How to speak well on the phone in natural British English
Are you someone who loves speaking, a ‘chatterbox’ as we say in natural British English, or are you more of ‘the reserved type’? Either way, when you are on the phone, it is easy to get ‘tripped up’ or ‘thrown’ by the issues that audio-only conversations present: a bad line, the other person’s accent, talking to an automated robot, being unexpectedly cut off or simply not knowing what to say. This happens to the best of us, native and non-native speakers alike. When you are on the phone you are stripped of the body language and eye contact that normally helps when speaking face-to-face, so it is always best to prepare in advance. Common methods of preparation include writing a plan of what you want to say, preparing key vocabulary or numbers, and using your ‘phone voice’. Yes, this is ‘a thing’ – British people often put on their clearest, most professional sounding voice when they are on an important call and this is what we call your ‘phone voice’. It can even be the subject of some jokes as it can sound much posher than a person’s normal speaking voice. Here are some expressions that might help you.
Scenario 1: a bad line
The connection is really bad, what did you say, sorry? = phone line (neutral)
The line is crackling. I can’t hear you properly. Can you say that again please? = I can hear lots of strange electronic noises which are blocking your voice (neutral)
I’m sorry but you keep cutting out. = Your voice keeps stopping because of a technical issue (neutral)
There’s terrible signal in this area. = the mobile phone network coverage is really bad (neutral)
Scenario 2: the other person’s accent
I’m afraid I’m struggling with your accent. Could you say that again please, slower? = Your accent is difficult for me to understand. (informal)
Sorry, I didn’t quite catch that. = I didn’t fully hear what you just said (neutral)
Come again? = Can you repeat that? (informal)
Sorry I’m struggling here. = I can’t understand you (informal)
Scenario 3: Being unexpectedly cut off
What just happened?= the phone line just stopped working. Why? (informal)
Sorry, I think I got unexpectedly cut off. = the phone line from my side just stopped working (neutral)
Sorry, I think you just got cut off. = the phone line from your side just stopped working (neutral)
Scenario 4: Simply not knowing what to say.
One second, please. = I need to pause the conversation for a moment (informal)
Hang on a second. = Please wait for a moment. (informal)
I’m just gathering my thoughts. = I’m thinking of what to say (neutral)
Sorry, I lost track of what I was saying. = I forgot what I was saying (neutral)
Scenario 5: Ending the conversation early due to technical issues
My (phone) battery is about to die. Can I call you back? = Hang up the phone and call you again (neutral)
I’m about to go into an area with no signal so I might get cut off. = the phone line from my side might stop working soon (neutral)
I might have to call you back in a few minutes because my phone is about to die. = my mobile phone has low battery. (neutral)
Have you experienced any of these situations? Would these phrases help you? Let us know in the comments below! We love to hear what you think about speaking natural British English here at PS English!
Take care,
Emma
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