Anonymous  +  214997 Thu, 13 Apr 06 03:23 PM Hi everyone.  I need help.  I want to change my my message recorded on my answering machine.  Does this sound right: Hi you've reached_______we're not home right now.  Please leave a message and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.  When leaving your message.  Please specify who the message is for, your name, your phone number and what your call is in reference to.  Otherwise, your call will not be returned.  Thank you. Is this okay? Or does it need some changes? Thank you Anonymous

	Clive  +  215031 Thu, 13 Apr 06 05:54 PM Hi, Hi you've reached_______we're not home right now.  Please leave a message and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.  When leaving your message.  Please specify who the message is for, your name, your phone number and what your call is in reference to.  Otherwise, your call will not be returned.  Thank you. The part I've put in italics sounds much too peremptory, it's like you are giving me orders followed by a threat. It sounds rude. It sounds like you think I am stupid. It's better just to say Hi you've reached_______we're not home right now.  Please leave a message and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.  Thank you. Best wishes, Clive Clive Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004 Canada Veteran Member 29,575 El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo

	Clive  +  215032 Thu, 13 Apr 06 05:54 PM Hi, Hi you've reached_______we're not home right now.  Please leave a message and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.  When leaving your message.  Please specify who the message is for, your name, your phone number and what your call is in reference to.  Otherwise, your call will not be returned.  Thank you. The part I've put in italics sounds much too peremptory, it's like you are giving me orders followed by a threat. It sounds rude. It sounds like you think I am stupid. It's better just to say Hi you've reached_______we're not home right now.  Please leave a message and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.  Thank you. Best wishes, Clive Clive

	Clive  +  215030 Thu, 13 Apr 06 05:54 PM Hi, Hi you've reached_______we're not home right now.  Please leave a message and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.  When leaving your message.  Please specify who the message is for, your name, your phone number and what your call is in reference to.  Otherwise, your call will not be returned.  Thank you. The part I've put in italics sounds much too peremptory, it's like you are giving me orders followed by a threat. It sounds rude. It sounds like you think I am stupid. It's better just to say Hi you've reached_______we're not home right now.  Please leave a message and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.  Thank you. Best wishes, Clive Clive

	Grammar Geek  +  215071 Thu, 13 Apr 06 07:22 PM Geez, Clive, you must have felt pretty strongly about this!  Grammar Geek Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006 Veteran Member 19,650 Barbara, who answers in American English. My housekeeping skills attest to the truth of the second law of thermodynamics: Left to themselves, things get more and more random!

	Clive  +  215135 Thu, 13 Apr 06 11:21 PM Hi, No kidding! I thought the system prevented duplicate (and triplicate) posts? Clive Clive Clive Clive

	MrPedantic  +  215170 Fri, 14 Apr 06 01:47 AM I wouldn't say you're "not at home", Anon. Why make it easy for the enterprising burglar? MrP MrPedantic Joined on Tue, Oct 12 2004 Veteran Member 12,592 ...opella forensis / adducit febris...