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  please reply

2. apt.             apartment                             14. ste.      Suit

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

4. co.              company                              16. w/        With

5. ext.             extension number                  17. w/o      Without

6. FYI             For Your Information           18. cc.        Carbon copy

7. inv.              Invoice                                19. e.g.       Example

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

9. no. or #        Number                              22. i.e.       That is

10. mt.             Meeting                               23. vs.       Versus

11. N/A            Not Available                      24. p.s.      Post sectiption

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                           gm	f. deactivate (a cell phone)
7. call back                          k	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)    bk	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 call up cut off pick up switch/turn off	Speak up hang on get back to get through get back