A bill tells you how much you owe for goods or services.

The idea

Bill is countable: a bill, two bills. You can pay the bill or split the bill.

Examples

  • The electricity bill arrived yesterday.
  • We paid the restaurant bill together.
  • Your phone bill is due next week.
  • Please check the bill for any mistakes.
  • The water bill was lower this month.
  • Can we split the bill between us?

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Watch out

A bill requests payment; a receipt records a payment already made.

Try it yourself

  1. Choose the correct word. Ask the waiter for the ___. (bill / key)

    Show answer or example answer

    bill

    bill: it shows the amount owed for the meal.

  2. Choose the correct word. I have two phone ___ to pay. (bills / bill)

    Show answer or example answer

    bills

    bills: two separate statements need the plural.

  3. Choose the correct word. Let us ___ the bill so we each pay half. (split / close)

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    split

    split: each person pays a share.

Use it today

Describe a bill you receive and when you pay it.