Lesson 10: Shopping & Modals

Can, Could, Vocabulary & Manners
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Shopping Vocabulary

Click the ▶ button to hear the pronunciation.
Format: English | IPA | Bulgarian

Clothes (Дрехи)

  • T-shirt /ˈtiː.ʃɜːt/ Тениска
  • Jeans /dʒiːnz/ Дънки
  • Jacket /ˈdʒæk.ɪt/ Яке
  • Coat /kəʊt/ Палто
  • Hoodie /ˈhʊd.i/ Суитшърт
  • Dress /dres/ Рокля
  • Sneakers /ˈsniː.kəz/ Кецове
  • Scarf /skɑːf/ Шал

Actions & Describing

  • To buy /baɪ/ Купувам
  • To try on /traɪ ɒn/ Пробвам
  • To cost /kɒst/ Струвам
  • To pay /peɪ/ Плащам
  • To fit /fɪt/ Става ми (по размер)
  • Cheap /tʃiːp/ Евтин
  • Expensive /ɪkˈspen.sɪv/ Скъп
  • Size /saɪz/ Размер (S, M, L)
  • Sale /seɪl/ Разпродажба

Useful Phrases

  • How much is it?
  • Where is the fitting room?
  • I'm just looking.
  • Can I pay by card?
  • Certainly. (Yes)
  • Of course. (Yes)
  • Can I help you? (Offer)

2. Can (Present & Informal)

⚠️ The Golden Rules of "Can"

  1. No -s in Third Person: Never say "He cans".
    → He can swim.
  2. No "to" after Can: Never say "I can to go".
    → I can go.
  3. No "Do/Does" in Questions: Never say "Do you can?".
    → Can you help?
⛔ Negatives: Can't vs Cannot
1. Can't (Short)
Use for Speaking & Casual Writing.
"I can't find my size."
"I can't come today."
2. Cannot (Long)
Use for Formal Writing, Signs & Rules.
"You cannot enter."
"We cannot accept cash."
⚠️ Spelling Rule: Write it as ONE word.
✅ Cannot
❌ Can not

The 3 Main Functions of "Can"

Use "Can" with friends, family, or casual situations.

Function Explanation Example
1. Request
🙏		 Asking someone else to do something. Can you help me?
(Asking a friend)
2. Permission
🙋‍♂️		 Asking if I can do something. Can I try this on?
(Asking to test clothes)
3. Ability
💪		 Saying what I/someone can do. I can swim.
She can cook.
(Skill or possibility)
💡 Examples in Shopping:
  • Request: "Can you show me a jacket?" (Asking assistant)
  • Permission: "Can I pay by card?" (Asking if allowed)
  • Ability: "I can pay now." (I have the ability/money)

3. Could (Polite & Past)

"Could" is the polite version of "Can".
Use it in formal situations: shops, offices, strangers, bosses.

The 3 Main Functions of "Could"

Function Explanation Example
1. Polite Request
🙏 ✨		 Asking someone else to do something (Formal). Could you check the price?
Could you bring a size M?
Don't say: "Give me M." (Rude)
2. Polite Permission
🙋‍♂️ ✨		 Asking if I can do something (Formal). Could I use the fitting room?
Could I speak to the manager?
(Very polite)
3. Past Ability
⏪		 Talking about history/childhood.
(Not for shopping)		 When I was 5, I could run fast.
Last year, I couldn't speak English.
⚠️ Student Tip:
For Offers (when you want to help someone), we use "Can I...?" instead of "Could I...?", even in shops.
Example: Shop assistant says: "Can I help you?" (This is standard and polite)

The Shopping Trip

Instructions: Fill in the dialogue bubbles with the correct phrases.
Desktop: Drag the phrases to the bubbles.
Mobile: Tap a phrase, then tap the bubble.
Tip: Pay attention to who is speaking - Jake (left) or the other person (right).
Jake
?
Jake says...
?
Assistant says...
Other
Jake
?
Jake says...
?
Assistant says...
Other

Grammar & Vocabulary Exercises

Complete all 15 questions to get your Receipt.

Mini Games (10 Levels Each)

Jake is trying on clothes. Give him advice (Imperatives).
Jake
...
Level: 1/10