COULD I TELL HIM WHO'S CALLING?

Could I tell him who's calling?: translation

Could I tell him who's calling? & Can I tell her who's calling? & May I tell him who's calling?

a question asked by people who answer the telephone to find out politely who is asking for someone. (

Him

or

her

can be replaced by a person's name or by a plural pronoun.) •

Mary (on the phone): Hello. Could I speak to Bill Franklin? Sally: Could I tell him who's calling? Mary: It's Mary Peters. Sally: Oh yes, he's expecting your call. I'll get him for you.