A0 · Punto Cero Capítulo 6

Survival & Socializing

6 Reglas totales
71 ejemplos
5 min
Reglas en este capítulo Práctica rápida

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the essential phrases you need to navigate the world and communicate with confidence in English.

  • Ask for prices and locations easily.
  • Order food and items politely.
  • Handle basic social interactions and emergencies.
Speak with confidence, navigate with ease.

Lo que aprenderás

Ready to start speaking English right away? This chapter gives you essential phrases to ask Where is...? or order with "I'd like...". You'll feel more confident getting around and getting what you need!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Use 'How much is...?' to ask for the price of an item.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: Order items at a store using 'I'd like...'.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to: Ask for directions using 'Where is...?'.

Guía del capítulo

Overview

Starting your English journey is exciting, and we're here to make sure you can use it right away! Imagine stepping into a new place and needing to ask for help, buy something, or just say thank you. This chapter is your superpower for those everyday moments.
We're focusing on English survival & socializing for beginners, giving you the most important phrases to navigate new situations with confidence. You'll learn how to ask How much? for that tasty snack, use "I'd like...
to order your coffee, and find your way with
Where is...?
Plus, you’ll master the magic words
Excuse me,« »Sorry, and Thank you" to connect politely.
This isn't about perfect grammar; it's about getting things done and feeling understood. We know that as you learn English A0 grammar, your first goal is practical communication. Whether you need to ask for permission with «Can I...?» or need urgent help, these phrases are your foundation.
They're simple, powerful, and will make your first interactions in English smooth and successful. Let’s get you speaking from day one!

How This Grammar Works

At its heart, this chapter gives you direct, usable tools for common situations. We focus on simple questions and polite requests. For example, when you want to know the price of something, you'll use How much is...? for one item (like How much is *the apple*?) or How much are...? for many items (like How much are *the apples*?).
The key is matching is or are to what you're asking about.
When you want to order something in a café or shop, or make any polite request, you’ll use I'd like.... It's short for I would like and sounds much more polite than just I want. So, you’d say I'd like *a coffee, please*. It’s friendly and respectful.
For finding your way, the phrase Where is...? is super simple and effective. You just add the place or thing you're looking for: Where is *the station*? or Where is *my phone*?
Politeness is crucial, and English has specific words for that. You say Excuse me to get someone’s attention or before you pass by them. If you accidentally bump into someone or make a small mistake, you say Sorry.
And for everything good, a simple Thank you shows appreciation. Finally, for permission, Can I...? is your go-to phrase (like Can I *sit here*?). If you're in danger or need urgent help, shout Help!.
For less urgent assistance, say Can you help me?. These phrases are your basic toolkit for navigating the English-speaking world.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1Mixing up 'is' and 'are' with 'How much'.
✗ How much are the apple?
✓ How much is the apple?
*Explanation*: is is for one item (singular), are is for multiple items (plural).
  1. 1Using 'I want' instead of 'I'd like'.
✗ I want coffee.
✓ I'd like coffee, please.
*Explanation*: I want can sound a bit demanding. "I'd like" is much more polite and common for ordering or requesting.
  1. 1Confusing 'Excuse me' and 'Sorry'.
✗ (Bumps into someone) Excuse me.
✓ (Bumps into someone) Sorry.
*Explanation*: Use Excuse me *before* you do something that might bother someone (like asking a question or walking past), and Sorry *after* you've made a mistake or caused a small problem.

Real Conversations

Dialogue 1: At a Café

A

A

I'd like a coffee, please.
B

B

Okay. How much is it?
A

A

It's three dollars.
B

B

Thank you.

Dialogue 2: Asking for Directions

A

A

Excuse me.
B

B

Yes?
A

A

Where is the bus stop?
B

B

It's over there.

Dialogue 3: In a Shop

A

A

Can I try this shirt?
B

B

Yes, of course.
A

A

Thank you.
B

B

You’re welcome.

Quick FAQ

Q

How to use How much in English when asking for a price?

Use How much is...? for a single item (e.g., *How much is the bread?*) and How much are...? for multiple items (e.g., *How much are the bananas?*).

Q

What is the difference between I like and "I'd like" in English?

I like expresses a general preference or enjoyment (e.g., *I like coffee*). I'd like (short for I would like) is a polite way to request or order something specific right now (e.g., *I'd like a coffee*).

Q

When do I say Excuse me versus Sorry?

Use Excuse me to get someone's attention, to ask someone to move, or before you interrupt them. Use Sorry after you've made a mistake, bumped into someone, or done something wrong.

Q

Is «Can I...?» always okay for asking permission?

Yes, Can I...? is the most common and natural way to ask for permission in everyday, informal English conversations. It's polite enough for most situations.

Cultural Context

In English-speaking cultures, these simple phrases are very powerful! Saying Please and Thank you is expected and shows good manners, even for very basic interactions. Using "I'd like... instead of I want..." automatically makes you sound more polite and friendly.
Similarly, starting a question with Excuse me before asking Where is...? or «Can I...?» is a small but important courtesy that native speakers appreciate. While not strictly grammar, these politeness markers are a huge part of effective English survival & socializing for beginners.

Ejemplos clave (8)

1

How much is this apple?

¿Cuánto cuesta esta manzana?

¿Cuánto? — Preguntar el precio
2

How much is a coffee?

¿Cuánto cuesta un café?

¿Cuánto? — Preguntar el precio
3

Excuse me, is this seat free?

Disculpe, ¿está libre este asiento?

Esenciales de Cortesía: Disculpa, Lo Siento y Gracias
4

Oh, sorry! I didn't see you there.

¡Oh, lo siento! No te vi allí.

Esenciales de Cortesía: Disculpa, Lo Siento y Gracias
5

Excuse me, where is the library?

Disculpe, ¿dónde está la biblioteca?

¿Dónde está...? — Preguntar por ubicaciones
6

Where is my phone?

¿Dónde está mi teléfono?

¿Dónde está...? — Preguntar por ubicaciones
7

Can I use your computer for a minute?

¿Puedo usar tu computadora por un minuto?

Pedir permiso: ¿Puedo...?
8

Can I come in now, please?

¿Puedo entrar ahora, por favor?

Pedir permiso: ¿Puedo...?

Consejos y trucos (4)

💡

¡La cortesía abre puertas!

Antes de preguntar el precio, saluda con un 'Excuse me'. Verás que te atenderán con una sonrisa:
Excuse me, how much is this?
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: ¿Cuánto? — Preguntar el precio
💡

Siempre añade 'Please'

Poner 'please' al final de tu pedido lo hace mil veces más amigable. Es como el toque mágico en inglés: "I'd like a coffee, please."
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Me gustaría... — Pedir y Solicitudes Corteses
💡

Úsalas con confianza

¡No tengas pena! Usar estas palabras muestra respeto y mejora muchísimo tu comunicación:
English speakers appreciate the effort.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Esenciales de Cortesía: Disculpa, Lo Siento y Gracias
💡

Use 'The' for Public Places

When asking for a place everyone knows (the park, the station, the bathroom), always use 'the'. Saying 'Where is park?' sounds like the park is a person named Park.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: ¿Dónde está...? — Preguntar por ubicaciones

Vocabulario clave (5)

Price cost of an item Excuse me polite way to start a question Where asking for location Help assistance Please polite request marker

Real-World Preview

coffee

At the Cafe

Review Summary

  • How much is [item]?
  • I'd like [item].
  • Excuse me / Thank you
  • Where is [place]?
  • Can I [action]?
  • I need [help/item].

Errores comunes

In English questions, the verb 'is' comes before the subject 'it'.

Wrong: How much it is?
Correcto: How much is it?

Questions need the verb 'is' before the subject.

Wrong: Where the bank is?
Correcto: Where is the bank?

'I like' means you enjoy it generally. 'I'd like' means you want one now.

Wrong: I like a coffee.
Correcto: I'd like a coffee.

Next Steps

You have done an amazing job! Keep practicing these phrases every day to build your fluency.

Practice ordering at a local cafe.

Continue to: Starting with the Basics

Práctica rápida (10)

¿Cuál oración es correcta?

Elige la opción correcta:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Please speak slowly.
Slowly es el adverbio que describe cómo quieres que hablen (despacio).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: ¡Ayuda! — Frases de Emergencia y Supervivencia

¿Qué frase es correcta después de chocar con alguien?

Elige la opción correcta:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Sorry! I wasn't looking.
Sorry se usa para disculparse por un error cometido.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Esenciales de Cortesía: Disculpa, Lo Siento y Gracias

Elige la forma correcta para pedir permiso.

`___ I sit here?`

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Can
Can es el verbo modal correcto para pedir permiso. Am se usa para estados y Do para acciones generales.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Pedir permiso: ¿Puedo...?

Pick the correct sentence.

Which one is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Where are the keys?
In questions, the verb 'are' comes before the plural subject 'the keys'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: ¿Dónde está...? — Preguntar por ubicaciones

Elige la forma correcta

I ___ a glass of water, please.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: would like
'Would like' (o su contracción 'd like') es la forma educada de pedir algo. 'Want' puede sonar rudo.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Me gustaría... — Pedir y Solicitudes Corteses

Elige la forma correcta

How ___ is this book?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: much
Usamos 'much' para preguntar el precio. 'Many' se usa para cantidades contables.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: ¿Cuánto? — Preguntar el precio

Encuentra y corrige el error en la frase.

Find and fix the mistake:

`Am I can help you?`

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: `Can I help you?`
No se usa am con can. Can ya inicia la pregunta por sí solo.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Pedir permiso: ¿Puedo...?

Elige la forma correcta

I ___ help. Where is the toilet?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: need
I need es la forma más natural y directa de expresar una necesidad.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: ¡Ayuda! — Frases de Emergencia y Supervivencia

Fix the mistake in this sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Where the milk is?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Where is the milk?
The verb 'is' must come before 'the milk'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: ¿Dónde está...? — Preguntar por ubicaciones

Elige la frase correcta para llamar la atención.

___ me, could you help me with this bag?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Excuse
Usamos Excuse me para llamar la atención de alguien de forma educada.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Esenciales de Cortesía: Disculpa, Lo Siento y Gracias

Score: /10

Preguntas frecuentes (6)

Lo más sencillo es señalar y decir:
How much is this?
o
How much is it?
.
Porque el dinero se considera incontable en inglés. No dices 'un dinero, dos dineros', por eso usamos:
How much is it?
.
Lo más simple es I'd like + a/an + sustantivo, como en: "I'd like a sandwich."
¡Claro que sí! Puedes decir: "I'd like two coffees and a muffin."
Normalmente usas Excuse me *antes* de una acción (para llamar la atención) y Sorry *después* de una acción (para disculparte). Piensa en Excuse me para prevenir y Sorry para reaccionar.
¡Claro! Thanks es informal y muy común entre amigos. Thank you es siempre educado y apropiado en cualquier situación.
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