right here in front of me
B: Fine. I thought it would be quicker to phone than send you another message. I wanted to
run through some of the arrangements for Tuesday.
ASKING THE CALLER TO HOLD

A: Sorry to keep you waiting so long. Could you hold on a little longer? The very slow
today.
B: How long do you think it is to take to find the information?
A: It won’t be long now. Right. Here we are the figures you need are….
ASKING THE CALLER TO LEAVE A MESSAGE

A: I’m trying to get hold of someone in your sales department. Are you having problems
with your phone system? I was cut off earlier and now there is no reply.
B: Just a moment, please. I’ll try the number for you. Yes, I’m afraid there is no reply from
the department. They must be at lunch. Would you like to leave a message and I’ll get
someone to call you when they get back.
A: Thanks. My name is Steven and the number is 453980
MAKING SURE YOU UNDERSTAND

A: Can I speak to Maria? I understand that she is looking after Sales while Marco Stam is on parental leave.
B: That’s right, but I’m afraid she is not here at the moment. Can I take a message?
A: Thanks. Could you say that Richard called and ask her to call me back?
B: Can you spell your name, please?
A: Richard is R-i-c-h-a-r-d I’m at the Rainbow Hotel in room 13.
B: Is that 13, one three, or 30 three zero?
A: Thirteen, one three.
B: Thanks. I’ll pass on the message.
ENDING A CALL

A: ….OK. Have we covered everything?


B: I think so. You just need to let me know when you can send the report.
A: That’s right. I’ll send you a message when I get back to the office. Anyway, thanks for
calling.
B: No problem. I’ll wait to hear from you.
MODALS

• Can I talk to Max reed?


• Could you hold on?
• Would you like me to check?
• Would you like to call back later?
• Would you like to hold on?
MODALS

A modal is a type of auxiliary (helping) verb that is used to express: ability, possibility, permission or
obligation.
Modal phrases (or semi-modals) are used to express the same things as modals, but are a combination of
auxiliary verbs and the preposition to. The modals and semi-modals in English are:
• Can/could/be able to
• May/might
• Shall/should
• Must/have to
• Will/would
CAN, COULD, BE ABLE TO

Can, could and be able to are used to express a variety of ideas in English:
• Ability/Lack of Ability
Present and Future:
• can/can’t + base form of the verb
• Tom can write poetry very well.
• I can help you with that next week.
• Lisa can’t speak French.
am / is / are / will be + able to + base form of the verb
am not/ isn’t / aren’t/ won’t be + able to + base form of the verb
• Mike is able to solve complicated math equations
• The support team will be able to help you in about ten minutes.
• I won’t be able to visit you next summer.
Note: Can and could do not take an infinitive (to verb) and do not take the future auxiliary
will.
• Incorrect: I can to help you this afternoon.
• Correct: I can help you this afternoon.
• Correct: I will (I’ll) be able to help you this afternoon.
Possibility / Impossibility
• can / can’t + base form of the verb
• You can catch that train at 10:43.
• He can’t see you right now. He’s in surgery.
• could + base form of the verb
• I could fly via Amsterdam if I leave the day before.
ASK PERMISSION / GIVE PERMISSION

• Can + Subject + base form of the verb (informal)


• Can you lend me ten dollars?
• Can + base form of the verb (informal)
• You can borrow my car.
• Could + subject + base form of the verb (polite)
• Could I have your number?
• Could I talk to your supervisor please?
MODALS: WILL / WOULD

will / won’t + base form of the verb


• John will pick you up at 7:00am.
• Beth won’t be happy with the results of the exam.

Polite Request or Statement


• Will / Would + base form of the verb
• Will you please take the trash out?
• Would you mind if I sat here?
• I’d (I would) like to sign up for your workshop.
Habitual Past Action
• Would/Wouldn’t + base form of the verb
• When I was a child, I would spend hours playing with my train set.
• Peter wouldn’t eat broccoli when he was a kid. He loves it now.
ASSIGNMENT

• Make a group of two


• Make a telephoning dialogue
• Practice
SOURCE

• Badger, I. (2003). Everiday Business English. Bristol: Longman


• What Is a Modal Verb? | List of Modal Verbs | Ginger (gingersoftware.com)
Thank You!

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