Language for asking directions

Can you tell me

Do you know
the way to

how to get to
the (nearest) post office

bus stop

toilet
Covent Garden

Trafalgar Square

Bush House


Language for giving directions
Left
go left
turn left
it's on the left
take a left
take the second (turning) on the left

Right
go right
turn right
it's on the right
take a right
take the second (turning) on the right

Ahead
go ahead
go straight ahead
go straight on

Asking and giving
directions



Task 1. True or false.



you are here
1. The jewelery store is behind the Italian restaurant
2. The bar is on Second Avenue
3. The police station is on the left from Fire Department
4. The toy store is across from the Chinese restaurant
5. The movie theater is opposite the Book store
6. The sporting goods store is behind the Furniture store
7. The bar is next to the Chinese restaurant


Task 2. Look at the map. Choose the correct name of the building!

1. Take the first street on the left. Take the next street on the right. Go straight
on and cross the road. It's on the left.

2. Take the first street on the left. Go down the street. Turn on the right. Take
the next street on the right. Go straight on and cross the road. Go straight on.
It's in front of you on the other side of the road.
3. Take the first street on the left. Take the next street on the right. Take the next
street on the right. Pass the Fire Department. It's on your left.

Task 3. Fill in the missing preposition.

1. The Women's wear is the Jewelry Store.
2. The Movie Theater is the Book Store.
3. The Women's wear is the Jewelry Store and the Bar.
4. The Toy store is of Main Street and Forest Street.
5. The Jewelry Store is the Italian Restaurant.


If you're in a new town or city and you want to know where a place or building is, these are
useful phrases to ask for (and get) directions.
How you can ask
Say "Excuse me" before you ask a person. To make it sound like a question, make your
voice go up on "me".
"Excuse me. How do I get to (the railway station) please?"
"Excuse me. Where's the nearest (post office) please?"
"Excuse me. I'm looking for the Number 6 bus stop."
Giving directions
The person who helps you often says how near or far the place is:
"It's about five minutes from here."
"It's about a ten-minute walk."
"It's easier if I can show you on the map"
Specific instructions
Here are some useful words and phrases for giving street instructions.
"Turn left / right."
"Go straight on at the lights / when you come to the crossroads." (Lights = traffic lights;
crossroads = where two roads cross)
"Go across the roundabout." (Roundabout = where all the cars go round a circle in the
middle of the road)
"Take the first turning / road / street on your left / right." (Turning = road that goes left or
right)
"You'll see / You'll come to a (bank). Then "
"Don't take the first road."
"Go on for about (2 minutes / 100 metres)."
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
Typical English conversation
"Excuse me. I'm looking for the post office."
"OK. Go straight on, then turn left at the crossroads. It's about 100 metres on your left.
You can't miss it!"
"Thanks!"
"You're welcome."
Here is some useful vocabulary for asking directions in English.
Asking for directions
"How do I get to your office?"
"Can you tell me the best way of getting to your office?"
"What's the quickest way of getting to your office?"
"Where are you exactly?"
Getting information
"Will you be coming by car or by train?"
"It's much easier if you take the train."
"Which hotel are you staying at?"
General information in English
"We're not far from" or "We're quite close to"
"It's about a mile / kilometre / two blocks from"
"We're opposite / next to / in front of / across the road from / round the corner from the
supermarket."
Giving directions in English
"Come off the motorway / highway at Junction / Exit 12."
"It's signposted 'Manchester'."
"Follow the signs to "
"There's a one-way system in the centre of town."
"Take the 'A12' to 'Chelmsford'."
"Go straight on / left / right at the lights / at the roundabout /at the junction of and "
"Go past the supermarket."
"You'll come to / see "
"It's the first turning on the right after the bank."
Use landmarks to help
"You'll see a large sign / roundabout."
"On your left you'll see an industrial centre / a hospital / the police station."
"Just after the level crossing / shopping centre (or mall)."
"Go past the petrol station / the garage."
Final tips
If you're giving directions over the phone, remember to speak slowly to allow the other
person to write things down.
Check that the other person has understood.
If you're speaking face-to-face with someone, use your hands to show left, right, or straight
on.
Use "please" when you ask someone to give you directions. It's polite, and will normally get
you what you want!