LET'S GO SHOPPING. SPEAKING TASK
You have to write and practise orally a dialogue in a shop between a customer and a shop assistant.Take into account:
You must use four headings at least of the material provided below
You must use as much as provided vocabulary as you can
You must write160 words at least.
There will be questions in which you will have to improvise.
Supported material from myenglishteacher.eu
Here is what you will find in this article. Click on any topic you want to read more about!
- Shopping Vocabulary
- Finding the right store / shop
- Opening times
- Selecting goods
- Making Payment
- Returns and complaints
- Things written on signs
- Using a credit card
- Prices and numbers
- Making comparisons
- Different ways of asking someone to SHOW you something
- When you want to TRY something
- If you’d like the shop assistant to give you a DIFFERENT SIZE OR COLOUR
- When you finally decide what you want to BUY
- Example conversations between a shop assistant, customer and cashier
- Phrasal verbs related to shopping
Shopping is a great way to communicate with lots of different people, and it really helps to boost your confidence in speaking English!
You might hesitate or make mistakes to begin with, if you’re a bit nervous, but that’s completely normal. You may even find it hard to understand what the shop assistant is saying to you, if you don’t understand all the words!
If you familiarise yourself with the phrases and vocabulary in this blog, then you’ll know what you should expect to hear from the people you talk to on your shopping spree. It’ll make 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!
- Cashier / clerk
- Attendant / assistant
- Wallet (male)
- Purse (female)
- Till / Counter
- Gift receipt
- Shelf / shelves
- Trolley / s
- Basket / s
- Lift / s
- Escalator / s
- Bag / s
- Fitting rooms / changing rooms
- Card machine
- Chop and pin machine
- Credit cards / debit cards
- Loyalty card
- convenience store / general store / newsagents / department store / shop / store
- chemist / pharmacy
- toy shop / toy store
- book shop
- ladies clothing shop / boutique
- men’s clothing shop / tailor
- shoe shop / cobbler’s
- jeweller’s / jewellery store
- opticians / optometrists
- electrical store
- record shop
- ironmonger’s / ironmongery
- charity shop / second hand shop
- haberdasher’s / haberdashery
- shopping centre
- shopping mall / mall
- florist / botanist
- fishmonger’s / seafood store
- greengrocers / grocery store
- baker’s / bakery
- DIY store / home supply store
- hardware store
- post office
- gardening store / gardening centre
USEFUL PHRASES THAT A CLERK OR CUSTOMER MIGHT USE1. Finding the right store / shop
- 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?
- 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 isn’t open on Sundays.
- The convenience store on the corner might sell that.
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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?
- We’re open from 9am to 6pm.
- We’re open on weekdays only (Monday to Friday).
- We’re open from 10am to 8pm.
- We’re open 7 days a week.
- We’re open 24/7 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
- We’re closed at lunchtime, between 12pm and 2pm.
- We’re closed on Bank Holidays (national holidays).
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Clerk’s / Assistant’s 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?
- Excuse me, do you work here?
- Could you help me please?
- I’m looking for a ….
- I’m 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?
- Where can I weigh my groceries?
- Do/Can you deliver?
- Do you have a refund policy?
- Is this in the sale?
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- I’m afraid that’s the only colour we have.
- Sorry, we don’t have any more in stock.
- Sorry, we don’t sell those / them here.
- I’m afraid we don’t have any more left.
- I have exactly what you’re looking for.
- This one is on sale right now!
- It comes with a manufacturer’s warranty.
- It comes with a 1-year guarantee.
- The changing / fitting rooms are that way.
- The scales are by the counter over there. That’s where you can weigh your groceries.
- That one is ….(price).
- They’re ….(price) each.
- You can get a refund if you keep the receipt safe, and bring it back within 2 weeks.
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- I don’t need any help. I’m just browsing, thanks.
- No, I’m just looking, thanks.
- Wow, that’s cheap!
- That’s good value.
- Oh, that’s expensive.
- That’s quite reasonable.
- That’s a little over my budget.
- That’s not exactly what I’m looking for.
- I’ll take it.
- I’ll take this, please.
- It’s too long / too short.
- It’s too tight / too loose.
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Cashier’s / Clerk’s Questions:
- Are you in the queue?
- Are you being served?
- Who’s 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).
- That’s ….(price), please.
- 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? I’ve 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?
- We take / accept all major credit cards.
- Sorry, we don’t accept cheques.
- I’m afraid we take cash only.
- We’re offering 6 months credit, with no deposit, if you’re interested.
- I’ll pay in cash
- I’ll pay by card
- Here’s ….(money), keep the change!
- That’s it for today.
- That’s all, thanks.
- Thank you. Have a good day!
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- Who can I speak to about making a complaint?
- Could I have a refund please?
- Can I speak to the manager please?
- I’d like to return this please.
- I’d like to make a complaint.
- I’d like to change this for a different size please.
- Do you have the original receipt?
- Did you buy it from one of our other stores?
- Can I ask why you’re returning it please?
- Can I ask why you’ve changed your mind please?
- It doesn’t work.
- It doesn’t fit.
- It was a gift, but I don’t like it.
- It was a gift, but the person I bought it for doesn’t like it.
THINGS WRITTEN ON SIGNS THAT YOU MIGHT SEE
- Open 24HRS (HOURS) a day
- Special offer
- Clearance sale
- Closing down sale
- Everything must go!
- Liquidation sale
- Great value products
- Good value
- BUY 1 GET 1 FREE
- Buy one get one half price
- Half price sale
- 70% OFF EVERYTHING
- Reduced to clear
- Out for lunch
- Back in 15 minutes
- Back at 2PM
- Shoplifters will be prosecuted
- CCTV in operation
USING A CREDIT CARD
- enter your pin
- please wait
- remove your card
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)
€3.20 = “Three twenty” (short way)
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MAKING COMPARISONSExample Conversation 1:
A: Which sofa should we buy? I can’t decide!
B: This one is larger, but it’s more expensive. I prefer the smaller one.
Example Conversation 2:
A: I need a new watch, but I don’t know which one to get. Can you give me any suggestions?
B: Rolex watches are better than Sekonda, but they’re not as affordable. Sekonda watches 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. The green 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 it’s more suitable for this season.
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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)
- I’d 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?
- Where can I try it / them on?
- Where are the changing rooms, please?
If you’d like the shop assistant to give you a DIFFERENT SIZE OR COLOUR, 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. I’ll take it!
- This one is perfect, I’ll take it thanks.
- I’ll have this one, please!
- Can I buy the …. , please?
- How much is it / are they?
- I’d like to buy this one, please.
- I’d like to buy it / them, please.
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EXAMPLE CONVERSATION BETWEEN A SHOP ASSISTANT (A), CUSTOMER (B), AND CASHIER (C)
A: Hi there, can I help you with anything?
B: Yes please, I’m looking for a T-shirt.
A: What size are you?
B: I’m 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: They’re both fantastic. I really like them.
A: Yes, the blue looks nice on you, it really brings out your eye colour.
B: Thank you. I’ll buy both of them!
A: Great! Please go to the tills, and pay over there.
B: Alright, thank you for your help.
C: Who’s next please!
B: Hi there, I’d 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, here’s 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!
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EXAMPLE CONVERSATION BETWEEN A CASHIER (A), AND CUSTOMER (B)
A: Are you next in the queue sir?
B: Yes, I’d 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 I’m not sure, it’s just a guess!
A: I can print a gift receipt so she doesn’t see the price, but can bring it back to change the size if she needs to. Would you like me to do that?
B: Yes please, that would be amazing!
A: Okay, that’ll be sixty-five dollars and ninety-five cents for the watch please.
B: Can I pay by cheque please?
A: No, I’m afraid we don’t accept cheques.
B: Okay no problem, I’ll 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, that’ll be perfect.
A: Here you go sir. Enjoy the rest of your day.
B: Thank you very much!
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USEFUL PHRASAL VERBS RELATED TO SHOPPING
PUT ON (to place something on a surface or person)
- Put your items on the counter please.
- Why don’t you put on that new jacket you bought yesterday?
- Can I try these dresses on somewhere please?
- I’d like to try out this lipstick colour please, do you have a tester for it?
- I’m looking for a simple, comfortable dress that I can just throw on.
- Drop in during your lunch break when you have more time, and I’ll help you find the right pair of shoes for you.
- The supermarket was so busy over the Christmas weekend. The customers started pouring in, as soon as the doors opened!
- I’ll book you an appointment, and you can pop in for a consultation with one of our opticians.
- We have brought in a brand new summer collection now, so the old winter range is on sale.
- The shop assistant was so convincing that this dress was the best one for me, that I caved in and bought it, even though it was so expensive!
- If you buy this laptop, I’ll chuck in a free laptop case for you.
- I couldn’t decide which one to buy, so I ended up buying both of them
- I need to buy a gift for my friend, his birthday is coming up.
- I’m thinking of taking up the violin, could you buy one for my next birthday please?
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- We have brought down the prices, because we’re having a huge sale before the winter!
- He bought a really expensive watch for me, but I turned it down. I couldn’t accept it!
- I’m just going to pop out to the cash machine, could you save these items for me please?
- I’m just popping out to buy some bread and milk from the local store.
- They gave me the option of getting everything on credit, but I opted out because I prefer buying things upfront, than being in debt.
- I’m not sure which laptop to buy. I think I’ll rule out this one, because it’s too expensive. Now I just have to decide between these two.
- Sorry, we don’t sell those anymore. We phased them out last year, because they weren’t very popular.
- I’m afraid all those watches have sold out now; they were very popular over Christmas!
- Could you help me out please? I can’t do the zip up on this dress!
- Could you do the zip up on this dress for me please?
- This sweater stands out from the rest. I love the vibrant colours!
- I was so disappointed with their service, that I just walked out on them, and I didn’t pay!
- I have finally paid off all the money I owed on my credit card! It’s such a relief!
- Wow, not many people can pull off that outfit, but you look stunning in it!
- I got an amazing deal on this computer, and to top it off, they gave me an extra three years free warranty!!
- They ripped you off! I bought that for half the price in a different store!
- I’ll have to give this ring back to Tom, because he broke off the engagement.
- I’m going to take this back to the store, and see if I can get a different colour.
- If you get our loyalty card now, you won’t have to pay the whole amount today, instead you can pay us back in installments each month.
- I do love this sofa, but I’ll need to talk it over with my wife before committing to buying it.