English for Beginners: Talking About Prices
Dialogue
Alice: Bob, guess what I saw? This tiny, tiny cupcake for… ten dollars!
Bob: Ten dollars? Alice, that’s insane! Was it made of gold?
Alice: Almost! It was just a regular vanilla cupcake. I couldn’t believe it.
Bob: Wow. That’s way too much for a cupcake. I bought this new hat yesterday, and it was only five dollars.
Alice: Only five dollars? That’s a great deal, Bob! It looks good on you.
Bob: Thanks! I thought so too. How much was your coffee this morning?
Alice: Mine was three dollars. A bit expensive for just black coffee, but it was really good.
Bob: Three dollars isn’t too bad if it’s good coffee. But ten dollars for a cupcake… I’m still thinking about it!
Alice: I know, right? It makes my coffee feel cheap! What about that new game you wanted? How much is it?
Bob: Oh, ‘Galactic Sweeper’? It’s fifty dollars. A bit pricey, but I really want it.
Alice: Fifty dollars… that’s quite a lot. Are you sure it’s worth it?
Bob: I hope so! Maybe I’ll wait for a sale. How much is a movie ticket these days?
Alice: Around twelve dollars here. But popcorn is like, eight dollars!
Bob: Eight dollars for popcorn? That’s crazy! Maybe I should just bring my own snacks.
Alice: Good idea, Bob! We should start a ‘cheap snacks for movies’ club.
Current Situation
Talking about prices is a very common and essential part of daily life. Whether you’re shopping, planning a trip, or just chatting with friends about a new purchase, you’ll need to know how to ask about prices, state them, and give your opinion. It helps you make smart decisions about spending money and comparing different products or services.
Key Phrases
- How much is…? / How much are…? – Used to ask about the price of something.
- Example: How much is this book?
- Example: How much are these apples?
- It’s [price]. / They’re [price]. – Used to state the price.
- Example: It’s ten dollars.
- Example: They’re two dollars each.
- It costs [price]. / They cost [price]. – Another way to state the price, using the verb ‘cost’.
- Example: This phone costs five hundred dollars.
- Example: Those tickets cost fifty dollars.
- That’s too expensive! – When something costs more than you want to pay.
- Example: Ten dollars for a cupcake? That’s too expensive!
- That’s cheap! / That’s a good deal! – When something costs less than expected, or is a good value.
- Example: This hat is only five dollars. That’s a good deal!
- A bit pricey. – When something is a little expensive, but maybe acceptable.
- Example: The game is a bit pricey at fifty dollars.
- Not bad. – When the price is reasonable or acceptable.
- Example: Three dollars for coffee? Not bad.
- Is it worth it? – Asking if the value of something matches its price.
- Example: Fifty dollars for a game. Is it worth it?
- [Price] for [item/quantity]! – Expressing surprise or specific pricing.
- Example: Eight dollars for popcorn!
- Example: Two dollars for a pound of apples.
Grammar Points
- “How much is…?” vs. “How much are…?”
- Use “How much is…?” for singular items or uncountable nouns (like coffee, water, food in general).
- Example: How much is this shirt?
- Example: How much is the coffee?
- Use “How much are…?” for plural items.
- Example: How much are these shoes?
- Example: How much are the tickets?
- Use “How much is…?” for singular items or uncountable nouns (like coffee, water, food in general).
- Numbers and Currency
- We usually say the number first, then the currency.
- $5 is “five dollars”.
- $10 is “ten dollars”.
- $3.50 can be “three dollars and fifty cents” or more commonly, “three fifty”.
- £20 is “twenty pounds”.
- €15 is “fifteen euros”.
- Verbs for prices: ‘is/are’ and ‘costs/cost’
- You can use the verb “to be” (is/are) to state a price:
- Example: The book is ten dollars.
- Example: The shoes are fifty dollars.
- You can also use the verb “to cost”:
- Example: The book costs ten dollars. (For singular items)
- Example: The shoes cost fifty dollars. (For plural items)
- You can use the verb “to be” (is/are) to state a price:
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the blank with the correct word(s).
- “How ____ is this book?” “It’s ten dollars.”
- Those shoes ____ fifty dollars.
- Ten dollars for a tiny cupcake? That’s too ____!
- This sandwich is only three dollars. That’s a ____ ____!
- Are these apples ____ dollars a pound?
Exercise 2: Match the question with the best answer.
Questions:
- How much are these pens?
- Is this new game worth it?
- That movie ticket is a bit pricey, isn’t it?
- How much does a coffee cost here?
- Is five dollars a good deal for this hat?
Answers:
a. Yes, it’s only $5.
b. Yes, I paid $12 for it!
c. They’re two dollars each.
d. It’s usually about four dollars.
e. I hope so! It’s fifty dollars.
Exercise 3: Write a sentence about the price, using the words in parentheses.
- (camera / $200 / expensive)
- (shirt / $15 / good deal)
- (apples / $2 / pound)
Answers
Exercise 1: Fill in the blank with the correct word(s).
- How much is this book? “It’s ten dollars.”
- Those shoes cost fifty dollars. (or are)
- Ten dollars for a tiny cupcake? That’s too expensive!
- This sandwich is only three dollars. That’s a good deal!
- Are these apples two dollars a pound? (or how much)
Exercise 2: Match the question with the best answer.
- How much are these pens? -> c. They’re two dollars each.
- Is this new game worth it? -> e. I hope so! It’s fifty dollars.
- That movie ticket is a bit pricey, isn’t it? -> b. Yes, I paid $12 for it!
- How much does a coffee cost here? -> d. It’s usually about four dollars.
- Is five dollars a good deal for this hat? -> a. Yes, it’s only $5.
Exercise 3: Write a sentence about the price, using the words in parentheses.
- This camera is expensive. It costs $200. (or: This camera costs $200, it’s expensive.)
- This shirt is a good deal. It’s only $15. (or: This $15 shirt is a good deal.)
- Apples are $2 a pound. (or: Apples cost two dollars per pound.)
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