A0 · Point Zéro Chapitre 6

Survival & Socializing

6 Règles totales
71 exemples
5 min
Règles dans ce chapitre Pratique rapide

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.

Ce que tu vas apprendre

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...?'.

Guide du chapitre

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.

Exemples clés (8)

1

How much is this apple?

Combien coûte cette pomme ?

Combien ? — Demander le prix
2

How much is a coffee?

Combien coûte un café ?

Combien ? — Demander le prix
3

I'd like a hamburger, please.

J'aimerais un hamburger, s'il vous plaît.

J'aimerais... — Commander & Requêtes Polies
4

I'd like to buy this book.

J'aimerais acheter ce livre.

J'aimerais... — Commander & Requêtes Polies
5

Excuse me, is this seat free?

Excusez-moi, ce siège est-il libre ?

Essentiels de Politesse : Excusez-moi, Désolé & Merci
6

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

Oh, pardon ! Je ne t'avais pas vu(e).

Essentiels de Politesse : Excusez-moi, Désolé & Merci
7

Excuse me, where is the library?

Excusez-moi, où est la bibliothèque ?

Où est... ? — Demander des lieux
8

Where is my phone?

Où est mon téléphone ?

Où est... ? — Demander des lieux

Conseils et astuces (4)

💡

Sois toujours poli(e) !

Commencer par 'Excuse me,' ou ajouter 'please' fait une grande différence. Ça montre du respect et tu seras mieux servi(e) !
Excuse me, how much is this, please?
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Combien ? — Demander le prix
💡

Ajoute toujours 'Please'

Ajouter 'please' à la fin de ta demande la rend encore plus polie et amicale. C'est un petit mot qui fait une grande différence en anglais, comme la cerise sur le gâteau linguistique ! "I'd like a coffee, please."
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: J'aimerais... — Commander & Requêtes Polies
💡

Utilise-les avec confiance

N'aie pas peur de les utiliser ! Dire ces mots montre du respect et aide beaucoup à communiquer. Les anglophones apprécient vraiment l'effort.
Excuse me, can I ask a question?
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Essentiels de Politesse : Excusez-moi, Désolé & Merci
💡

Ajoute une formule de politesse

Quand tu parles à un inconnu, commence toujours par 'Excuse me,' ou 'Pardon me,'. Ça te rendra super sympa et respectueux, pas exigeant. Les gens seront plus enclins à t'aider !
Excuse me, where is the station?
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Où est... ? — Demander des lieux

Vocabulaire clé (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].

Erreurs courantes

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

Wrong: How much it is?
Correct: How much is it?

Questions need the verb 'is' before the subject.

Wrong: Where the bank is?
Correct: Where is the bank?

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

Wrong: I like a coffee.
Correct: 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: L'Anglais Facile : Tes Premiers Mots

Pratique rapide (10)

Quelle phrase est correcte ?

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Where is the bank?
Les questions anglaises sur l'emplacement ont besoin du verbe 'to be' ('is' pour le singulier) et ne peuvent pas l'omettre.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Où est... ? — Demander des lieux

Trouve et corrige l'erreur dans cette demande d'information.

Find and fix the mistake:

Sorry, where is the nearest bus stop?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Excuse me, where is the nearest bus stop?
Excuse me est utilisé pour initier une demande polie ou demander des informations.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Essentiels de Politesse : Excusez-moi, Désolé & Merci

Quelle phrase est correcte ?

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Please speak slowly.
'Slowly' est un adverbe qui modifie le verbe 'speak'. Les adverbes se terminent souvent par -ly.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Au Secours ! — Phrases d'Urgence et de Survie

Trouve et corrige l'erreur

Find and fix the mistake:

Where are my bag?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Where is my bag?
'Bag' est un nom singulier, nous utilisons donc 'is', pas 'are'. 'Are' est utilisé pour les noms pluriels.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Où est... ? — Demander des lieux

Quelle phrase est correcte ?

Choisis la phrase correcte :

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: How much is the coffee?
Le 'coffee' est généralement traité comme inquantifiable lorsqu'on demande le prix, donc 'much' et 'is' sont corrects.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Combien ? — Demander le prix

Choisis la forme correcte pour demander la permission.

`___ I sit here?`

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Can
Can est le verbe modal correct pour demander la permission. Am est pour les affirmations sur l'être, et Do est pour les verbes d'action généraux.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Demander la permission : Puis-je...?

Quelle phrase exprime correctement des excuses après avoir bousculé quelqu'un ?

Choisis la bonne phrase :

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Sorry! I wasn't looking.
Sorry est utilisé pour s'excuser d'une erreur que tu as commise.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Essentiels de Politesse : Excusez-moi, Désolé & Merci

Trouve et corrige l'erreur

Find and fix the mistake:

She'd like go to the park.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: She'd like to go to the park.
Quand tu exprimes le désir de faire une action, utilise toujours 'to' avant le verbe après 'I'd like'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: J'aimerais... — Commander & Requêtes Polies

Quelle phrase est correcte ?

Choisis la phrase correcte :

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I'd like a pizza, please.
'I'd like' est la manière polie de commander ou de demander. 'I want' est trop direct, et 'I like' exprime une préférence générale, pas une demande actuelle.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: J'aimerais... — Commander & Requêtes Polies

Choisis la forme correcte

Excuse me, where ___ the train station?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: is
'Station' est un nom singulier, il nécessite donc la forme singulière de 'to be', qui est 'is'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Où est... ? — Demander des lieux

Score: /10

Questions fréquentes (6)

La manière la plus simple est
How much is this?
ou
How much is it?
en pointant l'objet. C'est simple et toujours compris.
Nous utilisons 'much' parce que l'argent (et par extension, le prix) est considéré comme un nom inquantifiable en anglais. Tu ne peux pas dire 'one money, two money'.
La façon la plus simple est 'I'd like + a/an + nom', comme "I'd like a sandwich." C'est parfait pour commander un seul article.
Oui, absolument ! Tu peux dire "I'd like two coffees and a muffin. ou I'd like some apples and bananas."
Excuse me s'utilise généralement *avant* une action (pour attirer l'attention, passer), tandis que Sorry s'utilise *après* une action (pour s'excuser d'une erreur ou exprimer un regret). Pense : Excuse me pour prévenir, Sorry pour réagir.
Oui, Thanks est une façon informelle et courante d'exprimer sa gratitude, surtout avec des amis ou dans des situations décontractées. Thank you est toujours poli et approprié dans toutes les situations, y compris formelles.
Chapitre précédent
Talking About Time
Chapitre suivant
L'Anglais Facile : Tes Premiers Mots
Retour à la feuille de route