English - Phone Messages

Lesson 138 of 139

A learner practicing phone messages in English — simple polite phrases for phone calls.

Goal: Leave and take short phone messages politely

Free English lessons with audio, guided practice, and speaking support.

Ready to practice short phone conversations? This quick lesson helps you leave clear messages and answer calls politely. Have fun — think of it as a tiny phone practice break.

Level A2: In this lesson you will practice common phone-message phrases: asking to speak to someone, leaving a message, giving a number, and saying you'll call back. This CEFR-aligned set focuses on polite, everyday phrases you can use right away.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Practice asking to speak with someone and asking who is calling.
  • Learn how to leave a short message and give your phone number.
  • Be able to say someone is unavailable and ask for a callback.
  • Gain confidence using these phrases in real phone situations (A2 level).
A friendly reception desk answering a phone call — practicing ‘Can I speak to ___?’ and related phrases.

Ready? Let's go!

When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

Can I speak to ___?

Ask to speak with someone on the phone

Meaning: Ask to speak with someone on the phone.

When to use: Use this at the start of a phone call to request a specific person.

Tip: Beginners sometimes overuse 'May I' or forget 'please' in polite situations; 'Can I speak to ___?' is very natural and neutral.

Can I speak to Maria?
Can I speak to Maria?
Can I speak to the manager, please?
Can I speak to the manager, please?

Who's calling, please?

Ask who is calling

Meaning: Ask who is calling.

When to use: Use this at the start of a call when you answer the phone and want to know the caller's name.

Hello, who's calling, please?
Hello, who's calling, please?
Who is calling, please? May I ask your name?
Who is calling, please? May I ask your name?

___ is not available right now.

Say someone cannot answer the phone now

Meaning: Say someone cannot answer the phone now.

When to use: Use this when the person the caller wants is busy or away.

Tip: Learners sometimes say 'isn't available now' which is okay, but be careful with contractions in very formal settings.

Mr. Green is not available right now.
Mr. Green is not available right now.
She is not available right now; can I take a message?
She is not available right now; can I take a message?

Can I take a message?

Offer to record a message for someone

Meaning: Offer to record a message for someone.

When to use: Use this when the requested person is unavailable and you offer to write down what the caller wants to say.

Can I take a message? I'll write it down.
Can I take a message? I'll write it down.
She's out. Can I take a message for her?
She's out. Can I take a message for her?

Could you ask ___ to call me back?

Ask someone to return a call

Meaning: Ask someone to return a call.

When to use: Use this when you want the person to call the caller back.

Tip: Sometimes learners use 'Can you ask…' which is okay, but 'Could you ask…' sounds slightly more polite for message-taking.

Could you ask Anna to call me back?
Could you ask Anna to call me back?
Please could you ask Mr. Ruiz to call me back this afternoon?
Please could you ask Mr. Ruiz to call me back this afternoon?

My number is ___.

Give a phone number in a message

Meaning: Give a phone number in a message.

When to use: Use this when you need to leave your contact number so someone can return your call.

My number is 555-0123. Please call me after 2pm.
My number is 555-0123. Please call me after 2pm.
If he needs me, my number is 07-1234-5678.
If he needs me, my number is 07-1234-5678.

Sorry, I have the wrong number.

Say you dialed incorrectly

Meaning: Say you dialed incorrectly.

When to use: Use this when you realize you called the wrong person or number.

Sorry, I have the wrong number. Goodbye.
Sorry, I have the wrong number. Goodbye.
Oh — sorry, wrong number. Thank you.
Oh — sorry, wrong number. Thank you.

I'll call back later.

Say you will try calling again later

Meaning: Say you will try calling again later.

When to use: Use this to politely end a call when the person you want is not available and you will try again.

She's busy. I'll call back later.
She's busy. I'll call back later.
Okay, thanks — I'll call back later this afternoon.
Okay, thanks — I'll call back later this afternoon.

I'd like to leave a message.

asking to leave a message for someone

Meaning: Ask to leave a message for someone.

When to use: Use this when the person you need isn't available and you want to leave information.

I'd like to leave a message for Dr. Kim, please.
I'd like to leave a message for Dr. Kim, please.
I'm calling for Jake; I'd like to leave a message.
I'm calling for Jake; I'd like to leave a message.

The message is ___.

giving the content of a phone message

Meaning: Give the content of a phone message.

When to use: Use this to state clearly what you want the person to know.

The message is that the meeting starts at 10.
The message is that the meeting starts at 10.
The message is: I'll be late today.
The message is: I'll be late today.

Please tell ___ I called.

asking someone to pass along simple information

Meaning: Ask someone to pass along simple information.

When to use: Use this to ask the receptionist or a friend to tell someone you called.

Please tell Emma I called and I'll arrive at 3.
Please tell Emma I called and I'll arrive at 3.
Please tell Mr. Ali I called about his appointment.
Please tell Mr. Ali I called about his appointment.

I'm calling about ___.

stating the reason for a phone call

Meaning: State the reason for a phone call.

When to use: Use this at the start of a call to explain why you are calling.

I'm calling about my reservation next week.
I'm calling about my reservation next week.
Hello— I'm calling about the invoice you sent.
Hello— I'm calling about the invoice you sent.

When will ___ be back?

asking when a person can be reached

Meaning: Ask when a person can be reached.

When to use: Use this to find out when the person will be available to take calls.

When will Jason be back? I need to speak to him.
When will Jason be back? I need to speak to him.
When will she be back? Can I leave a message?
When will she be back? Can I leave a message?

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna calls the office to reach Mark.

Two people on a short phone call leaving a message and giving a phone number.

What does Anna want to do?

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

Hello, can I speak to Mark, please?

Hello, can I speak to Mark, please?

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

Who's calling, please?

Who's calling, please?

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

This is Anna. I'm calling about the project.

This is Anna. I'm calling about the project.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

Mark is not available right now. Can I take a message?

Mark is not available right now. Can I take a message?

Portrait of Anna in a English lesson dialogue

Anna

Yes, please tell him I called. My number is 555-0199.

Yes, please tell him I called. My number is 555-0199.

Portrait of David in a English lesson dialogue

David

Okay — I'll tell him. Would you like him to call you back?

Okay — I'll tell him. Would you like him to call you back?

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

You reach a receptionist and the person you want is not there. Which phrase offers to write down the caller's information?

You realize you called the wrong person by mistake. What should you say?

You want the person to return your call. Which is the best phrase to ask the receptionist to pass on?

You are leaving your contact information. Which phrase starts that information?

I'd like to leave a message. I called about the meeting. Please tell her I will be late.

Caller: ___ I called about the meeting. Please tell her I will be late.

Sorry, I have the wrong number.

You dial and realize the person is not the one you wanted. You say: ___

My number is 555-3000. Please let her know I called.

Caller leaving contact information: ___ 555-3000. Please let her know I called.

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice

Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).

Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.

Say this phrase out loud:

Can I speak to ___?

Ask to speak with someone on the phone.

Say this phrase out loud:

Who's calling, please?

Ask who is calling.

Say this phrase out loud:

___ is not available right now.

Say someone cannot answer the phone now.

Say this phrase out loud:

Can I take a message?

Offer to record a message for someone.

Say this phrase out loud:

Could you ask ___ to call me back?

Ask someone to return a call.

Say this phrase out loud:

My number is ___.

Give a phone number in a message.

Say this phrase out loud:

Sorry, I have the wrong number.

Say you dialed incorrectly.

Say this phrase out loud:

I'll call back later.

Say you will try calling again later.

Say this phrase out loud:

I'd like to leave a message.

Ask to leave a message for someone.

Say this phrase out loud:

The message is ___.

Give the content of a phone message.

Say this phrase out loud:

Please tell ___ I called.

Ask someone to pass along simple information.

Say this phrase out loud:

I'm calling about ___.

State the reason for a phone call.

Say this phrase out loud:

When will ___ be back?

Ask when a person can be reached.