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Perfect Phrases for ESL Everyday Situations

CHAPTER   image
The Supermarket
In the United States, most people buy food and other household items in a supermarket. Also, some city neighborhoods have mini markets and ethnic markets. Many convenience stores—for example, Wawa, 7-Eleven, and Quick Chek—offer food items. These are for convenience and may cost more money. They are for last-minute purchases or emergencies.
You may hear people refer to a supermarket as the market, the grocery store, or the food market. When people are going to buy food, they may say they are going food shopping, to buy groceries, or to the market. In the United States, supermarkets are self-service with special areas within them that offer meats, fish and shellfish, deli items, and bakery items. In these areas, employees may serve you by describing items and ingredients, slicing, weighing, wrapping, packaging, and providing special food requests you may have. They may also offer free tastings of new food products. Listen to the speaker system for specials, tastings, and other store announcements.
Phrases You May Hear at the Supermarket
image    May I help you?
image    May I help you find something?
image    Today’s specials are___________(two products for the price of one, buy one get one free, $1.99 today only).
image    Watch your step. There’s a spill in this aisle.
image    Aisle 4 is closed briefly while we clear up a breakage.
image    You can find that in aisle 4.
image    You’ll find coffee in aisle 10.
image    Would you like to try this new sauce?
image    No, we do not sell liquor in supermarkets in this state.
image    I’m sorry. I don’t work here. I’m just stocking the shelves with my company’s product.
Phrases You May Hear at Checkout
image    Will that be cash or charge?
image    Debit or credit card?
image    Paper or plastic?
image    Do you want to donate___________($1, $2, $3) to ___________(the local food bank, the American Heart Association, the ASPCA, MADD)?
image    Do you have any coupons?
image    Do you have a store card?
image    We deduct 5 cents from your total for every recyclable bag you bring and use.
image    Here’s your receipt.
image    Save your receipts. Once you’ve spent___________($100, $200), you may have a free turkey for the holiday.
image    Once you’ve spent___________($50, $100, $200), you’ll earn a___________($10 gift card, discount on your next purchase).
image    May I bring your bags to your car? No, there is no charge. (Note: Tips may be welcome.)
image    Thank you.
image    Have a nice day.
image    Do you have a receipt? If you want to return this, we need a receipt.
Phrases to Use at the Supermarket
image    Where can I find a shopping cart?
image    Are there any more carts with child seats?
image    There aren’t any more shopping carts___________(outside, in the parking lot, in here).
image    Where is the___________(food court, salad bar, deli department)?
image    Can you direct me to the___________(dairy, meat, produce, bakery, laundry detergents, coffee, deli, frozen foods) section?
image    I don’t see any___________(extra-lean beef, skinless chicken breasts, dark-meat chicken, meat for roasting) in the meat case.
image    Could you please trim the fat off of this cut of meat?
image    Do you carry wild salmon or only farmed salmon?
image    I’m looking for___________(whole wheat pasta, cereal, chips, frozen dinners, salsa). Can you help me?
image    Do you have an organic produce section?
image    Do you have___________(dairy-free, gluten-free, wheat-free) ___________(bread, crackers, pasta, desserts)?
image    Where are the fresh flowers?
image    Excuse me. I can’t seem to find___________(cut fruit, packaged salad, low-fat popcorn).
Phrases to Use at the Supermarket: Problems
image    All of the___________(milk, cheese, yogurt, salad) of this brand expires tomorrow. Don’t you have anything with a later expiration date?
image    You advertised that this product is on sale, but I cannot find it.
image    Are you sold out of this week’s special?
image    If it’s out of stock, do you substitute another?
image    Last month I bought soy chocolate pudding. I cannot find it today. Did you stop carrying it?
image    Where can I return this item? The can is dented.
image    This package was already opened.
image    When I opened the package, the___________(cheese, yogurt, milk) was spoiled. I’d like a refund or a fresh product, please.
image    Excuse me. The box of___________(tissues, cereal, pasta) that I want is too high. Could you please get it down for me?
Phrases to Use at the Supermarket: Other Services
image    Where is the manager’s office?
image    Where is the courtesy counter?
image    Do you sell stamps?
image    How do I get a store card?
image    Is there a___________(bank, ATM, eating area, food court) in this store?
image    Where is your pharmacy?
image    I’d like to pick up this prescription when I’m through shopping in about 30 minutes. Is that OK?
image    Where are the___________(restrooms, bathrooms)? (Don’t say “toilets.”)
image    Where is the ladies’ room?
image    Do you have a recycling center?
image    I heard that this market offers cooking classes. Where can I learn more?
image    Do you carry___________(vitamins, beach toys, beach chairs, gloves)?
image    Can you direct me to___________(socks, pantyhose, headbands, cotton balls)?
Phrases to Use at the Supermarket: Checking Out
image    Do you accept coupons?
image    Do you accept___________(this discount card, personal checks, traveler’s checks)?
image    I forgot my store card. I’ll give you my phone number.
image    ___________(Paper, Plastic), please.
image    I have my own bags.
image    Please don’t make the bags too heavy; I have to carry them upstairs.
image    Excuse me. May I get___________(through, past you, in front of you), please? I only want to add this one item to my wife’s order; she is in front of you.
image    You only have a few items; you may go ahead of me in line.
image    The express lane is closed. Do you mind if I go before you with just this one item?
image    Thank you.
Idioms and Other Vocabulary
ASPCA: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Carrying: keeping in stock in the store
Coupons: special offers found in newspapers or given out by the stores
Courtesy counter: counter where customers go for service
Deli (informal for delicatessen): place in a supermarket where prepared foods and salads, cheese, cooked meats, and other items are sold by weight
Dented: bent in
Ethnic: relating to a certain race or nation
Expiration: time after which food is no longer fresh
Extra-lean: having most or all of the fat cut off
Farmed salmon (also farm-raised salmon): salmon that swam in contained pools
Food court: booths with different foods sold near tables and chairs at which to eat
Household items: items used within the home such as paper products and cleaning supplies
MADD: Mothers Against Drunk Driving
OK: acceptable
Organic produce: fruits and vegetables grown without the use of pesticides, grown naturally
Out of stock: not in the store
Paper or plastic?: Do you want a plastic bag or paper sack for your groceries?
Pharmacy (also drugstore): place to buy prescription drugs
Salad bar: place where you may make your own salad with cut vegetables and other items
Speaker system: electronic announcement system
Specials: good deals
Spoiled: ruined, not good to eat
Stocking: putting on the shelves
Substitute: put in place of
Supermarket: large store that sells food and many other products
Through: finished (The term also has other meanings, such as going from one end to another.)
Tips: gratuities, money given in appreciation of service
Tissues: paper products often referred to by one brand name, Kleenex
Trim: cut off, get rid of
Wild salmon: salmon that swam freely in the ocean