MicroEnglish

B1 · 1-minute English lesson

Checking a café order

The rule, three real examples and a quick check, in one minute.

Tap the right side to go on.

The rule

In an order such as two soups, but one without cream, the customer wants two portions and changes only one.

Example 1 of 3

Say it like this

We would like two vegetable soups, but one without cream, please.

The total stays at two; only one portion changes.

Tap the sound icon at the top to hear a native speaker.

Example 2 of 3

Say it like this

Could you use oat milk instead of ordinary milk in one tea?

Instead of makes the replacement explicit.

Tap the sound icon at the top to hear a native speaker.

Example 3 of 3

Say it like this

My sister has a dairy allergy, so could you check the ingredients?

The reason is an allergy, and the speaker asks for a check.

Tap the sound icon at the top to hear a native speaker.

Good to know

Without cream describes a requested change. It does not establish that a soup contains no dairy ingredients.

Quick check

Answer in your head. Answers next.

  1. 1. How many soups does the example order?
    • A Two soups in total.
    • B Three soups in total.
    • C One soup in total.

Answers

  1. 1. Two soups in total.One identifies a portion within the order of two.

Now practise it

Listen, type what you hear and test yourself in the full lesson. It is free to start.

More English stories
Practise the full lesson