Intermediate · B1 / B2 · Everyday Life

At the Supermarket

Your goal: ask for items, deal with pricing and offers, and handle payment and self-checkout confidently.

1

Survival Phrases

Finding items

  • Excuse me, where would I find the tinned tomatoes?
  • Is there a gluten-free aisle?
  • Do you stock oat milk?

Pricing & offers

  • Is this on offer this week?
  • There's a 'two for three' — does that apply at the till?
  • This scanned at full price, but the shelf said reduced.

At the till / self-checkout

  • Do I need a bag? — I'll take one, thanks.
  • Could I pay part by card and part with cash?
  • It's asking for age verification — could someone come over?

Returns & problems

  • I'd like a refund — this is out of date.
  • Could I speak to a supervisor, please?
  • The app voucher isn't scanning.
2

Model Dialogue

Read the dialogue aloud twice — once for each speaker. Notice how B picks up A's words and adds something.

Marina: Excuse me — where would I find the tinned tomatoes?

Assistant: Aisle 4, on the left, bottom shelf.

Marina: Thanks. And is the 'two for three' offer still on?

Assistant: It is — ends Sunday. It applies at the till, no coupon needed.

Marina: Oh, this one scanned at full price, but the shelf said reduced.

Assistant: Let me check… yes, sorry about that. I'll override it to a pound.

Marina: No problem. Could I get a bag as well, please?

Assistant: Sure — five pence. Card or cash?

Marina: Card, thanks.

3

Register: formal vs informal

SituationMore formalMore informal / natural
Asking for an itemExcuse me, could you tell me where I'd find the tinned tomatoes?Where's the tinned stuff?
Raising a price errorThis scanned at full price, but the shelf said reduced.This is scanning wrong.
PayingCould I pay part by card and part with cash?Can I split the payment?
Asking for a refundI'd like a refund, please — this is out of date.Can I get my money back?
At B1/B2 the line between formal and informal is often tone and softeners (just, a bit, possibly), not different words. Soften requests when the stakes are higher.
4

Typical Mistakes (B1/B2 & Portuguese interference)

  • Where I can find tomatoes? → Where can I find the tomatoes? ((ordem: auxiliar antes do sujeito))
  • It is in promotion. → It's on offer / on promotion. ((in promotion → on offer))
  • Two for three pounds, no? → It's two for three pounds, isn't it? ((question tag))
  • I want a bag. → Could I have a bag, please? ((want soa rude))
  • This is passed the date. → This is out of date / past its sell-by. ((vencido = out of date))
  • Can I pay with card? → Can I pay by card? / Can I pay with my card? ((pay by card))
5

Culture Note

  • Self-checkout is everywhere — staff will help if the machine flags an item; don't be embarrassed to call them over.
  • 'Reduced' stickers (yellow) mean near sell-by date; the till should honour the shelf price.
  • Bringing your own bag is normal and sometimes charged — a small 'bag for life' is reusable and cheap.
  • Complaining about price errors is fine and common — staff override without fuss if you're polite.
6

Practical Task

  1. Rebuild the dialogue with a different product and a coupon that won't scan.
  2. Record both roles, keeping it light.
  3. Write two questions you'd ask in a UK/US supermarket.
  4. Real-life mission: read a real supermarket receipt in English and find three terms (subtotal, savings, balance).

Before you finish, can you…

  • ☐ask where an item is?
  • ☐flag a pricing error politely?
  • ☐handle payment and bags?
  • ☐ask for a refund or a supervisor?
Bring your dialogue — the teacher plays an assistant whose machine keeps beeping.