How much…? & Can I…?
Asking prices and making polite requests in shops, using Unit 23 words.
In shops we ask about prices with How much…? and make polite requests with Can I…? / Could I…?. Every example uses the shopping words from this unit.
A — How it works
How much is…? for one thing; How much are…? for more than one. Can I / Could I + verb for polite requests.
1) How much is / are…?
Ask about prices.
- How much is this bag?
- How much are these shoes?
- How much is it with the discount?
- How much are they in total?
2) Can I…? / Could I…? — polite requests
Ask permission or make a request.
- Can I pay by card?
- Could I have a receipt, please?
- Can I try it on?
- Could I get the change, please?
The rest of this lesson is in the General English course:
- B — Quick reference
- Remember
Try it: Choose the correct form
Select the best option.
- How much ___ these shoes?
(a) are (b) is (c) be - How much ___ this bag?
(a) is (b) are (c) do - ___ I pay by card?
(a) Can (b) Am (c) Do - Could I ___ a receipt, please?
(a) have (b) to have (c) having - Can I try it ___?
(a) on (b) in (c) to - Most polite:
(a) Could I have…? (b) Can I have…? (c) Give me…
Check your answers in the course — it marks them instantly. This is one of the unit's 3 exercises; the other 2 are in the General English course too.
Practise this unit in the course →