monday

When we take notes on information we hear over the phone, we often need to write down the information quickly. The use of abbreviations is a helpful strategy while taking messages.

Task 1:

Write the full word or expression (or meaning) beside each abbreviation below. Add other abbreviations (and their meanings) you commonly use or would like to know the meaning of. Share them with the class.

1. AGM  annual general meeting                          13. RSVP respond soon via phone

2. apt.  apartment                                                14. ste.  suite

3. asap  as soon as possible                                15. urg.  urgent

4. co.    company                                                16. w/   with

5. ext.    extension                                               17. w/o  without

6. FYI     for your information                              18. cc. carbon copy

7. inv.     invoice                                                19. e.g. for example given

8. mo.    month                                                  21. etc. and so forth

9. no. or #   number                                             22. i.e. that is 

10. mt.     meeting                                                23. vs. versus 

11. N/A   not applicable                                        24. p.s. postscript

12. impt.  important                                              25. n.b. take notice 

Telephone Phrasal Verbs

Task 2:

The following are common phrasal verbs we often use while on the telephone. Match the correct meaning with each phrasal verb.

1. hold on  g	a. put the receiver down
2. put (a call) through e	b. return someone’s call
3. get through    j	c. answer a call, lift the receiver to take a call
4. hang up    a	d. stop talking on the phone
5. call up  l	e. connect one caller to another
6. hang on  m	f. deactivate (a cell phone)
7. call back  b	g. wait
8. pick up  c	h. talk louder
9. get off (the phone)  d	i. to be disconnected abruptly during a telephone conversation
10. get back to (someone)   k	j. to be connected to someone on the phone
11. cut off    i	k. return someone’s call
12. switch off/turn off  f	l. make a telephone call
13. speak up  h	m. Wait

Task 3:

 Some phrasal verbs are separable (e.g., call someone back); others are not. Complete the chart below by putting the phrasal verbs above under the correct column.

                                                                                           

Separable	Not separable
Put a call through	hold on
call back	get through
call up	get off
cut off	speak up
pick up	hang on
switch off/turn off	get back to
hang up