Shops are a safe place to practise. The conversations are short, they repeat, and nobody minds if you speak slowly.
1. Asking the Price
Customer: Excuse me. How much is this?
Clerk: Twenty-five dollars.
Customer: And this one?
Clerk: The same price.
Customer: That's a bit expensive.
Clerk: This one is cheaper.
2. Asking for a Different Size
Customer: Do you have this in a larger size?
Clerk: What size do you need?
Customer: Medium, please.
Clerk: Let me check. Yes, here you are.
Customer: Thank you.
3. Trying Something On
Customer: Can I try this on?
Clerk: Of course. The fitting room is over there.
Customer: Thank you.
Clerk: How was it?
Customer: It's too small. Do you have a bigger one?
Clerk: I'll have a look.
4. Asking About Colour
Customer: Does this come in blue?
Clerk: Only black and white, I'm afraid.
Customer: That's a shame.
Clerk: The black one is very popular.
Customer: Okay, I'll take the black.
5. Paying
Clerk: That's thirty dollars, please.
Customer: Can I pay by card?
Clerk: Yes. Card or cash, both are fine.
Customer: Card, please.
Clerk: Would you like a bag?
Customer: No, thank you. I have one.
6. Finding Your Way in the Shop
Customer: Excuse me. Where are the shoes?
Staff: On the second floor.
Customer: Is there a lift?
Staff: Yes, next to the stairs.
Customer: Thanks for your help.
Staff: Any time.
7. Returning Something
Customer: I'd like to return this, please.
Clerk: Is there a problem with it?
Customer: It doesn't fit.
Clerk: Do you have the receipt?
Customer: Yes, here it is.
Clerk: No problem. I'll refund you.
8. Talking About Money
Ana: That shop is so expensive.
Ben: I know. I can't afford it.
Ana: There's a cheaper one near the station.
Ben: Really? Is it good?
Ana: Yes, and there's a sale this week.
Ben: Let's go on Saturday.
Words to know
| expensive | costing a lot of money That's a bit expensive. |
| cheap | not costing much This one is cheaper. |
| size | how big or small something is What size do you need? |
| fit | to be the right size for you It doesn't fit. |
| receipt | the paper you get after paying Do you have the receipt? |
| refund | to give money back I'll refund you. |
| afford | to have enough money for something I can't afford it. |
| sale | a time when prices are lower There's a sale this week. |
Quick practice
Complete each sentence with an expression from the lessons.
1. A: Excuse me. ________ is this?
B: Twenty-five dollars.
2. A: Do you have this in a larger ________?
B: What size do you need?
3. A: Can I ________ this on?
B: Of course. The fitting room is over there.
4. A: Would you like a ________?
B: No, thank you. I have one.
5. A: I'd like to ________ this, please.
B: Is there a problem with it?
6. A: That shop is so expensive.
B: I know. I can't ________ it.
Show the answers
1. How much 2. size 3. try 4. bag 5. return 6. afford
Common mistakes
Not: How much cost this?
Say: How much is this?
The natural question is How much is it? — no extra verb.
Not: This shirt is too much small.
Say: This shirt is too small.
Too already means more than you want. Do not add much.
Not: I want return this.
Say: I'd like to return this.
Use I'd like to in a shop. It is polite and always correct.
Your turn
Imagine you are buying a jacket. Say these five things aloud in order.
- Ask how much it costs.
- Ask if they have it in your size.
- Ask if you can try it on.
- Say it is too small and ask for a bigger one.
- Ask if you can pay by card.
Quick review
Pick one thing in your room and describe buying it: the price, the size, the colour, how you paid. Say it out loud twice. Shopping English is short and repeats every time, so a little practice goes a long way.