DIALOGUE : Shopping

 

SALESPERSON: Can I help you? 

JOHN: Yes, I’m looking for a sweater — in a size medium. 

SALESPERSON: Let’s see … here’s a nice white one. What do you think? 

JOHN: I think I’d rather have it in blue. 

SALESPERSON: OK … here’s blue, in a medium. Would you like to try it on? 

JOHN: OK … yes, I love it. It fits perfectly. How much is it? 

SALESPERSON: It’s $50. It will be $53, with tax. 

JOHN: Perfect! I’ll take it.




LANGUAGE NOTES 


  • Can I help you? or “May I help you?” is what a salesperson normally says to greet a customer.
  • I’m looking for a here means “I don’t know exactly which one I want.”
  • Size medium. Clothing usually comes in small, medium and large sizes. Some women’s clothing comes in number sizes, usually ranging from 2 to 16. 
  • Let’s see … An expression used when a person wants to think something over, to make a choice or decision, or to look for something.
  • I’d rather have it in here means “I don’t like this exact one. I would prefer it in a different” color/size/material, etc.
  • Would you like to …? is a polite way to ask “Do you want to …?”
  • Try it on means to test the fit or appearance of a garment by putting it on. “Try on” is a separable phrasal verb, so the object “it” goes between “try” and “on.”
  • How much is it? means “How much does it cost?” Notice that the main sentence stress falls on “is” in this question.
  • I’ll take it means “I will buy it.”

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