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I want to buy something which costs 10 dollars. I have only 7 dollars.

Now my question is, Which are the other ways to say that I need 3$ more? Are the sentences below ok?

3$ needed more

3$ more

I lack 3$

3$ lacked

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  • 1
    In English, we put the dollar sign before the number, like $3.
    – stangdon
    Commented Aug 22, 2021 at 15:13
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    I lack $3 would work although it does sound a bit strange.
    – mdewey
    Commented Aug 22, 2021 at 15:37
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    Note that when writing things out it is generally accepted practice to spell out numbers smaller than twelve or so, instead of using the Roman numerals. And of course when you spell out the number you spell out the currency too. So: I need three more dollars.
    – randomhead
    Commented Aug 22, 2021 at 17:03
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    I'd say, "I want to buy something which costs ten pounds but I'm three pounds short." I don't know if I'd find life easy in States! :)
    – Old Brixtonian
    Commented Aug 22, 2021 at 18:39
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    Or: I need 3 dollars more. Note to Old Brixtonian: we say short in the US, too. three dollars short.
    – Lambie
    Commented Aug 22, 2021 at 19:13

2 Answers 2

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It would depend on what you are trying to say.

If you wanted to explain that you can't afford it, you might say "Sorry, I'm short by $3", although it would be simpler to just say "Sorry, I only have $7".

If you were a child asking a parent for more money then you might say "I need $3 more", or "I need another $3". Saying "I need..." generally implies that you are trying to get it, so you wouldn't say that unless it was part of a request or some other plan to get it.

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  • Can I say the short amount to refer to the amount that I need?
    – Mohammad Barbast
    Commented Aug 22, 2021 at 17:12
  • The amount that you are short is the balance that you require (amount you need) to purchase the item.
    – Ronald Sole
    Commented Aug 22, 2021 at 18:25
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    @MohammadBarbast The phrase is "short by", so "the amount I'm short by" would be what you want, although that is a clumsy way to put it.
    – Paul Johnson
    Commented Aug 23, 2021 at 8:07
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If you say

I need $3 more.

it is clear that you need $3 to complete a sum that is necessary presumably for a certain purchase.

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