Shopping

★★★★★ Better Conversation Skills

Shopping & Assistance

In this lesson, you'll learn practical English for shopping confidently. You'll discover how to ask for help, find products, discuss prices, request sizes and colors, make payments, and handle common supermarket and retail conversations naturally and politely in English.

🎯 Level: Beginner, Intermediate ⏱ Time: 20–35 minutes 📘 Categories: Speaking, Real English

🎯 What you'll learn

1
How to ask for help in a store, get a shop assistant’s attention politely, explain what you are looking for, and ask where products are located
2
Useful expressions for asking about prices, discounts, sales, taxes, bargains, and comparing the cost of different products
3
How to request a specific size or color, ask to try on clothing, understand common shop assistant responses, and discuss fit confidently
4
Essential language for paying with cash, card, contactless payments, handling receipts, asking payment questions, and solving common payment problems
5
Practical phrases for requesting bags, choosing between plastic, paper, or reusable bags, asking for extra bags, and responding to cashier questions
6
Real-world supermarket checkout conversations including loyalty cards, payment methods, handling checkout issues, packing purchases, and completing transactions smoothly

🧠 Practice Exercises

Think of your answer first, then click to reveal!

You need help finding a product in a store. What is a polite way to ask a shop assistant for help?
▼ Reveal
✅ Answer:
✅ Politely get the assistant’s attention.

Correct sentence: “Excuse me, could you help me, please?”

You don't know the exact word for an item you need. How can you explain it?
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✅ Answer:
✅ Describe what the item is used for.

Example sentence: “It’s something you use to charge your phone.”

You want to know where a product is located in a large store. What can you ask?
▼ Reveal
✅ Answer:
✅ Ask where you can find the item.

Example question: “Where can I find the notebooks?”

You want to know the cost of an item. What is the most common question to ask?
▼ Reveal
✅ Answer:
✅ Ask directly about the price.

Correct question: “How much is this?”

You want to know if a product is being sold at a reduced price. What should you ask?
▼ Reveal
✅ Answer:
✅ Ask if the item is discounted.

Example question: “Is this on sale?”

You found a shirt you like, but not in your size. What can you ask?
▼ Reveal
✅ Answer:
✅ Ask for the size you need.

Correct question: “Do you have this in a size 10?”

You like a piece of clothing but want it in another color. What should you ask?
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✅ Answer:
✅ Ask if another color is available.

Correct question: “Do you have this shirt in black?”

You are ready to pay and want to use your credit or debit card. What can you say?
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✅ Answer:
✅ Tell the cashier your payment method.

Example sentence: “Card, please.”

After paying, you need something to carry your purchases. What should you ask?
▼ Reveal
✅ Answer:
✅ Politely request a bag.

Correct sentence: “Can I have a bag, please?”

At the supermarket checkout, the cashier asks if you have a loyalty card. How can you respond if you don't have one?
▼ Reveal
✅ Answer:
✅ Answer simply and directly.

Correct sentence: “No, I don’t.” or, if you have a loyalty card: "Yes, I do."

💳 Key Phrases

Asking for Help in a Store

When you need assistance, start by getting a shop assistant's attention politely.

Useful phrases:

  • "Excuse me, could you help me, please?"
  • "Sorry, I'm looking for something."
  • "Hi, can I ask you a question?"
  • "Where can I find the notebooks?"
  • "Which aisle has the pasta?"

Example:

You: "Excuse me, could you help me, please?"
Assistant: "Of course. What are you looking for?"

Being polite and specific helps you get assistance quickly and confidently.

Asking About Prices

Before buying something, you often need to check the price or ask about discounts.

Useful phrases:

  • "How much is this?"
  • "How much are these?"
  • "Is this on sale?"
  • "Is there a discount on this?"
  • "Do you have anything cheaper?"

Understanding prices, discounts, and promotions helps you make better shopping decisions.

Asking for a Specific Size or Color

When shopping for clothing, you may need a different size or color than the one on display.

Useful phrases:

  • "Do you have this in a size 10?"
  • "I need a medium, please."
  • "Can I try a smaller size?"
  • "Do you have this shirt in black?"
  • "Can I see this jacket in a medium, in navy?"

Example:

You: "Do you have this skirt in a size 6, in yellow?"
Assistant: "We have it in yellow, but only in a size 8."

Learning these phrases makes clothes shopping much easier and more successful.

Paying and Checking Out

At the checkout, you'll need to choose a payment method and possibly ask for a bag.

Useful phrases:

  • "Card, please."
  • "I'll pay with cash."
  • "Do you take contactless?"
  • "Can I have a bag, please?"
  • "Can I split the payment?"

Cashiers may also ask questions such as "Do you have a loyalty card?" or "Do you need a bag?" Understanding these common interactions helps you complete purchases smoothly and confidently.

 

Situation Useful Phrase Example
Getting a Shop Assistant's Attention 🙋 Excuse me, could you help me, please? "Excuse me, could you help me, please? I'm looking for a phone charger."
Explaining What You Need 🎁 I'm looking for... "I'm looking for a birthday gift for my sister."
Describing an Item You Can't Name 💡 It's something you use to... "It's something you use to charge your phone."
Finding Products in a Store 🛒 Where can I find...? "Where can I find the milk"
Locating a Store Section 📍 Is there a section for...? "Is there a section for children's clothes?"
Asking About Prices 💲 How much is this? "How much is this jacket?"
Checking for Discounts 🏷️ Is there a discount on this? "Is there a discount on this laptop?"
Checking if an Item is on Sale 🔖 Is this on sale? "Is this on sale, or is this the regular price?"
Comparing Prices ⚖️ What's the difference in price? "What's the difference in price between these two blouses?"
Requesting a Specific Size 📏 Do you have this in a size...? "Do you have this in a size 10?"
Requesting a Different Color 🎨 Do you have this in...? "Do you have this shirt in red?"
Trying on Clothes 👕 Can I try...? "Can I try the smaller size?"
Finding the Fitting Rooms 🚪 Where are the dressing rooms? "Where are the dressing rooms, please?"
Checking Stock Availability 📦 Will you get more soon? "This size is sold out. Will you get more soon?"
Asking for Alternatives 🔄 Is there something similar? "You don't have this model. Is there something similar?"
Requesting a Recommendation ⭐ What do you recommend? "I'm not sure about this one. What do you recommend?"
Paying by Card 💳 I'll pay by card. Cashier: "Cash or card?" You: "I'll pay by card."
Paying with Cash 💵 I'll pay with cash. "I only have cash, so I'll pay with cash."
Using Contactless Payment 📲 Do you take contactless? "Do you take contactless, or do I need to insert my card?"
Splitting a Payment 💰 Can I split the payment? "Can I split the payment between two cards?"
Handling a Card Problem ⚠️ The machine isn't reading my card. "The machine isn't reading my card. Can I try again?"
Requesting a Bag 🛍️ Can I have a bag, please? "These items are heavy. Can I have a bag, please?"
Choosing a Bag Type 📦 Plastic or paper? Cashier: "Plastic or paper?" You: "Paper is fine."
Requesting Extra Bags 🛍️🛍️ Could I have two bags, please? "The bottles are heavy. Could I have two bags, please?"
Using a Loyalty Card ⭐ Do you have a loyalty card? Cashier: "Do you have a loyalty card?" You: "Yes, here it is."
Questioning a Price 🔍 I think there's a mistake. "I think there's a mistake—the sign said 35 dollars."
Ending the Interaction 😊 Thanks so much for your help! "Thanks so much for your help! Have a great day."

💬 Speaking

 

How to use
▼ Reveal

1. Click the button "Practice Speaking." A new window opens.(Allow pop-up windows.)
2. Enter your name and email.
3. Give permission for your microphone.
4. Read and listen to the activity.
5. Speak and answer when it is your turn.
6. When you finish speaking, you do not need to do anything else.
7. After you finish speaking, you'll receive an evaluation and a copy of the transcript.


Practice Speaking

🎓✨ Check your Understanding

You enter a store and need help finding a phone charger. What is a polite way to get a shop assistant's attention?
▼ Reveal

✅ Answer:

A polite way to ask for help is:

"Excuse me, could you help me, please?"

This is one of the most common ways to start a conversation with a shop assistant.

TRUE or FALSE: If you don't know the name of an item, you should stop asking for it.
▼ Reveal

✅ Answer:

FALSE.

You can describe the item instead. For example: "It's something you use to charge your phone."

You want to know where the notebooks are located in a store. What could you ask?
▼ Reveal

✅ Answer:

A useful question is:

"Where can I find the notebooks?"

This helps you locate products quickly in larger stores.

TRUE or FALSE: "How much is this?" is a useful question when asking about the price of an item.
▼ Reveal

✅ Answer:

TRUE.

It is the most common and natural way to ask for the price of a single item.

You think a product may have a reduced price. What could you ask?
▼ Reveal

✅ Answer:

You can ask:

"Is this on sale?"

or

"Is there a discount on this?"

Both questions help you find out if the item costs less than usual.

You find a shirt you like, but you need a different size. What should you ask?
▼ Reveal

✅ Answer:

A useful question is:

"Do you have this in a size 10?"

You can replace the size number with the size you need.

TRUE or FALSE: If a store doesn't have the item you want, you cannot ask for alternatives.
▼ Reveal

✅ Answer:

FALSE.

You can ask:

"Is there something similar?"

or

"What would you suggest instead?"

The cashier asks, "Cash or card?" What could you say if you want to pay with your debit card?
▼ Reveal

✅ Answer:

You could say:

"Card, please."

or

"I'll pay by card."

You have finished paying and need something to carry your purchases. What should you ask?
▼ Reveal

✅ Answer:

A polite request is:

"Can I have a bag, please?"

This is commonly used at supermarkets and retail stores.

TRUE or FALSE: It is a good idea to check your receipt before leaving the checkout area.
▼ Reveal

✅ Answer:

TRUE.

Checking your receipt immediately makes it easier to correct pricing or payment mistakes before leaving the store.

📝 Summary & Free Download

1
When shopping, politely get a shop assistant's attention using phrases such as "Excuse me, could you help me, please?" or "Can I ask you a question?".
2
Explain what you need clearly by using expressions such as "I'm looking for..." followed by the item you want to buy.
3
If you don't know the name of a product, describe its purpose using phrases such as "It's something you use to...".
4
Ask for directions inside a store with questions like "Where can I find...?" and "Which aisle has...?".
5
When discussing prices, use common questions such as "How much is this?", "Is this on sale?", and "Is there a discount on this?".
6
When shopping for clothing, ask for specific sizes and colors using phrases such as "Do you have this in a size 10?" and "Do you have this in black?".
7
Use fitting rooms to check clothing before buying and ask "Can I try this on?" or "Where are the fitting rooms?".
8
If an item is unavailable, ask helpful follow-up questions such as "Will you get more soon?", "Do you have this in another store?", or "Is there something similar?".
9
When paying, be prepared to use cash, card, or contactless payments and understand common checkout phrases such as "Insert your card, please." and "Enter your PIN.".
10
If there is a payment problem, stay calm and use phrases such as "The machine isn't reading my card." or "Can I try again?".
11
After paying, ask for a bag if necessary by saying "Can I have a bag, please?" and understand common questions about bag types and sizes.
12
At supermarket checkouts, be ready to answer questions about loyalty cards, payment methods, and whether you need a bag.
13
Always check your receipt, collect your change, card, and purchases, and politely address any pricing mistakes before leaving the store.
14
Successful shopping conversations depend on asking questions, understanding common store vocabulary, and communicating politely and confidently throughout the interaction.
15
Download the PDF version of this lesson to review the vocabulary, and examples whenever you need them.

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