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Office & Administration vocabulary · Phone Calls & Etiquette

May I ask who's calling?

Meaning in office & administration, with examples

phraseCore term

In office & administration, May I ask who's calling? means: A polite question used on the phone to find out the caller's name before passing them to the person they want to speak to.

In Turkish: Kim arıyor acaba?, Kiminle görüşüyorum?, Adınızı alabilir miyim?

How it is used

Standard for receptionists and assistants, and much softer than "Who are you?" or "Who is this?". Similar phrases: "Who shall I say is calling?", "Could I take your name, please?" Then: "One moment, please. I'll see if she's available."

Example sentences

  1. Certainly. May I ask who's calling?

  2. May I ask who's calling, and what it's regarding?

Common collocations

  • May I ask who's calling?
  • Who shall I say is calling?
  • Could I take your name?
  • What's it regarding?
  • put throughTo connect a caller to the person or department they want to speak to by transferring the call.
  • take a messageTo write down information from a caller for someone who is not available, such as the caller's name, number and reason for calling.
  • put on holdTo keep a caller waiting on the line for a short time, usually while you check something or find the right person.
  • receptionistA person who works at the main entrance desk of an office, hotel or clinic, greeting visitors, answering the phone and directing people to the right place.

More terms: Phone Calls & Etiquette

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