Recursio
Online Shopping, Delivery & Returns in English
Order, track and return things in English: add to cart, out of stock, tracking number, delayed, a refund — real phrases, common mistakes and an exercise.
Online shopping has three common stages, and each one has its own vocabulary: you place an order, you track it while it travels, and sometimes you return it. The same fixed phrases appear across many websites and support chats, so a small set covers most routine situations.
Placing an order
The checkout script is the same everywhere. You add something to your cart, go to checkout, and place the order. Sites in the UK often say basket rather than cart — same button, different word.
Two useful distinctions: shipping is the process of sending an item, while delivery often focuses on its final arrival; an order is what you placed, while a package is the parcel traveling to you.
Tracking a package
Tracking pages use a small, fixed vocabulary. Recognizing four statuses is usually enough to know where your package is.
Useful verbs around arrival: a package arrives, a courier delivers it, and you receive it. If nobody is home, it may be left with a neighbor, or you may receive a missed-delivery notice.
When something goes wrong
Lead with the facts. Support agents usually need three things first: what you ordered, the order number, and what happened. A specific message is easier to understand and act on.
Returns, refunds and exchanges
Three different outcomes, three different words. You return the item (send it back), get a refund (your money back), or exchange it for a different size or color.
Return windows, who pays return shipping, and how long a refund takes all vary by store and country — the phrases above work everywhere, but check the seller's own policy for the rules.
Common mistakes
"Return the money" for a refund. You return the item; the store refunds the money. Asking a person to "return my money" sounds like they took it.
✓Could I get a refund for this order?
"I ordered a delivery" when you mean the goods. You order an item or place an order; the delivery is how it reaches you.
✓I ordered a laptop yesterday. (though "I ordered delivery" is normal for restaurant food)
"I didn't receive it still." With yet, put it at the end; still goes before the verb and sounds a bit more impatient.
✓I haven't received my order yet. / I still haven't received it.
Mixing up delayed and canceled. A delayed package is still coming; a canceled order is not.
✓My order was delayed — it should arrive next week.
Quick exercise
Fill each gap with one item from this list: out of stock · tracking number · refund · exchange · out for delivery · return policy.
- I wanted the blue one, but it's ___ in my size.
- They emailed me a ___ so I can follow the package online.
- The status changed this morning — it's ___ , so it should come today.
- The shoes don't fit. Could I ___ them for a size nine instead?
- I don't want a replacement, just my money back — can I get a ___ ?
- Check their ___ before you buy; some stores only accept items back within 14 days.
Answer key
- out of stock (not available right now)
- tracking number (the code that lets you follow the package)
- out for delivery (on its final delivery route, usually scheduled for today)
- exchange (swap for another item, not money back)
- refund (your money back)
- return policy (the store's rules for sending things back)
Practice this in Recursio
Ordering, tracking, returning and asking for a refund each come with their own set phrases. Save the ones you need to your word list in Recursio, and spaced review can make them easier to recall the next time a package goes missing.
Build your word list in Recursio → · Free to start, on iOS and Android.