- Have you ever wondered if you should “make” a discount or “give” one?
- Do you know the difference between a “steep discount” and a “trade discount”?
- Are you unsure which preposition to use after the word “discount”?
Mastering discount collocations is essential for anyone looking to navigate the worlds of retail, business, and finance with confidence. Using the right word combinations not only makes you sound more like a native speaker but also ensures your professional communication is precise and effective. In this guide, we break down how to use “discount” as both a noun and a verb to help you stop translating from your native language and start thinking in English.
Essential Collocations using DISCOUNT as a Noun
Adjectives to Describe the Size of a Discount
In English, we use specific adjectives to indicate how large or small a price reduction is.
- Deep / Steep / Heavy discount: A very large reduction in price.
Example: “The retailer offered a steep discount on last year’s models to clear inventory.” - Substantial / Significant discount: A large and noticeable reduction.
Example: “Employees are entitled to a substantial discount on all company products.” - Modest / Slight discount: A small reduction in price.
Example: “The bookstore offered a modest discount to students.”
Common Verbs Used with the Noun “Discount”
Knowing which verb to pair with “discount” is the most common challenge for ESL learners.
- Offer / Give a discount: When a seller provides a lower price.
Example: “Many hotels offer a discount if you book at least a month in advance.” - Receive / Get / Get a discount: When a buyer pays a lower price.
Example: “You will receive a discount of 10% if you pay in cash.” - Claim / Avail of a discount: To take advantage of a discount that is offered.
Example: “To claim your discount, please enter the promo code at checkout.” - Negotiate a discount: To discuss and agree on a lower price.
Example: “Since we were buying in bulk, we managed to negotiate a discount.”
Types of Discounts
Context determines the specific name of the discount being applied.
- Loyalty discount: Given to frequent or long-term customers.
Example: “Our loyalty discount rewards customers who have been with us for over five years.” - Bulk / Quantity discount: Given when purchasing large amounts of an item.
Example: “Wholesalers usually provide a bulk discount for orders over 500 units.” - Introductory discount: Given to new customers or for new products.
Example: “Sign up for our newsletter to receive a 15% introductory discount.” - Seasonal discount: Linked to specific times of the year (e.g., Black Friday).
Example: “Stores often offer seasonal discounts at the end of winter.”
Common Collocations with DISCOUNT as a Verb
When used as a verb, “discount” has two distinct meanings: one related to price and one related to the validity of information.
Meaning 1: To Reduce a Price
- Heavily discounted: Frequently used in the passive voice to describe products on sale.
Example: “The floor samples were heavily discounted because they had minor scratches.” - Discount something by (percentage): To specify the amount of the reduction.
Example: “They decided to discount the remaining stock by 30%.”
Meaning 2: To Dismiss or Ignore an Idea
In professional and academic English, “discount” often means to consider something as unimportant or unlikely to be true.
- Discount the possibility: To decide that something is not likely to happen.
Example: “We cannot discount the possibility of a further interest rate hike.” - Discount a theory / claim: To reject an explanation or statement.
Example: “Scientists have discounted the theory after new evidence emerged.” - Entirely / Totally discount: To completely ignore a piece of information.
Example: “You shouldn’t entirely discount his advice; he has a lot of experience.”
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Steep discount | Adjective + Noun | A very large price reduction. |
| Offer a discount | Verb + Noun | To provide a lower price. |
| Bulk discount | Noun + Noun | Lower price for buying many items. |
| Discount the price | Verb + Noun | To lower the cost of an item. |
| Discount the possibility | Verb + Noun | To ignore or reject an idea. |
| Heavily discounted | Adverb + Verb (Passive) | Priced much lower than usual. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
Many learners use “make” or “do” with discount, which sounds unnatural to native speakers. Use the table below to correct your usage.
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| Can you make me a discount? | Can you give me a discount? |
| I got a discount of 20% on the shoes. | I got a 20% discount on the shoes. |
| There is a big discount. | There is a steep/deep discount. |
| I will discount the importance of this. | I won’t discount the importance of this. |
“Dear Mr. Miller, thank you for your interest in our software. While we don’t usually offer a discount for individual licenses, we can provide a substantial discount if you purchase a corporate package. This bulk discount is designed for teams of ten or more. Please don’t discount the possibility of a custom plan if these options don’t meet your needs. We are currently discounting the setup fee for all new clients this month.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Discount Collocations
Which preposition follows “discount”?
We typically use “on” for the product (e.g., a discount on electronics) and “for” for the person or group (e.g., a discount for seniors). You can also use “of” to state the amount (e.g., a discount of $10).
Is it “discount price” or “discounted price”?
“Discounted price” is the more common and natural way to describe the final, lower price you pay. “Discount price” is sometimes used in marketing (like “discount prices!”), but “discounted price” is grammatically safer in sentences.
Can “discount” be used as an adjective?
Yes, “discount” can function as an attributive noun (acting like an adjective). For example, a “discount store” or “discount airline.” In these cases, it describes a business that always offers low prices.
What is the difference between “discount” and “sale”?
A “discount” is a reduction applied to a specific item or for a specific person. A “sale” is a period of time during which many items in a store are discounted (e.g., “The summer sale starts tomorrow”).
How do I use “discount” in a formal business meeting?
In formal settings, use verbs like “authorize,” “apply,” or “negotiate.” Instead of saying “Give me a lower price,” say “Is there any flexibility to apply a volume discount to this order?”
This has clarified so much for me. I often mixed up the prepositions! I will be bookmarking this page for future reference. Thank you, Translateen.com!
Fantastic article! I really appreciate how you break down complex ideas into understandable chunks. The examples are perfect for cementing the knowledge.
I often see 'discount rate' in financial articles. Is that related to the collocations discussed here, or is it a more specialized term?
Could you give an example of 'take a discount'? I'm wondering if it's common for customers to say that, or if it's more of a business term.
Great question, Ethan! 'Take a discount' is indeed commonly used from the customer's perspective, meaning to benefit from a price reduction. For example: 'We decided to take a discount on the older model rather than paying full price for the newest one.' It perfectly describes the action of accepting or utilizing a discount offered to you.
Is there a specific context where 'heavy discount' is preferred over 'deep discount'? They both sound very strong, but I'm trying to fine-tune my vocabulary.
The explanation for 'discount' as a verb was particularly helpful. I knew it meant reducing prices, but the secondary meaning (to disregard) was new to me. A pleasant surprise!
I'm learning English for retail, so this article is incredibly relevant. I've always heard 'clearance sale' for deep discounts, but how does that relate to a 'discount sale'? Are they the same?
Could you talk a bit about the difference in nuance between 'significant discount' and 'substantial discount'? They both imply a large reduction, but is one stronger than the other?
That's an excellent point, Rajesh, regarding the subtle differences between 'significant' and 'substantial' discount! While very similar, 'substantial' often implies a discount that is quite large in *amount* or *value*, something solid and weighty. 'Significant' also means large, but can sometimes additionally imply that the discount has a noticeable *impact* or *importance*. In many everyday contexts, they are interchangeable, but 'substantial' might slightly lean towards the sheer size of the reduction.
The struggle to stop translating from my native language is so real! This guide is a lifesaver. I never thought about how crucial these collocations are for sounding natural. Thank you, Translateen.com!
This is excellent for intermediate learners! For more advanced users, are there any other verbs that commonly collocate with 'discount' besides 'give' or 'offer'? Perhaps something more formal?
That's a thoughtful question for advanced learners, Juan! While 'give' and 'offer' are the most common, you can also encounter verbs like 'grant a discount' (often in more formal or legal contexts), 'receive a discount' (from the customer's perspective), or even 'negotiate a discount' (highlighting the process of arriving at the reduction). 'Apply a discount' is also used, particularly in the context of implementing it. These add further precision to your vocabulary!