Transferring a Call (Early Stage)
The caller immediately states they need to speak to a specific department or person. The assistant acknowledges this and prepares for the transfer.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
speaking
Used when answering the phone to introduce yourself, like 'Sarah speaking' means 'This is Sarah talking.' It's polite and professional in business calls.
department
A section of a company, like 'Sales Department' which handles selling products. Useful for directing calls to the right team.
certainly
A polite way to say 'yes' or 'of course' when agreeing to help. It shows you're happy to assist in a professional setting.
transfer
To send a phone call from one person or extension to another. In business, it's common when connecting callers to different departments.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Good morning, [Company Name]. Sarah speaking, how may I help you?
This is a standard professional greeting for answering a business phone. It includes time of day, company name, self-introduction, and offers help. Use it at the start of work calls to sound polite and welcoming. The structure is: Greeting + Company + 'speaking' + question for assistance.
I need to speak with someone in the Sales Department, please.
A clear request to connect to a specific area of the company. 'Speak with someone' means talk to a person there. Add 'please' for politeness. Useful when calling a business and needing a particular department; it helps the receiver understand quickly.
Certainly. One moment please, I'll transfer you.
This acknowledges the request and prepares to connect the call. 'Certainly' agrees politely, 'one moment please' asks for a short wait, and 'I'll transfer you' explains the action. Use this pattern when transferring calls to keep the conversation smooth and professional.
Thank you.
A simple expression of gratitude. In phone calls, say this after someone offers help or transfers you. It's short, polite, and ends interactions positively. Always use it to show appreciation in business English.