General English Level 1 V 3
UNIT 03 Spending money TOPIC 04 I need a new watch
LANGUAGE FOCUS 04 Shop talk

Can

The shop assistant and Geng say:
Shop assistant:
Hello, can I help you?
Geng:
Yes. I want to buy a watch.
Shop assistant:
What kind of watch do you want?
Geng:
I'm not sure. Can I have a look at some?
Shop assistant:
How do you want to pay?
Geng:
Can I use my credit card?
Shop assistant: Yes you can .

We use can to be polite. We also use could .

Examples

1 Read the examples.
2 Click on each example to listen.
3 Practise saying each example.

of course = sure = yes

Can questions are yes/ no questions.

Find out more about yes/no questions.

Can I
have a coffee? Yes I
you
he
she
we
they 		can .
you tell me the time?
he come for dinner?
she stay here? No I
you
he
she
we
they 		can't .
we go home now?
they come too?

I'm looking for...

The shop assistant and Geng say:
Shop assistant:
Good morning, sir, can I help you?
Geng:
Yes please! I'm looking for a jumper.
Shop assistant:
Hello, can I help you?
Geng:
Yes. I want to buy a watch.

When a shop assistant asks " Can I help you? " we say what we want.

Example

1 Read the examples.
2 Click on each example to listen.
3 Practise saying each example.

I'm just looking = I don't want to buy anything.

How much is it?

The shop assistant and Geng say:
Geng:
How much is it ?
Shop assistant:
Well, it's usually $215 but it's on sale for $150.

When we ask " How much is it ?" the shop assistant says the price (or cost).

Example

1 Read the examples.
2
Click on each example to listen.
3 Practise saying each example.

I'll take it.

The shop assistant and Geng say:
Geng:
... it's a nice watch. I'll take it .
Shop assistant:
Okay.

Geng wants to buy the watch. He says " I'll take it ." We also say " I'll buy it ."

Geng says:
I prefer the brown one. It's thicker too. I'll buy it .

Now go to 05 SPEAKING Shop talk.