LUKE: Hello? Hi, Stephanie, how are things at the office?
STEPHANIE: Hi, Luke! How are you? Can you please stop and pick up extra paper for the computer printer?
LUKE: What did you say? Can you repeat that, please? Did you say to pick up ink for the printer? Sorry, the phone is cutting out.
STEPHANIE: Can you hear me now? No, I need more computer paper. Listen, I’ll text you exactly what I need. Thanks, Luke. Talk to you later.
LUKE: Thanks, Stephanie. Sorry, my phone has really bad reception here.
• There are a few ways to express a lack of understanding and to request additional information. The most common ones are stated, but you can also say “Excuse me” or simply “I can’t hear you.” In a more formal situation, try saying “I’m sorry?” or “I beg your pardon?” (with a rising intonation).
• When asking someone to clarify information try saying Can you please repeat that? /
Can you spell that for me? / Can you please write down the address for me?
• Cutting out describes a difficulty in understanding a caller due to poor cellphone reception. If you are having trouble understanding the caller, you can also say The line is breaking up / I am losing you. If the phone call is disconnected because of poor reception, you can say The call dropped.
• Talk to you later is the equivalent in a phone conversation of “See you later” in a regular, face-to-face conversation.
• Reception here means the availability of cellular service, the possibility to receive and give calls on a cellphone. Cellphone reception can be limited in remote areas, inside large buildings or underground (in the subway, for instance).