Today, let's learn how to answer the phone in English. This isn't just about saying "Hello". It involves knowing the right words to use for different situations, whether you're chatting with a friend or on a business call. So, here's a guide to making your English phone conversations easy and effective!

Picking Up

When a friend calls: If I see a familiar name on my phone, I answer in a relaxed way. For example, "Hey, Luke!" This makes the conversation friendly from the beginning. When an unknown number calls: If someone I don't know calls and asks for me, they usually say, "Who is this?" not "Who are you?" I answer, "Yes, this is Luke," or simply, "Speaking."

Example: If a caller I don't recognize says, "Hello, I was trying to reach Luke?" I would answer, "Speaking. How can I help you?"

Confirming Identity

If you don't know who's calling, it's polite to ask. Use respectful phrases like "May I ask who this is?" or "May I ask who is speaking?" These questions help set a friendly tone and protect your privacy. Sometimes the caller might want to speak to another person nearby. If they ask, "Is your brother around?" and the person they're looking for is there, I reply, "Let me check... yes, he's here." Then, if they ask, "Could I speak with him?" or "Could you put him on?" the conversation continues.

Actions and Conversation

During a call, you might need to pause. Maybe you need to find some information or the person the caller wants to talk to. In these moments, say, "Hold on, let me check" or "Please wait a moment, I'll check." This lets the caller know what's happening and prevents any awkward silence.  When a friend calls and I recognize their number, I start the conversation in a friendly way. I might say, "Hey, Kevin, what's up?" The phrase "What's up?" is a casual greeting and a way to ask why they're calling.

Questions to Start a Conversation

To get a conversation going, you can use phrases like "What's going on?" or "What's happening?" If I'm talking to friends, I might use relaxed questions like "How's it going?" or "How are things?" These help create a friendly tone.

Remember, these tips are mostly for informal chats with friends and people you know. For work or official calls, you might need a more professional approach. If you have any questions, let me know, and don't forget to subscribe for more English lessons!