How to Ask and Give Directions Basics

How to Navigate: Asking and Giving Directions with Examples and Meanings

Introduction to Asking and Giving Directions with Examples and Meanings

Navigating new places can be a daunting task, especially if you are in a country where English is the primary language. Knowing how to ask for and give directions is an essential skill for any English learner. This lesson will provide you with the necessary vocabulary and phrases to confidently ask for and give directions, ensuring you can find your way and help others do the same.

In this lesson, you will learn the basic and more advanced phrases used when asking for and giving directions. You will understand how to politely ask for directions, how to interpret the responses you receive, and how to give clear and accurate directions to others. Each section includes examples and detailed meanings to help you fully grasp the concepts.

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Ask for directions using polite and effective phrases.
• Understand and follow directions given to you.
• Provide clear and precise directions to others.

Useful Vocabulary for Asking and Giving Directions

• Go straight: Continue in the same direction without turning.

  • Example: "Go straight ahead for two blocks."

• Turn right: Make a right turn.

  • Example: "Turn right at the next intersection."

• Turn left: Make a left turn.

  • Example: "Turn left when you reach the traffic lights."

• U-turn: Turn around and go back in the direction you came from.

  • Example: "Make a U-turn at the roundabout."

• Cross the crosswalk: Walk across the designated pedestrian crossing.

  • Example: "Cross the crosswalk and continue straight."

• Go past: Move beyond a certain point.

  • Example: "Go past the post office and you'll see the park on your right."

• Cross the road: Move from one side of the road to the other.

  • Example: "Cross the road at the zebra crossing."

1. Take the first right: Turn right at the first opportunity.
   • Example: "Take the first right after the traffic lights."
2. Take the second right: Turn right at the second opportunity.
   • Example: "Take the second right onto Elm Street."

• In the roundabout, take the first exit: At a roundabout, exit at the first opportunity.

  • Example: "In the roundabout, take the first exit onto Main Street."

• Cross the bridge: Go over the bridge to reach the other side.

  • Example: "Cross the bridge and then turn left."

Asking for directions or giving them in English

More Examples on Giving Directions

• Go straight on: Continue without turning.

  • Example: "Go straight on until you see the church."

• Turn left/right (into... street): Turn into a specific street.

  • Example: "Turn left into Maple Street."

• Go along/up/down street...: Move along a particular street.

  • Example: "Go along King Street for three blocks."

• Take the first/second road on the left/right: Turn onto a specific road.

  • Example: "Take the first road on the left after the bank."

• It's on the left/right: Indicating location.

  • Example: "The shop is on the left."

GIVING DIRECTIONS

• Opposite: Directly across from a point.

  • Example: "The library is opposite the school."

• Near: Close to a point.

  • Example: "The café is near the station."

• Next to: Immediately adjacent to a point.

  • Example: "The pharmacy is next to the supermarket."

• Between: In the middle of two points.

  • Example: "The restaurant is between the post office and the bank."

• At the end (of): At the farthest point.

  • Example: "The park is at the end of the street."

• On/at/around the corner: Located at a corner.

  • Example: "The bakery is on the corner of High Street and Elm Street."

• Behind: At the back of a point.

  • Example: "The garden is behind the house."

• In front of: Directly before a point.

  • Example: "The bus stop is in front of the library."

Giving Directions: Movement Phrases

• Until you come to: Continue until a specific point.

  • Example: "Go straight until you come to the traffic lights."

• For about 4 miles: Continue for a certain distance.

  • Example: "Drive for about 4 miles and then turn left."

• About 4 blocks: Distance measured in city blocks.

  • Example: "Walk about 4 blocks and you’ll see the museum."

Phrasal Verbs and Useful Phrases

• Go along this road: Move in the direction of the road.

  • Example: "Go along this road for half a mile."

• Go down there: Move in a downward direction.

  • Example: "Go down there and take the second left."

• Walk down: Move downward on foot.

  • Example: "Walk down the hill and you’ll find the café."

• Drive down this road: Move in a vehicle along a road.

  • Example: "Drive down this road until you reach the river."

• Follow: Continue in the direction indicated.

  • Example: "Follow this path until it splits."

More Phrasal Verbs and Useful Phrases

• Make a right: Turn right.

  • Example: "Make a right at the corner."

• Take a right: Another way to say turn right.

  • Example: "Take a right at the stop sign."

• Turn right: Standard phrase for right turn.

  • Example: "Turn right onto Oak Street."

• Hang a right: This is an informal way to say turn right.

  • Example: "Hang a right at the next junction."

• Make a left: Turn left.

  • Example: "Make a left at the traffic lights."

• Take a left: Another way to say turn left.

  • Example: "Take a left onto Elm Street."

• Turn left: Standard phrase for left turn.

  • Example: "Turn left at the end of the road."

• Hang a left: This is an informal way to say turn left.

  • Example: "Hang a left at the intersection."

Summary and Takeaways

To practice asking for and giving directions, try the following exercises on your own. Imagine you are in different scenarios, such as finding a café, a museum, or a bus stop. Practice asking for directions and then switch roles to practice giving directions using the phrases and vocabulary you've learned.

This lesson covered essential phrases and vocabulary for asking and giving directions. You now know how to ask for directions politely, understand responses, and give clear instructions. Key phrases include "go straight," "turn right," "cross the road," and many more.

To help remember these phrases, create flashcards with the phrases on one side and their meanings and examples on the other. Repeatedly practising with these flashcards will improve your recall.

Visualising the directions as you learn them can also make the phrases more memorable. Imagining yourself in the scenario can help reinforce the vocabulary.

Regular practice is crucial. The more you use these phrases, the more natural they will become. Don't hesitate to ask locals for directions or to offer help if someone asks you. Real-life practice is invaluable.

We hope you found this lesson useful. If you did, please share this platform with your friends and fellow learners. For more lessons and tips, visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/learningenglishfree.co.uk. You can also contact us through our Facebook page for any questions or further assistance.

Let us start with the basics

Now you are ready to move on and earn these basic commands. When you are travelling to English-speaking countries you will at some point need to ask for directions or even give them here are 10 basic ways to ask for directions and simple ways to answer them.

Ask: "Where is the nearest subway station?"
Answer: "It's two blocks straight ahead, then take a left."

Ask: "How do I get to the city centre from here?"
Answer: "Take the number 5 bus and get off at Central Square."

Ask: "Can you tell me the way to the airport?"
Answer: "Sure, the best way is to take the express train from the main station."

Ask: "I'm looking for the museum. Is it far?"
Answer: "Not at all. It's a ten-minute walk down this street, on the right side."

Ask: "Excuse me, is there a pharmacy nearby?"

Answer: "Yes, there's one at the corner of this street. Just a five-minute walk from here."

Ask: "Could you point me towards the nearest hotel?"
Answer: "The nearest hotel is the Grand Inn, just three blocks down this road, on the left."

Ask: "How can I find the post office?"
Answer: "Go straight down this avenue, and it's right next to the city park."

Ask: "Where can I catch the ferry?"
Answer: "Walk all the way down to the waterfront, and you'll see the ferry terminal."

Ask: "Can you show me on the map where we are?"
Answer: "Certainly, we are right here, where the 'You Are Here' arrow is pointing."

Ask: "Which street should I take to go to the cathedral?"
Answer: "Take Maple Street here, it will lead you directly to the cathedral entrance."

These are straightforward ways to ask for and give directions that are typically easy for both travellers and locals to understand and use.

What if I can't give directions?

10 ways you can tell someone you don't know how to give directions for what they are asking

1. "I'm sorry, I don’t know where that is. I’m not from around here."
2. "I wish I could help, but I'm actually lost myself."
3. "I'm not sure, I haven't been to that place. Maybe ask someone else?"
4. "Sorry, I don’t know the directions to that place. Have you tried using a map app?"
5. "Unfortunately, I’m new to this area and still figuring it out too."
6. "I don’t know, but there’s a tourist information centre nearby that can help you."
7. "Hmm, I’m not familiar with that location. Maybe the shopkeeper over there knows."
8. "I'm sorry, I've never heard of that place. You might want to check with a local."
9. "I don’t know the directions to there. Perhaps someone inside that café can help."
10. "I’m not really good with directions. It might be better to ask a taxi driver or use GPS."

Using these responses is polite and honest, and they often include a suggestion for how the person can find the help they need.

10 reasons you might need to ask for and give directions for several reasons as follows

1. If you're travelling or visiting a new place and you need to find your way to a specific location, like a hotel or a landmark.
2. If you're driving or using public transportation and need to reach a destination you're not familiar with.
3. When you’re walking around a city and you want to find a restaurant, a shop, a park, or any other place of interest.
4. If you're running an errand and need to find a facility like a post office, bank, or grocery store.
5. In case you get lost and need to find your way back to a familiar spot or to get back on track.
6. If someone asks you for help because they’re lost or unsure of where something is,  and you know the area.
7. When you need to meet someone you have to explain to them how to get to the meeting point.
8. If there's an emergency and you need to reach a hospital, or police station, or get to safety quickly.
9. When the usual route is blocked or closed, you might need to ask for an alternative way to reach your destination.
10. For convenience and time-saving, especially if you’re in a hurry or you want to take the shortest or fastest route.

Knowing how to ask for and give directions can make travelling smoother and help in connecting with locals or assisting others.

Conversation between 2 people asking for directions 

Person 1: "Excuse me, can you help me? I'm trying to find the post office."

Person 2: "Sure, I can help. Go straight down this road until you see a traffic light. Then, turn left."

Person 1: "So, I walk straight and turn left at the traffic light?"

Person 2: "Yes, that's right. The post office is on your right, just after the supermarket."

Person 1: "Is it far from here?"

Person 2: "No, it's not far. Maybe a 5-minute walk."

Person 1: "Thank you so much for your help!"

Person 2: "You're welcome. Have a good day!"

This conversation uses simple language and clear instructions, making it easy for someone learning English to understand and follow.