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A2Shopping for Clothes

How to 'Look For' Clothes Using Prepositions

Phrasal Verb: look for |Grammar: Prepositions of Place (in/on/at)

Objective

Students will learn how to use the phrasal verb 'look for' and prepositions of place (in, on, at) to search for clothes in a store.

Article

When you go shopping for clothes, you often need to look for specific items. For example, you might look for a blue shirt in the men’s section. Some clothes are on the shelves, while others are on hangers. You can look for shoes at the front of the store or look for hats on the top shelf. It is easy to get lost if you don’t know where to look. You should look for signs in the store that tell you where things are. Sometimes, you may ask a shop assistant where to look for your size or favourite colour. When you look for clothes, remember to check in the changing rooms if you want to try them on. Looking for clothes is fun when you know where to look and which preposition to use. This helps you find what you want quickly and enjoy shopping more.

Grammar Explanation

Meaning

'Look for' means to search or try to find something.

Grammar Note

Prepositions of place (in, on, at) show where something is located. Use 'in' for enclosed spaces, 'on' for surfaces, and 'at' for specific points or places.

Usage Tips

  • Use 'look for' when you want to find something.
  • Use 'in' for places like 'in the store' or 'in the box'.
  • Use 'on' for surfaces like 'on the shelf' or 'on the rack'.

Examples

I am looking for a red dress in the women’s section.

Searching inside a part of the store

She looks for her favourite shoes on the bottom shelf.

Searching on a surface

We look for jackets at the back of the shop.

Searching at a specific place

He looks for a hat on the top shelf near the window.

Searching on a surface near a location

They look for their size in the changing room area.

Searching inside a part of the store

Dialogue

Context: A customer asks a shop assistant where to find a specific item.

A:
Excuse me, I’m looking for a blue jumper. Where can I find it?
B:
You can look for jumpers in the section on the right, near the jackets.
A:
Thank you! Should I look on the shelves or on hangers?
B:
Most jumpers are on hangers, but some are folded on the shelves.
A:
Great, I will look for my size there.
B:
If you need help, just ask me at the counter.

Vocabulary

jumper
A knitted piece of clothing worn on the upper body
Example: She bought a warm jumper for winter.
Synonym: sweater
shelf
A flat surface for storing items
Example: The shoes are on the bottom shelf.
Synonym: rack
hanger
A device used to hang clothes
Example: The jackets are on hangers.
Synonym: clothes hanger
changing room
A small room in a shop to try on clothes
Example: I tried the dress in the changing room.
Synonym: fitting room
counter
The place in a shop where you pay or ask for help
Example: Ask the assistant at the counter.
Synonym: desk
section
A part or area of a place
Example: The men’s section is on the left.
Synonym: area
size
The measurement of clothes to fit a person
Example: I need a size medium shirt.
Synonym: measurement
store
A place where you buy things
Example: I went to the store to buy a jacket.
Synonym: shop
on
Preposition indicating something is on a surface
Example: The hat is on the table.
Synonym: upon
at
Preposition indicating a specific point or place
Example: Meet me at the shop entrance.
Synonym: by

Tips

  • When you are not sure where to look, ask a shop assistant for help.
  • Remember that 'in' is used for enclosed places like 'in the store'.
  • Don't say 'look in the table'—use 'on the table' for surfaces.

Summary

In this lesson, you learned how to use the phrasal verb 'look for' when searching for clothes in a store. You also practiced using prepositions of place like in, on, and at to describe where items are located. This will help you shop more easily and communicate clearly.

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