exchange a present

[jctgf]

hi,

here where i live it's common to "exchange" a present that you have received when it doesn't fit you well.

suppose you received a shirt as a present for your birthday but it's too small.

you can visit the store in order to "exchange" it for a bigger size.

what's the correct verb to express it?

to change the shirt?
to exchange the shirt?
to swap the shirt?
to trade the shirt?

thanks,
jc

[MrPedantic]

Hello JC,

I would "change" the shirt, in your context, e.g.

1. I went to B&Q to change the underwear that someone had bought me for Christmas.

2. If you are not happy with your bottles of Castlemaine 4X, we are always happy to change them for another brand or give you your money back, provided you have a receipt and haven't already drunk them.

Best wishes,

MrP

[jctgf]

hi,

what's the difference between change and exchange?

thanks,

jc

[Delmobile]

Exchange is correct, at least in the US. The desk where you complete the transaction is often labeled "Returns and Exchanges."

"This shirt is too small; I'm hoping to exchange it for an extra-large."

Return would be bringing the shirt to the store to get your money back.

"I'd like to return this shirt; the collar is falling off, and the dye rubs off when you touch the fabric."

Change means to take off one shirt and put on another.

"If we're going to Chez Pierre for dinner, I'll need to change my shirt."

"Swap" and "trade" carry the same meaning as "exchange," but are much less formal, particularly "swap." You might use these words with friends:

"Say, Bob, since you seem to like this shirt my grandmother sent me so much, I'll trade it to you for the muffler your aunt knitted you."

"No, thanks. If I swap the muffler for that shirt, my aunt might notice who's wearing it when she comes to visit."

[not a teacher]

[Delmobile]

It seems we have yet another example of a difference in BE and AE usage! Mr. Pedantic's first example immediately makes me think of someone skulking in a dressing room at B&Q, stepping out of one pair of underwear and into a fresh pair. :)

[MrPedantic]

Originally Posted by Delmobile

It seems we have yet another example of a difference in BE and AE usage!

On reflection, although I would say "change" when e.g. discussing the episode with a friend, I would expect the store to say "exchange" when setting out its conditions, e.g.

1. We are also very happy to exchange them for a different size if necessary.

(Which is a little odd.)

Mr. Pedantic's first example immediately makes me think of someone skulking in a dressing room at B&Q, stepping out of one pair of underwear and into a fresh pair. :)

(You'd be surprised how much of that kind of thing goes on there.)

MrP

[amigos4]

Originally Posted by Delmobile

It seems we have yet another example of a difference in BE and AE usage! Mr. Pedantic's first example immediately makes me think of someone skulking in a dressing room at B&Q, stepping out of one pair of underwear and into a fresh pair. :)

I knew there was a reason why people were calling him 'Mr. P.'

Cheers,
Amigos4

[jctgf]

hi,

what does "e.g." mean?

it has been very used on this post.

thanks,
jc

[MrPedantic]

Hello jc,

e.g. means "for example".

It's an abbreviation of the Latin phrase exempli gratia, which means "for the sake of example".

Best wishes,

MrP

[Delmobile]

e.g. means "for example." "i.e." means almost the same thing but not quite. Many native speakers confuse the two

Dictionary of English - e.g. <i>or</i> i.e.