Giving and asking directions English lesson

Important verbs and prepositions when giving directions

Questions you can ask about directions

Excuse me, ……
Can you (please) tell me how I can get to Oxford Street?

Can you (please) tell me how to get to Oxford Street?

Can you please tell me how to go to Oxford Street?

Where is the nearest supermarket?

How can I get to the local market?

I'm trying to get to Downing Street.

I’m looking for the bank.

How do I get to the office?

What's the best way to get to your house next ?

Where is Mc Donalds can you tell me please?

Is there any/ a bank near here? (around here/ near you/ nearby)
How to give directions to somebody else

Go straight on till you see the hospital then turn left.

Turn back, you have gone past the turning.

Turn left when you see a roundabout.

Turn right at the end of the road and my house is number 67.

Cross the junction and keep going for about 1 mile.

Take the third road on the right and you will see the office on the right

Take the third road on the right and you will see the shop on the left

Take the second road on the left and you will see the house on the left

Take the second road on the left and you will see the hospital straight ahead

The hospital is opposite the railway station.

The shop is near the hospital.

The house is next to the local cricket ground.

The shop is in between the chemist and KFC.

At the end of the road you will see a roundabout.

At the corner of the road you will see red building.

Just around the corner is my house you will need to stop quickly or
you will miss it.

Go straight on at the traffic lights.

Turn right at the crossroads.

Follow the signposts for Manchester.

Giving directions conversation

Mr Bean : - Please tell me how I get to your apartment?

Mrs Smith: - Are you coming by car or by bus?

Mr Bean : - I am coming by car.

Mr Bean : - Please could you tell me the easiest way of getting to your apartment?

Mrs Smith: - Take the M6 to Manchester and come of at junction 6

Mr Bean : - Manchester can you spell that for me

Mrs Smith: - M a n c h e s t e r

Mr Bean : - Thanks

Mrs Smith: - OK, then turn right at the roundabout and take the first left my house is on the
left next to the local food store.

Mr Bean : - Is that the quickest way of getting to your apartment?

Mrs Smith: - Yes, it is the quickest way by car.

Mr Bean : - Would you draw me a map please I don't know the area.

Mrs Smith: - Yes.

Mr Bean : - Thanks.

And finally some tips

Speak slowly so the other person can understand.

Speak slowly so the other person can write down the instructions if talking on the phone.

When speaking with someone, use your hands to demonstrate what you mean, left, right,
or straight on.

Always try and use the word "please" when you are asking someone for directions. It's
polite, and people are more likely to help you!

Landmarks
We often make reference to landmarks when we give directions to help the other person. These
can be places in a town, such as cinema, bank, bus stop, etc. They can also be parts of the road
system. Here are some common terms:

taxi rank = a place where taxis queue for passengers

level crossing = where the road and railway meet. There are barriers that go up and down to
signal when a train is coming
underpass = a walkway that goes under a busy road so pedestrians can get to the other side
safely

overpass / flyover = a road that goes over another road (or railway)

zebra crossing = black and white markings in the road for pedestrians to cross the road (the
markings look like a zebra's stripes)

pedestrian crossing = a place in the road where pedestrians can cross. Often there are traffic
lights.

tunnel = a road under (or through) mountains

crossroads = where two roads cross each other

junction = where one road meets another, and you can either go left or right

fork in the road = where the road divides, and you decide to go left or right

turning = a road off to your left or right

main road = a big road where there is lots of traffic

lane = a small road, or a part of a road (the left-hand lane / the right-hand lane; the bus lane)

Use prepositions of direction

Go past = continue past something so that is is now behind you

Go across = cross something, like a road or crossroads

Go along = continue down a road

Go straight on = don't turn left or right

Go up = walk / drive up a hill

Go down = walk or drive down a hill or a road

Go through = pass through something, such as a tunnel or a town

Go out of = exit (i.e. a railway station)

It's in front of you = you can see it facing you

It's opposite the bank = it faces the bank

It's on the corner = it's where two roads meet at a 90° angle