Business English for client calls
- Free
- No card
- 8 phrases
Say these, not just read them
“Thanks for making the time today.”
A warm, professional opener that respects the client's schedule without over-apologizing for taking it.
“Just so I've understood correctly…”
Checks understanding as a statement to confirm, not a question that signals doubt about your own listening.
“You're cutting out a little — could you repeat that?”
The direct, professional way to handle a bad connection instead of guessing what you half-heard.
“Let me make sure I've captured that correctly.”
Buys a beat to write down a commitment accurately, especially numbers or dates.
“I'll follow up with that in writing.”
Converts a verbal agreement into something both sides can point back to.
“What would be most helpful for you right now?”
Redirects a vague or frustrated client toward something concrete you can actually act on.
“Let's set a time to check in on this.”
Closes with a scheduled next step, not a vague "I'll be in touch."
“I appreciate your patience on this.”
Acknowledges a delay or issue directly without over-apologizing, which can read as less confident than the situation warrants.
More to try
A client sounds frustrated about a delay. Respond, acknowledging it and proposing a next step.
Read this call closing aloud, at your normal pace.
“Just so I've understood correctly, we'll send the revised proposal by Friday, and you'll confirm internally by the following Wednesday. I'll follow up with that in writing. Thanks again for making the time today.”
The delivery metrics worth watching
Pace, pauses, and stress
On a call with no video, pace and clarity carry everything a client would otherwise read from your face — a steady pace with clear pauses between ideas reads as composed, even over a patchy connection. Read more about how sayit measures pace and clarity on speak-english-clearly.Straight answers
How do I sound confident on a client call in a second language?
Script your opening line and your closing summary word for word, and practise them until they're automatic. Those two moments set the client's whole impression, and having them solid frees your attention for the harder, unscripted middle.
What do I say when I don't understand what a client said?
"You're cutting out a little — could you repeat that?" or "Sorry, could you say that once more?" Both are direct and professional — far better than guessing and answering the wrong question.
How do I close a call so nothing gets lost afterward?
Restate the agreed next steps out loud before you hang up ("Just so I've understood correctly…"), then say you'll follow up in writing. The verbal restatement catches misunderstandings live; the written follow-up gives both sides a record.
Say it the way you would in a real client calls
Free, no card. Pace, filler words, pauses, and the exact sounds to fix — the same depth a paying member sees.