Page 83 - Perfect Phrases ESL Everyday Business

Using the Telephone

What do you want?
Where are we meeting?

When is the meeting?
What time is the meeting?

What should I bring to this meeting?
Pardon me, you did say [noon, cafeteria, after work], didn’t
you?
I didn’t catch that. Please repeat it.
How do you pronounce your name? I really want to say it
correctly. (Repeat the information back to the caller and have
him or her agree or correct it.)

Culture Hint: A lot of business is conducted over the telephone
in the United States. Even Americans spell frequently on the
phone. They also ask for clarification often. It isn’t just because
you, or the person to whom you are speaking, has an accent that
spelling and repetition are used as telephone clarification tools.

Idioms and Other Vocabulary
Didn’t catch that: I didn’t hear/understand that
Haunt you: cause problems
Rephrase: say it in other words

66