Phone English · Practical conversation
The call is breaking up. What can you say?
You’re speaking English on the phone when someone’s voice suddenly cuts in and out. You hear a few words, but not the whole sentence. You don’t need to pretend you understood. Explain the problem, ask again, confirm what matters, and offer to call back.
Start with: “Sorry, you’re breaking up. Could you say that again, please?”
Say what’s happening
“Sorry, you’re breaking up.”
This means the caller’s voice is cutting in and out. It doesn’t mean the conversation is ending.
Ask for a clear repeat
“Could you repeat that, please?”
Ask for the important part again instead of guessing about times, dates, names, or numbers.
Eight useful phrases for a bad connection
| Say this | Use it when… |
|---|---|
| “Sorry, you’re breaking up.” | The sound cuts in and out. |
| “I can’t hear you clearly.” | The caller’s voice is too quiet or distorted. |
| “Could you say that again, please?” | You missed part of a sentence. |
| “Could you speak a little more slowly?” | You need a slower repeat. |
| “The line is really bad.” | The connection is making the call difficult. |
| “Did you say three fifteen or three fifty?” | You need to check a specific time or number. |
| “Can I call you back in five minutes?” | The connection isn’t improving. |
| “Could you send that in a text message?” | You need an accurate written record. |
A realistic phone conversation
Caller: Hi! I’m calling about tomorrow’s appointment.
You: Sorry, you’re breaking up. Could you repeat that, please?
Caller: Sure. Your appointment has moved to three fifteen.
You: I didn’t catch the time. Did you say three fifteen or three fifty?
Caller: Three fifteen. That’s 3:15 PM.
You: Okay, 3:15 PM tomorrow. Is that right?
Caller: Yes, that’s correct.
You: The line is still bad. Could you send me a text to confirm?
Caller: Of course. I’ll send one now.
You: Great, thank you!
Four steps when the signal gets bad
“Sorry, you’re breaking up.”
“Could you repeat the last part?”
“So that’s 3:15 tomorrow, right?”
“Can I call you back?”
Natural English tip: “You’re breaking up” describes the audio cutting out. “The call dropped” means the connection ended completely.
Important details: Never guess a price, appointment time, address, or telephone number. Repeat it aloud or ask for a text or email confirmation.
Problem → Need → Request
The voice keeps cutting out.
I need to understand the appointment time.
Could you repeat the time slowly, please?
Put it together: “Sorry, the line is bad. I need to confirm the appointment time. Could you repeat it slowly, please?”
Try the 60-second Practice Mission
- Pretend the other person’s voice is cutting out. Say: “Sorry, you’re breaking up.”
- Ask for the missed words: “Could you repeat that, please?”
- Confirm one detail: “So that’s 3:15, right?”
- Finish politely: “Can I call you back in five minutes?”
Stop memorizing English. Start using it. · Learn it. Prepare for it. Go use it.
