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Lessons & Tips Phrases for Work Asking For A Discount Asking For A Discount
Avoid: Dirty is it? I ask my supervisor can give cheaper or not.
Say: Is it dirty? Let me ask my supervisor if we can sell it to you at a discount.
The sentence structure “Dirty is it?” is incorrect. Instead it should be “Is it dirty?”
“I ask my supervisor can give cheaper or not” is also grammatically incorrect. The terms “I ask” and “can give cheaper or not” are common errors made by Singaporeans.
Working On Grammatically Correct Phrases
It is better to say “Let me ask my supervisor” or “I will ask my supervisor”.
“Can give cheaper or not” should instead be “Can we sell it to you cheaper” or “Can we offer you a discount for it”.
If you’re caught in a similar situation in future, try saying, “Is it dirty? Let me ask my supervisor if we can sell it you cheaper.”
Source: Edited from the Singapore Retailers Association's Speak Good English pamphlet.
