Page 77 - Perfect Phrases ESL Everyday Business

Chapter 10

Leaving Messages

When making a phone call, have a message ready (written out, prac-
ticed, and ready to say) in case the person you have called isn’t in
and you have to leave a message on that person’s voice mail. Don’t
hesitate to leave a message on an answering machine. Don’t leave
a vague message. Give specific information. Be concise; make the
message short and to the point. Include the important information,
containing your name and telephone number—twice, at the begin-
ning and at the end of the message so that people have a chance to
process the information. Speak slowly and speak up; don’t let your
voice drop before you finish your message.
When leaving a telephone number, say each number separately:
“nine-seven-three,” not “nine seventy-three.” Always repeat phone
numbers. If your phone number includes the number 0, you can say
either “O” or “zero.” The only time not to pronounce each number
separately is if the number ends in hundreds (800) or thousands
(8000) (e.g., 555-345-0800, or 555-345-8000). Pause before and after
numbers, names, and other important words.
Some letters sound exactly like other letters when pronounced.
It is a good idea to use an example of the letters to make them clear
to the listener. As you spell your name over the telephone, either to

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