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03.12.2014 Nadia Ilyas Business English, English Vocabulary
Keywords
100+ Useful Expressions, Dialogsand Phrasal Verbs for
SHOPPING!
Whether you love shopping, or just shop when you need to, you
can practice your Englishat the same time!
Shopping is a great way to communicate with lots of different
people, and it really helpsto boost your confidence in speaking
English!
You might hesitate or make mistakesto begin with, if youre a bit
nervous, but thatscompletely normal. You may even find it hard to
understand what the shop assistant issaying to you, if you dont
understand all the words!
If you familiarise yourself with the phrases and vocabulary in
this blog, then youll knowwhat you should expect to hear from the
people you talk to on your shopping spree. Itllmake shopping a more
enjoyable experience, and improve your English too!
The more you do it, the easier it will get, and the more natural
it will feel!
USEFUL SHOPPING VOCABULARY
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People:
CUSTOMERCASHIER / CLERKATTENDANT/ASSISTANTMANAGER
Shopping:
WALLET (MALE)PURSE (FEMALE)SCALETILL / COUNTERBARCODERECEIPTGIFT
RECEIPTAISLESHELF /
SHELVESTROLLEY/SBASKET/SLIFT/SESCALATOR/SBAG/SFITTING ROOMS /
CHANGING ROOMS
Ways to Pay:
CHEQUESCASHNOTESCOINSCARD MACHINECHIP AND PIN MACHNECREDIT CARDS
/ DEBIT CARDSLOYALTY CARD
Where to Buy:
CONVENIENCE STORE / GENERAL STORE / NEWSAGENTS / DEPARTMENT
STORE / SHOP /STORECHEMIST/PHARMACYTOY SHOP / TOY STOREBOOK
SHOPLADIES CLOTHING SHOP / BOUTIQUEMENS CLOTHING SHOP / TAILORSHOE
SHOP / COBBLERSJEWELLERS / JEWELLERY
STOREOPTICIANS/OPTOMETRISTSELECTRICAL STORERECORD SHOPIRONMONGERS /
IRONMONGERYCHARITY SHOP / SECONDHAND SHOPHABERDASHERS /
HABERDASHERYSHOPPING CENTRESHOPPING MALL /
MALLMARKETFLORIST/BOTANISTBUTCHERS
320
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FISHMONGERS / SEAFOOD STOREGREENGROCERS/GROCERY STOREBAKERS /
BAKERYDELICATESSENGROCERSDIY STORE / HOME SUPPLY STOREHARDWARE
STOREOFF LICENCEPOST OFFICESUPERMARKETGARDENING STORE / GARDENING
CENTRE
USEFUL PHRASES THAT A CLERK OR CUSTOMER MIGHTUSE
1. FINDING THE RIGHT STORE / SHOP
Questions:
- Can you recommend a good toy shop/store?- Is there a chemist /
pharmacy in this area?- Where can I get pet food from?- Where is
the nearest shopping centre?- Could you direct me to the nearest
post office please? Do you know where the nearest hardware store
is?
Responses:
- There is a really good book shop just around the corner.- You
can buy that here in the hotel.- The nearest one is a few mile
away.- The best toy shop is in the shopping centre.- The post
office isnt open on Sundays.- The convenience store on the corner
might sell that.
2. OPENING TIMES
Questions:
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COMMUNITY
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- What time are you open until?- What time do you close today?-
Are you open on the weekends?- Are you open all day?- What are your
opening hours?- Are you open on Sundays?- Are you open every day
during the week?- What time do you open tomorrow?
Responses:
- Were open from 9am to 6pm.- Were open on weekdays only (Monday
to Friday).- Were open from 10am to 8pm.- Were open 7 days a week.-
Were open 24/7 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).- Were closed at
lunchtime, between 12pm and 2pm.- Were closed on Bank Holidays
(national holidays).
3. SELECTING GOODS
Clerks / Assistants Questions:
- Can / May I help you?- Can I help you find something?- What
colour would you like?- What size would you like?- Is there
anything else I can help you with?- Would you like to try it on?-
Is that any good?- What can I do for you?- How does it fit?- How
about this one?- Anything else?- Would you like anything else?
Customers Questions:
- Excuse me, do you work here?- Could you help me please?- Im
looking for a .- Im trying to find a .- Could you tell me where the
. is, please?- How much is this?- How much are these?- How much
does this cost?- How much is that . in the window?- Where can I
find the . ?- Do you sell . ?- Do you have any ?- Would you have
this in another colour?- Have you got anything cheaper?- Do you
have something less pricey (expensive)?- Do you have this item in
stock?- Do you have a smaller/bigger/larger size?- Do you know
where else I could try?- Does it come with a guarantee/warranty?-
Where is the changing/fitting room?- Is there somewhere I can try
it/this/them on, please?
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-Where can I weigh my groceries?-Do/Can you deliver?- Do you
have a refund policy?- Is this in the sale?
Clerks / Assistants Responses:
- Im afraid thats the only colour we have.- Sorry, we dont have
any more in stock.- Sorry, we dont sell those / them here.- Im
afraid we dont have any more left.- I have exactly what youre
looking for.- This one is on sale right now!- It comes with a
manufacturers warranty.- It comes with a 1 year guarantee.- The
changing / fitting rooms are that way.- The scales are by the
counter over there. Thats where you can weigh your groceries.- That
one is .(price).- Theyre .(price) each.- You can get a refund if
you keep the receipt safe, and bring it back within 2 weeks.
Customers Responses:
- I dont need any help. Im just browsing, thanks.- No, Im just
looking, thanks.- Wow, thats cheap!- Thats good value.- Oh, thats
expensive.- Thats quite reasonable.- Thats a little over my
budget.- Thats not exactly what Im looking for.- Ill take it.- Ill
take this, please.- Its too long / too short.- Its too tight / too
loose.
4. MAKING PAYMENT
Cashiers / Clerks Questions:
- Are you in the queue?
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- Are you being served?- Whos next?- Next please!- How would you
like to pay?- Will that be cash or credit?- Do you have a loyalty
card?- Would you like a bag?- Can I help you with anything else?-
Will that be all?- Would you like a gift receipt for that?- Would
you like me to gift wrap it for you?- Would you like that gift
wrapped?- Would you like any cashback?- Put your card into the
machine please.- Enter your PIN please.- That comes to .(price)
please.- The total is .(price).- Thats .(price) please.
Customers Questions:
- Do you take credit cards?- Can I pay by cheque please?- Could
I have a receipt please?- Could I have a gift receipt please?-
Could you gift wrap that for me please?- Can I put one item back
please? Ive changed my mind about this one.- Could I leave my bags
here, and pick them up later please?- Do you offer a cash
discount?- Does it have a warranty / guarantee?
Cashiers / Clerks Responses:
- We take / accept all major credit cards.- Sorry, we dont
accept cheques.- Im afraid we take cash only.- Were offering 6
months credit, with no deposit, if youre interested.
Customers Responses:
- Ill pay in cash- Ill pay by card- Heres .(money), keep the
change!- Thats it for today.- Thats all, thanks.- Thank you. Have a
good day!
5. RETURNS AND COMPLAINTS
Questions:
- Who can I speak to about making a complaint?- Could I have a
refund please?- Can I speak to the manager please?- Id like to
return this please.- Id like to make a complaint.- Id like to
change this for a different size please.- Do you have the original
receipt?
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- Did you buy it from one of our other stores?- Can I ask why
youre returning it please?- Can I ask why youve changed your mind
please?
Responses:
- It doesnt work.- It doesnt fit.- It was a gift, but I dont
like it.- It was a gift, but the person I bought it for doesnt like
it.
THINGS WRITTEN ON SIGNS THAT YOU MIGHT SEE
OPENCLOSEDOPEN 24HRS (HOURS) A DAYSPECIAL OFFERSALECLEARANCE
SALECLOSING DOWN SALEEVERYTHING MUST GO!LIQUIDATION SALEGREAT VALUE
PRODUCTSGOOD VALUEBARGAINSBUY 1 GET 1 FREEBUY ONE GET ONE HALF
PRICEHALF PRICE SALE70% OFF EVERYTHINGREDUCED TO CLEAROUT FOR
LUNCHBACK IN 15 MINUTESBACK AT 2PMSHOPLIFTERS WILL BE
PROSECUTEDCCTV IN OPERATION
USING A CREDIT CARD
ENTER YOUR PINPLEASE WAITREMOVE YOUR CARDSIGNATURE
PRICES AND NUMBERS
5.99 = Five pounds and ninety-nine pence (long way)
5.99 = Five, ninety-nine (short way)
$12.75 = Twelve dollars and seventy-five cents (long way)
$12.75 = Twelve seventy-five (short way)
3.20 = Three euros and twenty cents (long way)
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3.20 = Three twenty (short way)
MAKING COMPARISONS
Example Conversation 1:
A: Which sofa should we buy? I cant decide!
B: This one is larger, but its more expensive. I prefer the
smaller one.
Example Conversation 2:
A: I need a new watch, but I dont know which one to get. Can you
give me anysuggestions?
B: Rolex watches are better than Sekonda, but theyre not as
affordable. Sekondawatches are better value for money.
Example Conversation 3:
A: I like the red sweater. What do you think?
B: I like the red one too, but I think the blue one is better,
and the green one is best. Thegreen colour really suits you.
Example Conversation 4:
A: What do you think of this dress? Does it suit me?
B: It suits you well, but the floral print one is my favourite,
and its more suitable for thisseason.
Different ways of asking someone to SHOW you something:
- Can you show me the .. please? (Informal)- Could you show me
the .. please? (Informal / Formal / More Polite)- Would you be so
kind to show me the .. please? (Formal)- Id like to see the ..
please.- Could you direct me to the . aisle please?
When you want to TRY something, you can say:
- Do you have any testers for these (lipstick) colours?- Can I
try it / them on, please?- Could I try it / them on, please?- Is it
okay if I try this / these on?
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- Where can I try it / them on?- Where are the changing rooms,
please?
If youd like the shop assistant to give you a DIFFERENT SIZE
ORCOLOUR, you could say:
- Do you have it / them in size .. please?- Do you have
this/these in a smaller / bigger / larger size please?- Can I try
the larger / small one please?- Do you have it / them in a
different colour please?- This is a little too tight / loose, do
you have another one?
When you finally decide what you want to BUY, you can say:
- Wow, this one is great. Ill take it!- This one is perfect, Ill
take it thanks.- Ill have this one, please!- Can I buy the . ,
please?- How much is it / are they?- Id like to buy this one,
please.- Id like to buy it / them, please.
EXAMPLE CONVERSATION BETWEEN A SHOP ASSISTANT (A),CUSTOMER (B),
AND CASHIER (C)
A: Hi there, can I help you with anything?B: Yes please, Im
looking for a T-shirt.A: What size are you?B: Im a medium.A: What
colour would you like?B: Maybe a blue or green one.A: Here you are.
How about these?B: Thank you. Can I try them on anywhere?A:
Certainly, the changing room is over there.B: Thank you.A: How do
they fit?B: Theyre both fantastic. I really like them.A: Yes, the
blue looks nice on you, it really brings out your eye colour.B:
Thank you. Ill buy both of them!A: Great! Please go to the tills,
and pay over there.B: Alright, thank you for your help.
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C: Whos next please!B: Hi there, Id like to buy these please.C:
OK, how would you like to pay?B: Do you take credit cards?C: Yes,
we do. B: Okay, heres my credit card.C: Enter your pin number into
the machine please.B: Okay, done.C: Thank you. Shall I put your
receipt in the bag?B: Yes please.C: Here you go. Have a nice day!B:
Thank you, goodbye!
EXAMPLE CONVERSATION BETWEEN A CASHIER (A), AND CUSTOMER(B)
A: Are you next in the queue sir?B: Yes, Id like to buy this
watch as a gift for my wife please.A: Okay, would you like me to
gift wrap it for you? B: Yes please, that would be great!A: Are you
sure this is the right size for your wife?B Im not sure, its just a
guess!A: I can print a gift receipt so she doesnt see the price,
but can bring it back to change thesize if she needs to. Would you
like me to do that? B: Yes please, that would be amazing!A: Okay,
thatll be sixty-five dollars and ninety-five cents for the watch
please.B: Can I pay by cheque please?A: No, Im afraid we dont
accept cheques.B: Okay no problem, Ill pay by debit card then.A:
Please insert your card into the machine, and then enter your
PIN.B: Okay, done.A: Would you like me to put the gift receipt in
the box with the watch?B: Yes please, thatll be perfect.A: Here you
go sir. Enjoy the rest of your day.B: Thank you very much!
USEFUL PHRASAL VERBS RELATED TO SHOPPING
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PUT ON (to place something on a surface or person)
Put your items on the counter please.Why dont you put on that
new jacket you bought yesterday?
TRY ON (to test an item to see if it is suitable)
Can I try these dresses on somewhere please?
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TRY OUT (to test something to see if you like it)
Id like totry outthis lipstick colour please, do you have a
tester for it?
THROW ON (to wear something casually)
Im looking for a simple, comfortable dress that I can just throw
on.
DROP IN (to visit someone casually)
Drop in during your lunch break when you have more time, and Ill
help you find theright pair of shoes for you.
POUR IN (enter in high quantity)
The supermarket was so busy over the Christmas weekend. The
customers startedpouring in, as soon as the doors opened!
POP IN (to visit someone, informal)
Ill book you an appointment, and you can pop in for a
consultation with one of ouropticians.
BROUGHT IN (to make something new for the first time)
We have brought ina brand new summer collection now, so the old
winter range ison sale.
CAVE IN (to surrender or give up to persuasion)
The shop assistant was so convincing that this dress was the
best one for me, that Icaved in and bought it, even though it was
so expensive!
THROW IN/CHUCK IN (to include in addition to something chuck is
more informalthan throw)
If you buy this laptop, Ill chuck in a free laptop case for
you.
END UP (to finally make a decision abut something, after lengthy
consideration)
I couldnt decide which one to buy, so I ended up buying both of
them
COME UP (when something is approaching/arriving)
I need to buy a gift for my friend, his birthday is coming
up.
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TAKE UP (to choose to start doing something new)
Im thinking of taking up the violin, could you buy one for my
next birthday please?
BRING DOWN (reduce the amount of something)
We have brought down the prices, because were having a huge sale
before thewinter!
TURN DOWN (to refuse or reject something)
He bought a really expensive watch for me, but I turned it down.
I couldnt accept it!
POP OUT (to leave to go somewhere for a short time)
Im just going to pop out to the cash machine, could you save
these items for meplease?Im just popping out to buy some bread and
milk from the local store.
OPT OUT (to choose not to be a part of something)
They gave me the option of getting everything on credit, but I
opted out because Iprefer buying things upfront, than being in
debt.
RULE OUT (to decide that something is not suitable / remove
something from a list ofoptions)
Im not sure which laptop to buy. I think Ill rule out this one,
because its tooexpensive. Now I just have to decide between these
two.
PHASE OUT (to gradually remove something from existence in one
place)
Sorry, we dont sell those anymore. We phased them out last year,
because theywerent very popular.
SELL OUT (to sell the whole supply of something)
Im afraid all those watches have sold out now; they were very
popular overChristmas!
HELP OUT (to assist someone)
Could you help me out please? I cant do the zip up on this
dress!
DO UP (to fasten something)
-
Could you do the zip up on this dress for me please?
STAND OUT (to be distinctive or more noticeable than others)
This sweater stands out from the rest. I love the vibrant
colours!
WALK OUT ON (to abandon someone angrily)
I was so disappointed with their service, that I just walked out
on them, and I didntpay!
PAY OFF (to pay back all you owe)
I have finally paid off all the money I owed on my credit card!
Its such a relief!
PULL OFF (to succeed in doing something difficult)
Wow, not many people can pull off that outfit, but you look
stunning in it!
TOP OFF (to end or finish something in a special way)
I got an amazing deal on this computer, and to top it off, they
gave me an extra threeyears free warranty!!
RIP OFF (to charge someone excessively)
They ripped you off! I bought that for half the price in a
different store!
GIVE BACK (to return something)
Ill have to give this ringback to Tom, because he broke off the
engagement.
TAKE BACK (to decide on returning something in the near
future)
Im going to take this back to the store, and see if I can get a
different colour.
PAY BACK (to pay what you owe)
If you get our loyalty card now, you wont have to pay the whole
amount today,instead you can pay us back ininstallmentseach
month.
TALK OVER (to discuss something before making a decision)
I do love this sofa, but Ill need to talk it over with my wife
before committing tobuying it.
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Nadia is a British English teacher and the head writer
atMyEnglishTeacher.eu. In her free time she loves mountaineering
andtravelling around the world.
By Nadia Ilyas English Teacher and Blog Writer
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WRITTEN BY: NADIA ILYAS
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17comments
SyedKhushnoodHiraSchool&CollegeCharbaghSwattheseareveryhelpfulphrases.....ilikeit.ReplyLike
FollowPostNovember17,2014at6:59pm1
MyEnglishTeacher.euThankyouforyourcomment.I'mgladyoulikethispost:)
MelReplyLikeNovember24,2014at10:36am
AlexPesaroWorksatUniversityofLincolnReallyhelpfulandwellwritten.A+ReplyLike
FollowPostAugust17,2014at11:52am1
MyEnglishTeacher.euThankyouverymuchAlex!Letmeknowifyouhaveanyquestionsyouwantustoanswer.ReplyLikeAugust22,2014at4:03pm
BrankaMladenovicYoureallycanbeproud!ReplyLike
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MyEnglishTeacher.euThanksalot,Branka:)ReplyLikeMarch19,2014at1:08pm
AbiyNigusuitisnice,IlikeitReplyLike
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MyEnglishTeacher.euGladyoulikeit!Thankyouforthecomment:)ReplyLikeApril16,2014at7:50am
NajiaSarmashqGreat!ReplyLike
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MyEnglishTeacher.euThankyou:)I'mgladyoulikeit!ReplyLikeMarch13,2014at12:02pm
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