EXPRESSING OF
ASKING AND GIVING DIRECTION
English is practical and used as functional daily
activity in real life. Asking direction is one of the
expression which is very functional, especially for
“stranger” in a “strange” country
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.
Asking for direction
Excuse me...
I’m looking for..
How do I get to ... please?
Where's the nearest (post office) please?
Can you tell me the best way of getting to ... ?
What’s the quickest way of getting to ... ?
Where is ... exactly?
Giving direction
Turn left / right.
Go straight on the lights / when you come to the
crossroads.
Go across the roundabout. Take the first turning /
road / street on your left / 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
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.
crossroads = where two roads cross each other
tunnel = a road under (or through) mountains
turning = a road off to your left or right
Lights = traffic lights
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)
Roundabout = where all the cars go round a circle in
the middle of the road
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
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
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
o "Excuse me. I'm looking for the post office."
o "OK. Go straight on, then turn left at the
crossroads. It's about 100 metres on your left.
You can't miss it!"
o "Thanks!"
o "You're welcome."
Tips
If you’re giving directions, 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!