Choose one of the sentences below and compete to make it more and more polite.
I can’t hear you
Hold on
British Council. Alex speaking.
We were cut off.
We can’t give you a refund.
Say again.
The product that you sent me doesn’t work.
I got your email yesterday
Write back soon
Phone me back
Say “Hi” to your family from me
Any more questions, just ask
I have to go
This is going to have to be really quick
Here’s the file
This is about the meeting next week
I can’t
He’s not here
Forward this to Mr Jones
You okay to talk?
Work together to change all the sentences to a more suitable level of politeness.
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Telephone and email politeness competition game – Suggested answers
I can’t hear you – I’m afraid I can’t hear you very well.
Hold on – Just a moment, please.
British Council. Alex speaking. – Good morning. This is the British Council. Alex speaking. How can I help you?
We were cut off – We seem to have been cut off.
We can’t give you a refund – I’m afraid a refund won’t be possible at this time.
Say again – Could you repeat that, please?
The product that you sent me doesn’t work – Unfortunately, the product doesn’t quite work as well as I expected.
I got your email yesterday – Thank you for your email of 17 March.
Write back soon – I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Phone me back – Could you phone me back (whenever you have the chance)?
Say “Hi” to your family from me – Give my regards to your family.
Any more questions, just ask – If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
I have to go – I’m afraid there’s a meeting that I have to go to in a couple of minutes.
This is going to have to be really quick – This is just a quick call/ note to say…
Here’s the file – Please find the file attached.
This is about the meeting next week – I am writing to your concerning the meeting on 24 May.
I can’t – I’m afraid that is not really possible at this time.
He’s not here – I’m afraid he is out of the office.
Forward this to Mr Jones – Could you send this to Mr Jones?
You okay to talk? – I hope I haven’t called at a bad time.
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PDF for easy saving and printing: telephone and email politeness
Related pages
16 politeness competition games (TEFLtastic Classics Part 13)
TEFLtastic 