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B1.1: Talking on the phone

Hablando por teléfono

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Learn to handle phone conversations in Spanish using the formal affirmative imperative for usted and ustedes, plus the future simple tense to express probability, with key terms like "teléfono" and "probabilidad."

Exercises

These exercises can be done together during conversation lessons or as homework.

Exercise 1: Imperativo afirmativo formal: "usted" y "ustedes"

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Grammar: Formal affirmative imperative: "usted" y "ustedes"

Show translation Show answers

Siga, Escuchen, Abróchense, Sigan, Escuche, Facture, Póngase, Muestre

1. Seguir (Uds):
... estas personas para facturar.
(Follow these people to invoice.)
2. Seguir (Ud):
... a la azafata hacia la puerta.
(Follow the stewardess to the door.)
3. Abrocharse (Uds):
... los cinturones en este momento.
(Fasten your seatbelts at this moment.)
4. Esuchar (Ud):
... las instrucciones del piloto.
(Listen to the pilot's instructions.)
5. Escuchar (Uds):
... las instrucciones del piloto en todo momento.
(Listen to the pilot's instructions at all times.)
6. Ponerse (Ud):
... cómodo durante el vuelo.
(Make yourself comfortable during the flight.)
7. Mostrar (Ud):
... el pasaporte a la azafata antes de ir al avión.
(Show the passport to the flight attendant before going to the plane.)
8. Facturar (Ud):
... sus maletas antes de ir al control de seguridad.
(Check in your luggage before going to security control.)

Exercise 2: El futuro simple: expresar probabilidad

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Grammar: The futuro simple: expressing probability

Show translation Show answers

dudará, adivinaremos, dudaréis, adivinarás, supondré, estará, será

1.
Quizás vosotros ... de él, pero es un buen chico.
(Perhaps you will doubt him, but he is a good boy.)
2.
María cree que el sospechoso ... descubierto rápido.
(Maria thinks the suspect will be discovered quickly.)
3.
Tal vez yo ... que la situación será más dudosa de lo que parece.
(Perhaps I will suppose that the situation will be more doubtful than it seems.)
4.
A lo mejor Juan ... de ti, porque todo parece dudoso.
(Juan might doubt you, because everything seems doubtful.)
5.
Suponen que la duda ... difícil de entender.
(They suppose that the doubt will be difficult to understand.)
6.
Nosotros no ... el secreto de Juan.
(We will not guess Juan's secret.)
7.
Ana, probablemente ... quién es el sospechoso.
(Ana, you will probably guess who the suspect is.)
8.
¿Crees que el secreto ... bien oculto para siempre?
(Do you think the secret will be well hidden forever?)

Grammar

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B1.1.1 Gramática

Imperativo afirmativo formal: "usted" y "ustedes"

Formal affirmative imperative: "usted" y "ustedes"

B1.1.2 Gramática

El futuro simple: expresar probabilidad

The futuro simple: expressing probability

Verb conjugation tables for this lesson

Tener to have

Subjuntivo presente

Spanish English
(yo) tenga I have
(tú) tengas you have
(él/ella) tenga he/she has
(nosotros/nosotras) tengamos we have
(vosotros/vosotras) tengáis you have
(ellos/ellas) tengan they have

Exercises and examples phrases

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Talking on the Phone in Spanish

This lesson focuses on practical communication skills needed for talking on the phone in Spanish, tailored for B1 level learners. You'll explore the historic impact of Telefónica, a key company in the phone revolution, understanding cultural and technological context. The grammar points covered include the formal affirmative imperative forms using usted and ustedes, essential for polite phone requests or instructions. Additionally, the lesson introduces the simple future tense to express probability or assumptions during conversations.

Telefónica: The Phone Revolution

Understanding Telefónica's role helps you appreciate key vocabulary related to telecommunications and formal communication in Spain and Latin America.

Formal Affirmative Imperative: usted and ustedes

The formal imperative is used to give polite commands or requests over the phone, such as asking someone to wait or confirm information. Examples include:

  • Espere un momento, por favor. (Please wait a moment.)
  • Marque el número otra vez. (Dial the number again.)

The Simple Future Tense: Expressing Probability

In phone conversations, you often need to express assumptions or guesses about situations. The simple future tense is perfect for this purpose. For example:

  • Será complicado comunicar con ellos ahora. (It will probably be difficult to reach them now.)
  • Estará ocupado en este momento. (He/She is probably busy right now.)

Differences Between English and Spanish in Phone Conversations

Spanish uses formal usted and plural ustedes imperative forms to show respect, especially in business or unfamiliar contexts, which is more explicitly marked than in English. While English uses modal verbs or polite wording, Spanish changes the verb form directly. Also, expressing probability with the simple future tense (será, estará) is common in Spanish and corresponds to phrases like "probably is" or "must be" in English.

Useful phrases to practice:

  • ¿Me puede pasar con la señora Pérez? (Could you put me through to Mrs. Pérez?)
  • Espere un momento, por favor. (Wait a moment, please.)
  • Será que están ocupados ahora. (They are probably busy now.)
  • Marque el número correctamente. (Dial the number correctly.)

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