Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[muni]

if i want to to talk to Mr abc and he is in the cafe taria and when i called what should i say to that person who pick up the phone to tell him that i want to talk to Mr abc
can i say that
could you please check if Mr abc is here ........
or any other better way


2)can i make a phone call.....(is it correct)

[bud]

1. You are here. Mr. ABC is there (at the cafeteria). So, "Could you please check if Mr. ABC is there?" I can't think of anything better for that situation, Muni.

2. Technically, no, but very many people would ask it in that way. Better is "/Would you mind if/Could/May/ I use your phone?" All are more polite and more technically correct than using "can." "Would you mind..." is very polite, a good choice when asking your new boss.

("Can I use" literally means "Am I capable of using")