telephoning/ business grammar/ Present Continuous/ asking people to wait
Choose one sentence below, mime it to your partner(s) until they guess the sentence, then take turns doing the same.
Reasons for asking people to hold on to mime and guess
| I am writing it down | I am typing it up |
| I am searching for that file | I am looking for a pen |
| I am trying to find a notepad | I am putting you on hold |
| I am checking if he’s at his desk | He is coming into the office now |
| I am getting into a lift | I am getting onto a train |
| I am getting into a taxi | I am driving on the freeway |
| My next client is arriving | I am putting you through to him now |
| I am leaving the office | My other phone is ringing |
| His phone is ringing, but there’s no answer | I am having lunch |
When your teacher stops you, ask about sentences you aren’t sure about, working together to mime them each time.
Which sentences above would you say “Can I call you back/ Can you call again a little later?” with?
Which ones would you say “Just a moment/ second/ minute/ Can you hold the line?” with?
Ignoring the gaps, check your answers below.
- Just a moment. I am writing it ___________
- Give me a second/ Can you call me back in ten?. I am typing it __________ now
- Please hold the line, I am searching ______ that file now.
- Just a second. I am looking ________ a pen
- I’ll be with you in a second. I am trying ____ find a notepad
- Just a moment. I am putting you _______ hold
- I’ll be with you right away. I am checking if he’s _________ his desk
- If you can wait a moment or two, he is coming _______ the office now
- Can I call you back? I am getting _______ a lift
- Can I get back to you a little later? I am getting ________ a train
- I am getting ________ a taxi. Can you try me again in 10 minutes?
- I’ll have to phone you back in a bit. I am driving _____ the freeway
- My client is arriving ______ the conference room. Can you try again this afternoon?
- Please hold. I am putting you through _______ him now
- I am leaving the office. Can I phone you when I get back this afternoon?
- My other phone is ringing. Will you hold?/ Just a sec, I’ll check who it is.
- His phone is ringing, but there’s no answer. Shall I ask him to call you back?
- I am having lunch. Give me 10 minutes, and I’ll call you at your office.
Look for expressions above that mean the same as “Just a moment” and mean the same as “Can you call again later?/ Can I call you back?”
| Expressions that mean the same as “Just a moment” | Expressions that mean the same as “Can you call again later?/ Can I call you back?” |
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Fill the sentences above with the missing prepositions, then check with the sentences at the top of the page.
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Related pages
Teaching Telephoning: Interactive Classroom Activities
