Some Useful Phrases For Asking for and Giving Directions
How do I get to …?
What's the best way to …?
Where is …?
Go straight on (until you come to …).
Turn back./Go back.
Turn left/right (into …-street).
Go along …
Cross …
Take the first/second road on the left/right
It's on the left/right.
straight [streɪt] on
opposite ['ɒpəzɪt]
near [nɪə]
next to
between [bɪ'twiːn]
at the end (of)
on/at the corner
behind [bɪ'hʌɪnd]
in front of
(just) around the corner
traffic lights
crossroads, junction [ʤʌŋ(k)ʃ(ə)n]
signpost ['sʌɪnpəʊst]
It is on the left
It is on the right
It is straight
on
at the end of Oxford street
on the corner of James road
at the end of Stanley Street
Behind the
Petrol station
in front of the Mall
just around the corner from here
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.
Where is the chemist?
Can you give me directions to
the nearest bus stop?
How do you get to the train
station?
Where can I find the nearest
bakery?
How do I get to park?
Is there a supermarket near
here?
Is there a sports shop around
here?
Can you tell me how to get to library from here?
What’s the best way to get to the computer store from here?
What’s the quickest way to get to the music store from
here?
What’s the easiest way to get to the nearest Mc
donalds from here?
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.
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
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Excuse me sir. Is there a bank around here?
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Yes, there is one right across the street next to
Library.
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Can you give me directions to the petrol station?
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Of course I will, just follow this roaduntil you come to
the main road. Turnright and then continue for about 100
metres. You will see the petrol stationon the left.
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Can you tell me how to get to the London bridge?
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Am sorry I cant help as am not from around here.
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Where’s the nearest bus station?
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It’s on the corner of Oxford Street and Mayfair Lane. Next to the train station.
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How do you get to the mall?
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You have to go straight along this road for about 200 metres. Turn right
when you see Apple street. carry on straight ahead till you
see a Tesco supermarket. The mall is opposite the
supermarket.
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Is there a bank near here?
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Yes, there is one in Orange Street. Orange Street is the third road on your right.
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Excuse me sir. Could you please tell me where I can find the nearestchemist?
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Yes, there is one next to the Bakery.Go back the way you came. Turnright after you go past
the bank and there is one on your left next to the hospital.
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