English - Prices and Quantity

How much is ___?

ask the price of an item

Meaning: Ask the price of an item.

When to use: Use this when you point to or name one thing and want the price. Examples: “How much is this bag?” “How much is the coffee?”

Tip: Use “How much is...” for price, not “How many is...”.

It's ___.

state a price

Meaning: State a price.

When to use: Use this to answer a price question. Examples: “It’s five dollars.” “It’s two euros.”

How much is the total?

ask for the total price

Meaning: Ask for the total price.

When to use: Use this at checkout when you want the final amount to pay. Examples: “How much is the total?” “I have two coffees and a sandwich. How much is the total?”

How many?

ask about quantity

Meaning: Ask about quantity.

When to use: Use this for countable things when the item is clear. Examples: “Apples? How many?” “Tickets? How many?”

Tip: Use “How many?” for things you can count: apples, tickets, bottles.

How much?

ask about amount

Meaning: Ask about amount or price.

When to use: Use this short question when the context is clear. Examples: “This one—how much?” “The total—how much?”

Tip: Use “How much?” for price or amount, not for the number of countable items.

___, please.

request a specific quantity

Meaning: Request a specific quantity politely.

When to use: Use this with a number or amount before “please.” Examples: “Two coffees, please.” “One ticket, please.”

Just ___, please.

request only a limited quantity

Meaning: Request only a limited quantity politely.

When to use: Use this when you want a smaller amount or want to correct the quantity. Examples: “Just one, please.” “Just a small one, please.”

That's too expensive.

say a price is too high

Meaning: Say a price is too high.

When to use: Use this when something costs more than you want to pay. Examples: “That’s too expensive.” “Sorry, that’s too expensive.”

Do you have a cheaper one?

ask for a lower-priced option

Meaning: Ask for a lower-priced option.

When to use: Use this when you like something, but the price is high. Examples: “Do you have a cheaper one?” “This is nice. Do you have a cheaper one?”

I don't have enough money.

say available money is not enough

Meaning: Say your money is not enough.

When to use: Use this when you cannot pay the price. Examples: “I don’t have enough money.” “Sorry, I don’t have enough money.”

Cash or card?

Ask or offer a payment choice

Meaning: Ask or offer a payment choice.

When to use: Use this at checkout to ask if someone will pay with money or a bank card. Examples: “Cash or card?” “Your total is ten dollars. Cash or card?”

Is that each?

Ask if the stated price is for one item

Meaning: Ask if the price is for one item.

When to use: Use this when you hear a price and want to know if it means one item. Examples: “Five dollars? Is that each?” “The apples are two dollars. Is that each?”

___ each.

State a unit price

Meaning: State a unit price.

When to use: Use this to say the price for one item. Examples: “Two dollars each.” “They’re three euros each.”