|
|
#2 (permalink) Thu Nov 22, 2007 5:07 am How may I direct your call? vs How may I help you? |
|
|
| Milla wrote: |
Business Idiom in English, Intermediate level
ESL/EFL Test #112 "Placing an order via phone", question 1
Receptionist 1: Thank you for calling ABC Inc., this is Mary. How may I ......... your call?
(a) send (b) drive (c) pass (d) direct
Business Idiom in English, Intermediate level
ESL/EFL Test #112 "Placing an order via phone", answer 1
Receptionist 1: Thank you for calling ABC Inc., this is Mary. How may I direct your call?
Correct answer: (d) direct _________________________
what don't you use how may I help you?
Milla |
Hi Milla, you can use how may I help you, however most of the time, the receptionist cannot really "help" the customers, she/he can only patch them through the right person whom they wish to speak to. Therefore, how may I direct your call is used by most receptionists. |
|
Toefl I'm new here and I like it ;-)
Joined: 19 Jan 2006 Posts: 41 Location: Toronto
|
|
#3 (permalink) Thu Nov 22, 2007 7:09 am How may I direct your call? vs How may I help you? |
|
|
| Help is too general verb. You can direct somebody's call, you can get down a message, you can give some advice - all these actions fall under one verb - help. Apparently that receptionist can only direct calls |
|
Lost_Soul I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 15 Sep 2006 Posts: 1861 Location: South Park, Colorado, USA
|
 |
#4 (permalink) Thu Nov 22, 2007 8:35 am How may I direct your call? vs How may I help you? |
|
|
. In my experience, Milla, 'How may I help you?' or 'May I help you?' is indeed the common phrase used by receptionists. In fact, I have never heard 'How may I direct your call?' in any calls I have made. . _________________ Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's |
|
Mister Micawber Language Coach
Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 13015
|
 |
#5 (permalink) Sun Nov 25, 2007 15:45 pm How may I direct your call? vs How may I help you? |
|
|
| Mister Micawber wrote: |
. In my experience, Milla, 'How may I help you?' or 'May I help you?' is indeed the common phrase used by receptionists. In fact, I have never heard 'How may I direct your call?' in any calls I have made. . |
Mister Micawber, you should visit Canada sometimes, here is is widely used: "How may I direct your call". |
|
Toefl I'm new here and I like it ;-)
Joined: 19 Jan 2006 Posts: 41 Location: Toronto
|
 |
#6 (permalink) Sun Nov 25, 2007 22:49 pm How may I direct your call? vs How may I help you? |
|
|
.
| Quote: |
| Therefore, how may I direct your call is used by most receptionists. |
Then you should revise your statement, toefl: '...by most receptionists in Canada'. However, I still don't think your statement is true. I was an administrator at the University of Alberta for several years, used the phone frequently, and to my recollection never heard the phrase. . _________________ Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's |
|
Mister Micawber Language Coach
Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 13015
|
 |
|
| WHat does hazard mean? | expression: she would have been bitten |