Checking Book Availability/Stock
A customer finds a book they want but it's out of stock or they need multiple copies, so they ask a staff member to check the inventory system.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
excuse me
A polite phrase used to get someone's attention, especially in public places like a bookstore. It's common when you need help from a stranger.
shelves
The flat surfaces in a bookstore where books are displayed and stored for customers to browse. Plural of 'shelf'.
copies
Multiple versions or duplicates of the same book. Use this when you want more than one of an item, like 'I need two copies'.
out of stock
Means something is not available right now because it has sold out. Common in shopping situations to explain why an item isn't on display.
inventory
The list or stock of items a store has, often kept in a back area. In stores, it refers to items not yet on the shelves.
grab
An informal word meaning to quickly get or fetch something. Use it casually with friends or staff, like 'grab a book for me'.
fantastic
Means excellent or very good. It's a positive response to show appreciation, similar to 'great' or 'wonderful'.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Excuse me, I'm looking for a book called 'The Midnight Library' by Matt Haig, but I can't seem to find any copies on the shelves.
This is a polite way to ask for help finding a specific book. It uses 'I'm looking for' to state your need and 'can't seem to find' to express difficulty. Useful when starting a conversation in a store; practice giving book title and author details.
Let me check for you. 'The Midnight Library,' you said? One moment while I pull it up on our system.
A helpful response from staff confirming the request. 'Let me check' offers assistance, and 'pull it up' means to search on a computer. Use this pattern to confirm details and ask for a short wait; it's polite service language.
Yes, that's right. I'm hoping to get two copies if possible.
Confirms information and states a request for quantity. 'That's right' agrees politely, and 'if possible' softens the ask. Useful for specifying needs like numbers of items; shows how to make conditional requests.
Alright, it looks like we're actually out of stock on the shelves right now, but we do have three copies in our backroom inventory.
Explains availability issues clearly. 'It looks like' introduces findings softly, and contrasts 'out of stock' with available stock. Great for staff to use or learners to understand store responses; teaches contrasting ideas with 'but'.
Would you like me to grab those for you?
Offers to fetch items politely with a yes/no question. 'Would you like' is formal and helpful. Use this to offer service or when staff asks you; it's a common pattern for providing assistance in retail.
Oh, that would be fantastic! Thank you so much.
Expresses strong positive reaction and gratitude. 'That would be' is conditional for future help, and 'thank you so much' emphasizes thanks. Useful for showing appreciation; practice exclamations like 'Oh' for natural emotion.