[Grammar] "How much is it", is this sentence for buying one item?

[kwfine]

Dear teachers,

I went to a convenient store for some chocolate, potato chips and some soft drinks for the coming weekend party,
and when I was going to pay for purchased items, a question came across my mind:
Can I use "How much is it" to ask the shop assistant how much I need to pay for the items?
Since I bought more than 1 item, I wonder if "How much is it" can be used in this case.
Or shall I say "How much are they?"

Please help teachers.

Thank you

Kitty

 

[5jj]

'How much is it?' is possible, though 'How much is that?' is more natural, in my opinion.

 

[SoothingDave]

"How much is it?" is possible, meaning "How much is the total?"

 

[emsr2d2]

How much does that come to?
How much do I owe you?
How much for that lot?

To be honest, I wouldn't expect to have to ask a shopkeeper "How much...?" They should simply tell you the total price once they have put everything through the till.

 

[BobK]

But 'How much is it?' is not unknown. It is the basis for a joke about an author in a signing session in Australia. Someone asks this question (with the appropriate accent for that particular stereotype) and the author writes 'To Emma Chizzit'.

b