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How to talk about prices in English

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How to talk about prices in English
Today's world is so built that practically everything in it has a price. We have accepted to measure the value of things in money and the only difference is the type of currency that uses the country concerned. The economies of all countries report profits or losses, and each family strictly monitors their budget. In practice, each of us spends quite a lot of our time talking, asking, answering, reading or thinking about prices, whether it is goods of first need, regular payments such as rent, bills, insurance or considering loan or investment. How, though, can we do all this in English? 

How to ask about the price in English

It doesn't matter if you want to buy bread, shoes or a car. The first thing you'd probably want to ask is, how much is it? How much practically means - how much. You can use it on your own by indicating a particular item. They'll understand you for sure, but they'll know you don't speak the language or they'll just think you're a bully. Here's how to avoid this, it is easy:
    1. When you ask for an item: How much is it/that? How much is this phone? How much does it cost?
    2. When you ask for more than one subject: How much are they/those? How much are these phones? How much do they cost?
    3. How to make the question more polite: Just add to the beginning: Could you tell me ... And you can also use the phrase "Could you tell me the price"?
    4. If you ask about the price of a combined service:
    If you need several services that one and the same company can do for you and you want to ask how much this would cost you, you can use the following expression: What will it cost for three additional lines?

Rrice or cost

Both mean price, but as we have seen above are used in different terms when we ask how much something is worth. Note the fact that both words besides nouns can also be verbs in English. Most often, as a noun is used price /Culd you tell me the price/. Cost is more often in the role of verb in the most commonly used expressions /How much do they cost?/. However, unlike a price, cost as a noun can also mean costs. And most often used exactly in this matter, for example: If we can reduce costs we can create profit.

Description of price difference

When shopping, especially with larger and expensive purchases, often the price may be different from what you can afford. Here are some useful phrases to express your opinion about the price and ask for change or simply express an opinion:
  1. It is too expensive. / I`m sorry, but that is too expensive.
  2. The price is high. / That seems really high compared to other companies.
  3. I can/can't afford that./ I don't think we can afford that.
  4. It's in my price range. / I'm afraid that is out of our price range. 

Commonly Used Terms

Here are some more useful expressions that you can find in different situations and also use when you want to comment on the subject with prices:
  • That's a little outside my budget.
  • I got two for the price of one. - I got two for the price of one.
  • It’s a good price. - That's a good price.
  • A good value for the amount of money. - Good value for that price.
  • That’s so cheap./ It was quite cheap. - That's so cheap.
  • I’m happy with the price. - I'll take the price.
  • It cost a fortune. - That's worth a fortune.
  • That’s a bit pricey. - It's a little expensive.
  • It was a real bargain. - That was a good deal.
If you want to learn more about the different expressions related to evaluation of items and services or to master terminology in business transactions with stocks, insurance and banking operations, you can sign up Business English course at the Language School.  
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