When did you last have to ask for directions in English? Or explain how to get somewhere quickly and clearly?
In this lesson, you’ll learn some common ways to:
- Ask for directions politely and clearly
- Give simple and accurate directions
- Use landmarks and common expressions to guide someone
Let’s start with a natural English conversation about directions. Then we’ll break it down and learn the key expressions.
Contents
Asking for and giving directions: example dialogue
In this short conversation, two friends are asking for – and giving directions.
Ben is asking Jim for the quickest way to get to the station from where he is. Jim gives clear directions using landmarks and simple phrases.
Listen
Listen to the dialogue and answer the questions that follow. Then review the phrase breakdown.
Dialogue transcript
Read the full conversation below. The dialogue demonstrates common English phrases you can use to ask for or give directions.
Ben: …so how do I get to the station, then? I’m mean, what’s the quickest way to get there from here?
Jim: OK, so where are you now?
Ben: Bingbury.
Jim: Whereabouts in Bingbury?
Ben: In Bonce Street.
Jim: Ok, you know the church?
Ben: Yeah.
Jim: Well, there’s a crossroads right next to it. Just keep driving down the road till you see the church. Then turn right.
Ben: OK, down Bonce street to the church, then right, yeah?
Jim: You got it. Then keep going until you get to a roundabout, then go straight on.
Ben: OK, straight over the roundabout. All clear so far. Then what?
Jim: OK, keep going till you see another roundabout, then turn left and go up the hill. The station’s straight ahead. You can’t miss it!
Ben: Great. On my way. With you in a mo, yeah?
Phrase guide: asking for and giving directions
Here’s a breakdown of the phrases from the dialogue.
Asking for directions
These phrases are used to ask where something is or how to get there.
- How do I get to the station?
- What’s the quickest way to get there from here?
- Where are you now?
- Whereabouts in Bingbury?
You can also say:
- Can you tell me where the station is, please?
- Do you know where the station is?
- Have you any idea where the station is?
- Do you know if there’s a station near here?
Using landmarks to give directions
These phrases use familiar places to help the listener understand.
- You know the church?
- There’s a crossroads right next to it.
You can also say:
- You know the pub on the corner?
- There’s a supermarket next to it.
- It’s opposite the school.
Giving step-by-step instructions
These phrases guide someone along a route clearly.
- Keep driving down the road till you see the church.
- Then turn right.
- Keep going until you get to a roundabout.
- Go straight on.
- Turn left and go up the hill.
- The station’s straight ahead.
- You can’t miss it!
You can also say:
- Follow the road round.
- Take the second left.
- Go past the supermarket.
It’s your turn!
- What can you say if you don’t know where a place is?
- How could you explain a route using landmarks?
- What phrase can you use if the location is very easy to see?
More useful phrases to talk about directions
These are extra phrases that are not in the dialogue, but are commonly used when asking for or giving directions in English.
Extra expressions
| Phrase | Plain English |
|---|---|
| Whereabouts in London do you live? | Where exactly in London? |
| Can you tell me where the library is? | Where is the library? |
| Do you know if there’s a bus stop near here? | Is there a bus stop nearby? |
| Take the second turning on the left. | Go left at the second road. |
| It’s on your right. | You’ll see it to the right of you. |
Pattern focus: polite question forms
When we ask for directions in English, we often use indirect question forms.
These forms are more polite and sound friendlier than direct questions.
Instead of just saying “Where is the station?”, we often say:
- Can you tell me where the station is?
- Do you know where the station is?
- Have you any idea where the station is?
Notice that “is” comes at the end of the question.
We make indirect questions like these with a polite question phrase (e.g. “Can you tell me..”) followed by a statement:
Can you tell me + where the station is? (NOT: “Can you tell me where is the station?)
This polite form is common in everyday English, especially when asking strangers or being extra polite.
Try it yourself!
Make your own indirect questions about directions:
- Can you tell me..
- Do you know..
- Have you any idea..
Exercises
Practise what you’ve learned with these simple activities.
1. Match the phrase to its meaning
- Whereabouts are you?
- Keep going until you see the station.
- Go straight on.
- Turn right at the crossroads.
- You can’t miss it!
a. You’ll see it easily.
b. Where exactly are you?
c. Continue forward.
d. Continue until the station appears.
e. Make a right turn where roads cross.
2. Match the phrases to a likely response
- A: How do I get to the library?
- A: Do you know if there’s a café nearby?
- A: Whereabouts in town are you?
a. Yeah – there’s one just around the corner.
b. I’m on North Street.
c. Go straight down this road, then turn left.
3. Finish the sentence (speaking practice)
Complete the sentence, then try saying it aloud.
- Go past the..
- Turn left at the..
- It’s right next to..
Answer key
1. Match the phrase to its meaning
- Whereabouts are you? → b. Where exactly are you?
- Keep going until you see the station. → d. Continue until the station appears.
- Go straight on. → c. Continue forward.
- Turn right at the crossroads. → e. Make a right turn where roads cross.
- You can’t miss it! → a. You’ll see it easily.
2. Match the phrases to a likely response
- A: How do I get to the library? → c. Go straight down this road, then turn left.
- A: Do you know if there’s a café nearby? → a. Yeah – there’s one just around the corner.
- A: Whereabouts in town are you? → b. I’m on North Street.
3. Finish the sentence (possible examples)
- Go past the supermarket.
- Turn left at the roundabout.
- It’s right next to the church.
