shop around
compare prices and quality at different shops before buying
What does "shop around" mean?
Examples
- It's always worth shopping around before you commit to a mobile phone contract.
- She shopped around for weeks before finding a mortgage with a good rate.
- Don't just accept the first quote you get — shop around and you could save a lot of money.
How to use it
Used without any object when the context already makes clear what is being compared, especially in general advice.
It always pays to shop around before you sign anything.
Use 'for' to specify the product or service you are comparing across different providers.
We spent a few days shopping around for the best broadband deal.
Common in fixed advisory constructions that recommend comparing before buying.
It's worth shopping around for car insurance — prices can vary enormously.
Used when giving or reporting advice directed at a specific person or group.
The financial adviser encouraged them to shop around for a better mortgage rate.
Highlights that comparison should happen before a commitment or purchase is made.
Make sure you shop around before committing to a long-term energy contract.
Common Collocations
Common Mistakes
'Shop around' is intransitive, so you cannot place a noun or pronoun directly after it. If you want to specify what you are comparing, use 'for' before the noun.
'Look around' suggests casual browsing in a place, without necessarily comparing options or planning to buy. 'Shop around' always implies deliberate comparison across multiple sources before a purchase decision.
Usage
This phrasal verb is neutral in register and equally natural in spoken and written English. It is commonly used in consumer and financial advice contexts in both British and American English, and applies to online comparison shopping as much as visiting physical stores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can 'shop around' be used for online shopping, or only for visiting actual shops?
It works just as well for online comparison as for visiting physical stores. You might say 'I shopped around online for the cheapest flights' or 'it's worth shopping around on comparison websites'. The phrase has fully extended to digital consumer behaviour.
Do I always need to add 'for' after 'shop around'?
No — 'for' is optional. When the context is already clear, you can simply say 'it pays to shop around' or 'make sure you shop around first'. You only need 'for' when you want to specify the product or service you are comparing.
What kinds of things can you 'shop around' for?
The most common uses involve financial products and services — insurance, mortgages, loans, energy suppliers, and phone contracts — as well as larger purchases like cars, appliances, or flights. It sounds less natural with very small, everyday items like a loaf of bread, where the effort of comparison would be unusual.
Can 'shop around' be used in the passive?
No. Because 'shop around' takes no direct object, it cannot be turned into a passive construction. There is no object that could become the subject of a passive sentence, so forms like 'it was shopped around' do not apply to this meaning.
Is 'shop around' more British or American English?
It is equally natural and widely used in both British and American English. You will find it in consumer journalism, financial advice, and everyday conversation on both sides of the Atlantic.
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