When you need this
You land in Seattle and the national park is three hours away, or you're in Austin and the bus doesn't go where you need. You walk up to a rental counter, or call one, and the first question is always the same: what do you have, and is it free on my dates?
Rental companies sort cars by size, from smallest to biggest: economy, compact, midsize, full-size, then SUVs and minivans. The other big question is the gearbox. Most cars in the US are automatic, but in many other countries a manual is the cheap default. If you can't drive a manual, which Americans call a "stick shift," say so first.
Phrases
the first question at the counter or on the phone
points to the days you need the car
the smallest and cheapest size
small and medium; the most common choices
a big, high car, good for families and bad roads
a tall car with room for seven or eight people
a car that changes gears by itself
a car where you change gears with your hand and foot
asks for a larger car
get the car at the airport counter
you return the car in a different city
rental companies promise a size, not a model
Say it out loud
Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.
Practice · 3 min
Say the line that fits. Situation on the left, one natural line on the right.
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Say it today
Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.