Page 603 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

2 transitive verb: 'perceive'
Taste can be used with an object, to say what we perceive with our sense of taste. Progressive forms are not used. We often use can taste (see 125).
I can taste onion and mint in the sauce. (NOT l am tasting . ..) 3 transitive verb: 'investigate'
Another transitive use is to say that we are using our sense of taste to find out something. Progressive forms can be used.
Stop eating the cake. - I'm just tasting it to see if it's OK. 578 telephoning
1 answering a phone
People answering a private phone either say 'Hello' or give their name. People answering a business phone most often give their name.
'Hello'. 'Albert Paclcard.'
2 asking for a person
Could I speak to Jane Horrabin? (ArnE also Could I speak with ...?)
3 saying who you are
Hello, this is Corinne. (NOT USUALLY ••• I'm C6rinne.)
Could I speak to Jane Horrabin?- Speaking. OR This is Jane Horrabin
(speaking).
4 asking who somebody is
Who is that? (ArnE Who is this I Who's there?)
Who am I speaking to? Who is that speaking?
5 asking for a number
can/Could I have extension two oh four six?
What's the (diaUing) code[or Bristol? (AmE .•. area code .. .?) How do I get an outside line?
6 if you want the other person to pay for the call
I'd like to make a reversed (OR trans/erred) charge call to Bristol 437878. (ArnE I'd like to make a collect call ...)
7 if somebody is not there
I'm afraid she's not in at the moment.
can I take a message?
can I leave a message?
Please leave your message after the tone.
I'll ring/call again later. (ArnE I'll call ...)
Could you ask her to ringlcaU me back?
Could you ask her to ring/call me at/on Ardington 637022? Could you just tell her Jake called?
telephoning 578
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