Everyday phrase choices

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1. You missed the last few words. Ask the speaker to say them again.

   Could you repeat the last part, please?
   Could you repeat asks for the same words again. Please makes the request considerate.

2. You need the spelling of a caller's surname. What do you ask?

   Could you spell your last name, please?
   Spell asks for the letters in a word or name. Last name means surname here.

3. You cannot hear well on the phone. Describe the audio problem.

   The line is breaking up.
   The line is breaking up means the phone sound is interrupted. It does not describe a booking or a price.

4. You are meeting a new colleague for the first time. Choose a greeting.

   Nice to meet you.
   Nice to meet you is used on a first introduction. The context is a new colleague.

5. You want someone to wait briefly on the phone.

   Could you hold for a moment, please?
   Hold on a phone call means wait while the call stays connected.

6. You did not understand an expression. Ask for its meaning.

   What does that expression mean?
   What does ... mean asks for an explanation of meaning.

7. You need time to check your schedule before accepting an invitation.

   Let me check my calendar first.
   Let me check my calendar first delays your answer while you check availability.

8. You want the price of a displayed bag.

   How much is this bag?
   How much asks about price here. Far asks distance; long asks duration; often asks frequency.

9. You want to end a work email by thanking someone for assistance.

   Thank you for your help.
   Thank you for your help directly acknowledges the assistance.

10. You want to confirm a meeting time you think you heard correctly.

    Did you say Thursday at ten?
    Did you say ... repeats the detail for confirmation. The speaker can correct it.

11. You accidentally interrupt a person speaking. What acknowledges it?

    Sorry, please go ahead.
    Please go ahead invites the other person to continue speaking.

12. You need a written copy of the details from a call.

    Could you email me the details, please?
    Email me the details asks for the information in writing through email.