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Telephone conversations

Lessons 1–2 · 2 lessons · L. Jurayev, M. Abdullayeva, H. Tuhtarova, S. Khan, L. Tsoy, K. Inogamova, L. Matskevich, R. Ziryanova. Fly High English 9 (English, Grade 9), revised and expanded 2nd edition. “Yangiyo‘l Poligraf Servis”, Tashkent, 2014
2

Making phone calls

Textbook: p. 7
GoalMaking requests and leaving a message on the phone: Could you tell him ...? Could you ask him to ...?
New words
to leave a message · xabar qoldirmoqto call back · qayta qo‘ng‘iroq qilmoqnot in / out · uyda yo‘qto ask (someone) to do · iltimos qilmoq
Explanation

If the person you want is not available you can leave a message. First the other person apologises: I’m sorry, he’s out. Then he or she asks Can I take a message? You give information with Could you tell him that ...? or make a request with Could you ask him to + infinitive? Note the difference: ask him to call me (with to) but tell him that I called (with that). Could ... sounds more polite than Can ... . The call ends with Thank you / Goodbye.

Worked examples
A: Could I speak to Madina, please? B: I’m sorry, she’s at the dentist’s. Can I take a message? A: Yes. Could you ask her to phone Timur this evening? B: Of course. I’ll tell her. A: Thanks. Bye.
Could you tell her that the lesson starts at nine? – Could you ask him to bring the dictionary? (tell + that, ask + to)
Class activity

“Message relay”: A phones and leaves a message, B writes it down and passes it on aloud to the next pupil.

Practice
1
Choose: Could you ask him (call / to call) me back?
2
Your friend is out. Leave a polite message: there is football tomorrow at 5.
3
How does the person who answers offer to take a message?
4
Why is “Could you ...?” often better than “Can you ...?”