Title: Top Mistakes when Shopping in English
Duration: 5-7 minutes
Level: int +
Language Focus: Top Mistakes
Objective: Error Correction
When you go on vacation, or even a work trip, you’re bound to stop into a shop or two.
Check out these common mistakes below that you should try to avoid while shopping for everything from souvenirs to clothes, and even while window-shopping.
Vocabulary Notes
To be bound to do something: in this case, to be very likely to do something. Usually used to make a prediction about something you find very probable.
ie: Oh no! Look at those black clouds! It is bound to rain today.
Window-shopping: the act of looking at things in a shop without the intention of buying anything.
ie: –Do you want to go shopping this weekend? –Hmm, okay, but I am trying to save money, so I’ll just be window-shopping.
Common Mistakes
Where can I try these clothes?
Careful! When we want to see if clothes are too big or too small, we want to try clothes on, not try clothes. And the place where you can try clothes on? It’s called a fitting room, or a dressing room.
Can I have a copy of the ticket, please?
Oops! A ticket is what you need to go to a concert or what a police officer gives you if you are driving too fast. What you want is a copy of the receipt.
Pronunciation: Receipt sounds like /ri-sit/
Excuse me, are you making the line?
Close, but not quite! In the US, we say: “Are you in line?”
In Ireland or the UK, you might hear: “Are you in the queue?”
Pronunciation: /kyu/
What is your devolution policy?
False friend alert! The correct way to ask is: “What is your return policy?”
To use it in a sentence: “I would like to return this, please.”
Do you have these shoes in a number 37?
Careful! When talking about shoes, we use the word “size”, not “number”.
ie: Do you have these in a size 37?
Typical Shop Vocabulary
Check out the box below for some typical questions you may hear or want to ask:
| What you might hear from a salesperson or shop attendant… | What you might say to/ask a salesperson or shop attendant… |
|---|---|
| When you walk in… – Can I help you with anything? – How can I help you, miss/sir? |
– No, thanks. I’m just browsing/looking. – Yes, actually. I’m looking for… – Yes, thanks. Where are your… |
| While you’re in the store… – Can I help you find anything? – Would you like to try ____ on? |
– I’m fine, thanks. – Yes. Do you have this in a size ___ / in ____ (color)? – Yes, I would. Where are the fitting rooms? |
| While you’re trying something on… – How is everything? – Does ___ fit okay? – Can I get you anything in a different size? |
– Everything’s great, thanks. – This shirt is a bit tight (too small). Could I get it in a larger size? – The pants are kind of loose (too big). Do you have them in a smaller size? |
| When you’re paying… – Will that be cash or credit? |
– Can I pay with a credit card? – Credit card / cash, please. |
Happy shopping!
