“I'm looking for a present for my sister, something under fifty dollars.”
B1 · Intermediate9 minPhrases
When you need this
A birthday is coming up, or a coworker is leaving, or you've been invited to a housewarming in Sydney and don't want to arrive empty-handed. Buying a present means talking to salespeople and to friends: who it's for, what they're into, and the price you have in mind.
Salespeople in the United States will usually ask two questions: "Who's it for?" and "What's your budget?" Have an answer ready for both and you'll get good ideas fast. Two more things are worth asking at the register: whether they can gift-wrap it, and whether you can get a gift receipt, which lets the person exchange the present without seeing the price.
Phrases
telling a salesperson who the gift is for
the salesperson's first question
the most you plan to pay
setting a price limit politely
what does she like or do for fun
it's hard to find something new for him
a present that shows you know the person
asking the store to wrap the present
a receipt without the price, for exchanges
a card with money on it for a store
worried a present is too expensive or too big
the kindness matters more than the price
Say it out loud
Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.
Practice · 3 min
Say it while you shop for a present.
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Say it today
Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.