service charge included

Meaning

This phrase indicates that a fee for the service (often 10% to 15%) has already been added to the total bill. When you see this on a receipt or menu, it means you do not need to leave an additional tip, though you can if the service was exceptional.

Examples

• You don't need to leave a tip because the bill says service charge included.

  You don't need to leave a tip because the bill says service charge included.

• Is the service charge included, or do we need to calculate the tip ourselves?

  Is the service charge included, or do we need to calculate the tip ourselves?

• At this restaurant, groups of six or more will find the service charge included.

  At this restaurant, groups of six or more will find the service charge included.

• I checked the receipt and noticed that there was a 12% service charge included.

  I checked the receipt and noticed that there was a 12% service charge included.

• She asked the waiter if the service charge was included in the total price.

  She asked the waiter if the service charge was included in the total price.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The service fee is include.

  ✓ The service charge is included.

  'Included' must be in the past participle form because it is a passive construction (the charge has been included by the restaurant).

• ✗ We paid a service charge including.

  ✓ We paid a bill with the service charge included.

  'Including' is active, but the service charge is something that is included (passive) in the final price.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Check the bottom of the bill to see if there is a ___.

  💡 A fee for service that is already added to the bill.

  Show answer

  service charge included

• Since there was a 15% ___, we didn't leave any extra cash on the table.

  💡 The tip was already added to the receipt.

  Show answer

  service charge included