Do you know when you are on the street and need to ask for information on how to get somewhere? It is in this precise situation that you need to use prepositions of direction. Learn in today's lesson how to ask and give directions using prepositions of direction.

 

✅ How to Ask for Directions in English:

 

- “Excuse me, could you tell me where is  ... ?”

- “Excuse me, how do I get to …?”

- “Excuse me, where is  ... ?”

- “Excuse me, I’m looking for …”

 

✅ How to Give Directions in English:

 

- “The easiest/quickest/best way to get there is to…

- Go ... [ up, down, through ] ... street name”

- Take [ street name ] ”

- Turn [ right/left ] ”

- Stay on [ street name ] for [ distance/time ] ”

- “It’s on [ street name ] ”

- “It’s [ across from/opposite/near/around the corner from ] landmark”

 

✅ When you are giving directions that include various steps you can use the following transitions:

 

- After that...

- Then...

- Next...

- When you get to…

- Finally…

 

✅ You can offer an estimate of the distance:

 

- It’s about a five minute walk.

- It’s about a twenty minute bus ride.

- It’s just around the corner.

- It’s not far.

- It’s a bit of a way.

- It takes a while.

 

✅ You can tell the person what to look for:

 

- You will see a gas station on the right.

- You will pass a library.

- It’s across from the church.

 

 

✅ Directions with Prepositions

 

- The hospital is opposite/in front of the parking lot.

- The parking lot is between the café and the hospital.

- The gas station is on the corner.

- The café is behind the factory.

- The parking lot is next to the hospital.

- The parking ramp is near the shop.

- The gas station is far away from the café.

 

Let’s practice! Give directions from one location to another.

Example: “Could you please tell me how to get from the school to the hospital?”

Directions: Leave the school. Turn left on Main Street. Turn right on Elm Street. Take the first left on

Oxford Street. The hospital will be on your left.

 

1. “Could you please tell me how to get from the museum to the hospital?”

 

2. “Excuse me, how do I get from the school to the market?”

 

3. The taxi driver would like to know how to get to the museum. Give him directions:

 

Interested in more English language challenges? Follow our Instagram account @limlessons for daily quizzes and lessons. 

 

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