A2 Vocabulary — Giving directions
Useful verbs and prepositions to explain how to get somewhere and where things are in a town or city.
A2 Pre-intermediate
Travel & city
Giving directions
1. Moving along a street
These verbs describe how we move from one place to another.
- go past / pass = go by a place and continue. Go past the supermarket and keep going straight.
- go along = follow a street in one direction. Go along King Street for two blocks.
- go up / go down = move in one or the other direction on the same street. Go down Hill Road until you see the park.
- go straight on / ahead = continue without turning. Go straight ahead to the traffic lights.
2. Staying on the road
- stay on = do not turn; continue on the same road. Stay on this road until you reach the bridge.
- go through = enter and come out the other side (a tunnel, gate, etc.). Go through the tunnel and then turn left.
- go for … blocks = continue for a number of city blocks. Go for three blocks and you’ll see the station.
- go / walk across = move from one side to the other (a bridge, road). Walk across the bridge and the café is on your right.
3. Turning and reaching
- turn left, turn right = change direction. Turn left at the next corner.
- take the first / second right / left = turn at the first or second street. Take the second right after the bank.
- go to the end of the street = continue until the street finishes. Go to the end of the street and you’ll see the library.
- turn around = change direction 180°, go back the way you came. We missed the exit; we need to turn around.
4. On a motorway / highway
- merge onto = join a bigger road or motorway. Merge onto the motorway and stay in the right lane.
- exit at … = leave the motorway at a specific number. Exit at junction 12 and follow the signs to the city centre.
- Combine with time phrases: Stay on the motorway for 10 km, then exit at 5.
5. Prepositions of location
We use these prepositions to say where a place is.
| Preposition | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| at | a specific point | The taxi is at the traffic lights. |
| near | close, but not next to | The pharmacy is near the station. |
| opposite / across from | on the other side of the street | The bank is opposite the supermarket. |
| between | in the middle of two places | The café is between the bookshop and the cinema. |
| next to | immediately beside | The bakery is next to the post office. |
| on the corner of | at the meeting point of two streets | The hotel is on the corner of King Street and Park Road. |
| on your right / left | on one side of you | The museum will be on your left. |
6. Asking for directions
Common polite questions:
- How can I get to …? How can I get to the station?
- Where’s the nearest …? Where’s the nearest petrol station?
- Is there a … near here? Is there a bank near here?
- Could you tell me how to get to …? Could you tell me how to get to the post office?
7. Tips for clear directions
- Combine a movement verb with a time / distance: Go straight on for five minutes.
- Add a landmark to make it easier: Turn right after the petrol station.
- Use then, after that, finally to organise steps.
Exercises:
Giving directions & locations
Choose the correct option to complete each sentence below.
1
____ the supermarket and the bank; they are both on your left.
Correct: Go past the supermarket and the bank.
2
When you see the traffic lights, just ____ them and then keep driving.
Correct: Pass the traffic lights = go by them and continue.
3
____ this street until you see a big church on the right.
Correct: Go along this street = follow it in the same direction.
4
To reach the castle on the hill, ____ the road to the top.
Correct: Go up the road = move towards the top.
5
From the castle, ____ the road to the river at the bottom.
Correct: Go down the road = move towards the bottom.
6
At the roundabout, don’t turn; just ____ for about 500 metres.
Correct: Just go straight on = continue in the same direction.
7
When you come out of the station, ____ and you’ll see the park in front of you.
Correct: Go straight ahead = walk forward without turning.
8
____ Winston Street and the cinema will be on your left.
Correct: Go straight along Winston Street = follow that street in a straight line.
9
____ this road; don’t turn until you see the hospital.
Correct: Stay on this road = continue on the same road.
10
____ the tunnel and then turn right at the first traffic lights.
Correct: Go through the tunnel = travel inside it from one side to the other.
11
Go straight and then ____; the bank is on the corner.
Correct: Go for two blocks — pattern: go for … blocks (go for three blocks, four blocks, etc.).
12
____ the bridge and then you will see the museum on your right.
Correct: Go across the bridge = travel from one side to the other.
13
You can ____ the bridge in five minutes; it’s only for people, not cars.
Correct: Walk across the bridge = cross it on foot.
14
____ at the traffic lights and the school is on your left.
Correct: Turn left at the traffic lights.
15
Go past the park and then ____ at the corner.
Correct: Then turn right at the corner.
16
Go straight ahead and ____ into King Street.
Correct: Take the first right into King Street.
17
There are two small streets on the right. Don’t turn at the first; ____ into the second.
Correct: Take the second right = turn into the second street on the right.
18
Leave the car park and ____ into Green Street.
Correct: Then take the first left into Green Street.
19
Go along this road. There are two small streets on the left; don’t turn at the first — ____ into the second.
Correct: Take the second left into the second side street.
20
____ and you’ll see a church in front of you.
Correct: Go to the end of the street = walk all the way to the end.
21
____ the bank, then turn left into Lake Road.
Correct:
Stay on this street until you get to the bank — pattern: stay on … until you get to …
22
How can I ____ the museum from here?
Correct:
How can I get to the museum? = How can I arrive at the museum?
23
After about ten minutes you will ____ a big square with a fountain in the middle.
Correct:
You will come to a big square = you will arrive at it on your route.
24
Drive for 50 kilometres to ____ the next town.
Correct:
Reach the next town = finally arrive there.
25
After the petrol station, ____ the motorway and continue for 20 kilometres.
Correct:
Merge onto the motorway = move from your road into the motorway traffic.
26
____ the highway at Junction 7 and follow the signs for the airport.
Correct:
Exit the highway at Junction 7 = leave the highway there.
27
If you miss the hotel, ____ and go back to the last traffic lights.
Correct:
Turn around = make a 180° turn and go back.
Giving directions & locations
Match the sentences with the words
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