Shopping and Prices

Hook

In a shop you need to ask the price, understand the answer, ask about sizes and decide: “I’ll take it” or “It’s too expensive.” Numbers and money words come together here.

Notice

  • How much is this T-shirt? — It’s fifteen dollars.
  • How much are these shoes? — They’re forty dollars.
  • Do you have this in a different size / in blue?
  • Can I try it on?
  • I’ll take it. / I’ll take these.
  • That’s too expensive. Do you have anything cheaper?
  • Do you accept cards? — Yes, we do. / Cash only, sorry.

When do we use it and when do we use them / they?

Rule

  • How much is + singular (this bag) → It’s… · How much are + plural (these socks) → They’re…
  • Prices: $15 = fifteen dollars · $1.50 = one dollar fifty / a dollar fifty · £3.99 = three pounds ninety-nine · €20 = twenty euros.
  • Clothes shopping: size (small, medium, large) · Can I try it/them on? · It’s too big / small. · It fits.
  • Deciding: I’ll take it / them. · I’m just looking, thanks. · That’s too expensive.
  • Paying: Can I pay by card / in cash? · Here’s your change. · Can I have a receipt?

Watch Out

  • ✗ How much is these jeans? → ✓ How much are these jeans? (jeans is plural)
  • ✗ It costs fifteen dollar. → ✓ It costs fifteen dollars.
  • ✗ I take it. → ✓ I’ll take it.
  • ✗ It’s very expensive for buy. → ✓ It’s too expensive.

Practice

  1. Choose is/are: How much ___ this hat?
  2. Choose is/are: How much ___ these jeans?
  3. Say this price in words: $12
  4. Say this price in words: $3.50
  5. What do you say to buy something?
  6. What do you say if a price is too high?
  7. Ask to pay by card.
  8. A shop assistant asks “Can I help you?” You don’t need help. Answer.
Show the answers
  1. is
  2. are
  3. twelve dollars
  4. three dollars fifty
  5. I’ll take it.
  6. That’s too expensive.
  7. Can I pay by card? / Do you accept cards?
  8. I’m just looking, thanks.

Your Turn

Write a shop dialogue of 8 lines: you ask the price of two things, ask about a size or colour, try something on and decide to buy one thing. Include how you pay.

Connect

Practise hearing and typing prices and numbers in our Spelling Quiz.

Try our Spelling Quiz →

Our Vocabulary lessons cover more shopping and money words.

Open the Vocabulary lessons →

CEFR A1 — Spoken Interaction / Reading: I can ask about and understand simple prices when shopping.

Azizul Hakim
Latest posts by Azizul Hakim (see all)

Printable worksheet (PDF) Pro

PreviousNext