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Prepositions Vs Directions

The document provides guidance on asking for and giving directions in English including common vocabulary, phrases and examples. It discusses important words for directions, example questions and statements for asking directions, and phrases for providing directions to others.

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karpuzi001
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134 views

Prepositions Vs Directions

The document provides guidance on asking for and giving directions in English including common vocabulary, phrases and examples. It discusses important words for directions, example questions and statements for asking directions, and phrases for providing directions to others.

Uploaded by

karpuzi001
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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When you’re in a country you don’t know, you can easily get lost at some

point during the trip, even if you have a map. So it’s really useful to know how
to ask for and understand directions in English so you can reach your
destination. It’s also great to be able to give directions yourself to tourists or
foreign colleagues.

So what words and phrases can help you give and ask for directions? Read on
to find out!

First of all, you need to know some basic vocabulary. The most important
words and phrases are:

It’s also helpful to know some common places people visit in a city, such as
the following:
Here are some examples:

 Go along the street until you reach the traffic lights.


 You’ll see a bank on the left.
 It’s about two blocks from here.
 I prefer going to the airport on the highway because it’s faster.

For example,

 My office building is in front of the mall.


 Go straight on for about one kilometre.
 The cinema is next to the bank.

Asking for directions

When you ask for directions, remember above all to be polite. So start by
saying one of the following phrases:

 Hello. Can you help me, please?


 Good morning. May I ask for some help?
 Excuse me, could you help?
Once you have someone’s attention, you can ask for help to reach your
destination. You can do that by using one of these phrases:

 Could you tell me how to get to the bank?


 Do you know where the museum is?
 We can’t find the subway station. Is it near here?
 Where can we find a park near here?
If you’re not sure you’re going in the right direction, you can make sure by
asking:

 Are we on the right road to the city center?


 Is this the right way to the mall?
 What’s the best way to get to the airport?
Giving directions

Here are some common phrases you can use:

 Go past the cinema. (Pass the cinema.)


 Go along this road.
 Go straight on/ahead. (Stay on this road – don’t turn.)
 Go through the tunnel.
 At the roundabout, take the first exit.
 Turn left at the crossroads.
 Take the second right.
 It’s on your left.
 You’ll see it in front of you.
 It’s on the other side of the road.
 You’re going the wrong way.

1. How do I get to the police station?


2. What’s the best way to get to the supermarket?
3. Where is the church?
4. Could you tell me where the shoe store is?
5. Do you know where the post office is?
6. Where can I find the nearest bakery?
7. Is there a shop around here?
What You Need to Give Directions in English

You don’t need to study a lot of words and structures to be able to


give directions in English.
To learn how to ask for and give directions in English, you need to be
familiar with:
 Prepositions of place
 Wh-Questions
 Simple Present
Prepositions of Place

To give directions in English you need to know the most


common prepositions of place.
These are the ten most common prepositions to give directions in
English
Next to In front of

Across from Near

Inside By

Behind Between

On Beside

How to Ask for Directions in English


These are some common expressions to ask for directions in English
in a city.

1. How do I get to the police station?


2. What’s the best way to get to the supermarket?
3. Where is the church?
4. Could you tell me where the shoe store is?
5. Do you know where the post office is?
6. Where can I find the nearest bakery?
7. Is there a shop around here?
You can also ask for directions without making a question, a phrase
commonly used is:
I am looking for the supermarket…
I am looking for the pharmacy…

How to Give Directions in English


This is a list of common phrases to give directions in English

Go straight on Turn back

It is this way It is that way

Go under the bridge Go over the bridge

Go back Turn left

Turn Right Go along

Cross Take the first road on the right

Opposite Take the second road on the left

At the end Just around the corner


 The easiest way is to…The quickest way is…The best way is to..
These are some examples of sentences used when giving directions
in English

1. The bank is on the main street.


2. The hospital is around the corner.
3. Go north for two blocks.
4. The Supermarket is on the main avenue.
5. Walk straight for two miles.
6. Drive for three kilometres
7. The school is between the park and the bank
8. Cross the street
9. Get to the supermarket
10. The hotel is in front of the school
11. The best way is to turn right on Main Street.
These are examples of giving directions in English, these sentences
are a bit longer than the previous one.

A. Go straight on. Then take the first left onto Green Street. Walk past
the library and it’s the building next to the library on the left.

B. Go straight on. Go past the traffic lights. You will see a shop on the
right. Go past that and it’s on the right next to the shop.

C. Go straight on. Go past the traffic lights and go straight on until


you get to the roundabout. At the roundabout turn left. Go past the
theatre. It’s the building next to the theatre, opposite the hospital.

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