Dialogue in English on how to get anywhere. We ask and show you the way
Let's continue the theme of the previous lesson and talk about how to ask for directions in an unfamiliar place, as well as how to show someone the way. To get started, check out the useful phrases from the lesson.
Words and expressions on the topic (listen)
cross/ go across the street – to cross, go over
go past - pass by
go along – go along
go straight ahead - go straight ahead
go back – go back, return
go down/up the street – go down/up the street
to the right/left - right/left
on your right/left – to your right/left
turn - turn, turn
take the first turn to the right (to the left) - the first turn to the right (left)
round the corner - around the corner
at/on the corner – on the corner
close to – close to
I’m lost./I lost my way. - I'm lost.
How do I get to…? - How do I get to…?
How far is it? - How far is it?
How far is it to…? - How far is it to…?
Is this the right way to...? - Is this the right road to...?
What's the best way to...? — What is the best way to get to...?
How long will it take to get there? - How long does it take to get there?
It's five minutes walk from here. - It's a 5-minute walk from us.
It's too far to walk. - Going too far.
It’s quite a way from here. - It's quite far from here.
It's quite near. - It's pretty close.
It's not far from here. - It's not far from here.
It's two blocks from here. - It's two blocks from here.
Do not forget about etiquette and phrases such as “excuse me” when you want to attract attention, as well as words of gratitude and requests: “thanks” and “please”. The more polite you sound, the better! For example: Excuse me, can you show me the way to the city center, please?
Using new words in speech. Dialogues
Read some dialogues. To make your work with the lesson material fruitful, you can try to reproduce these dialogues from memory or create similar ones based on their example, using the names of the streets of your city.
Dialogue 1.
—Excuse me?
- Yes?
- I'm lost! Is this the way to City Square?
- No, I’m afraid it isn’t. You're going the wrong way.
- Oh, dear. Can you tell me the way to City Square?
- Yes. Go straight along this street and then take the first turn left. You will see a sign to City Square.
- Thank you!
- Sorry?
- Yes?
- I'm lost. Is this the road to City Square?
- I'm afraid not. You are going the wrong way.
- Oh, God. Can you tell me the way to City Square?
- Yes. Walk straight along this street and turn left. You will see a sign for City Square.
- Thank you!
Dialogue 2.
— I need to get to Washington Avenue. Can I get there by bus?
- Yes, you can take any bus, but you’d better walk. It's quite near.
— How long will it take to get there?
— It’s 5 minutes walk from here. Go down this street and then take the first turn to the left.
- Thanks a lot!
“I need to get to Washington Avenue.” Can I go by bus?
— Yes, you can take any bus, but it’s better to walk. It's pretty close.
— How long does it take to get there?
- Five minutes on foot. Walk down the street and then take the first left.
- Thank you!
As you can see, all conversations on the street with directions and questions about the road should be as informative, understandable and, of course, polite as possible.
Lesson assignments
Task 1. Translate into English.
- I'm afraid we're lost and won't be able to find our way.
- How to get to York Village?
- Excuse me, how do you get to the Mayflower Hotel? — Walk two blocks, cross the street, you will see a hotel on your right.
- Where are you? — On the corner of Maple Street and Taylor Avenue.
- Is this the correct route to Duke Street? - Yes, it's a ten-minute walk.
- Go up the street and turn right at the second intersection.
- The pharmacy is just around the corner.
- How far is it to Red Square?
Asking for directions
Excuse me. Sorry to bother you but I’m afraid I got lost. I'm looking for the Opera House. How do I get there?
I know this area quite well. So you have to go down the road that way and when you see the Napoleon monument you should turn left and follow the stone path.
Right. Is there a sign near the Theatre?
No, sorry. But I am sure you won’t miss it. It’s a beautiful marble building with columns. It’s next to the Art gallery, just opposite the fountains. If you need a box-office there you should take a lift to the basement level, then pass the cloakroom and walk straight down the aisle until you see the notice.
That seems quite far. Ok then. Thanks a lot. You've been really helpful. By the way is there a beach close to the Theatre? Could you tell me the way, please?
Actually it’s about 2 miles from the Opera House. You could catch a bus and the third stop will be yours.
I would rather go on foot. I enjoy walking and admiring the city architecture.
I see. Then you should go around the corner on your left, walk along King’s Road, cross the bridge and then take the second right at the traffic lights. You’ll see the exit to the beach in about half a mile.
OK. Thanks again. Hopefully I won't get lost again.
Have fun at the beach!
Sorry. I'm sorry to bother you, but I'm afraid I'm lost. I'm looking for the Opera House. How do I get there?
I know this area quite well. You need to follow the road over there, and when you see the Napoleon monument, you should turn left and follow the stone path.
Fine. Is there a sign near the theater?
No. Sorry. But I'm sure you won't miss it. This is a beautiful marble building with columns. It is located next to the Art Gallery, directly opposite the fountains. If you need the ticket office, you should take the elevator down to the ground floor, then pass the cloakroom and go straight down the hallway until you see the sign.
It seems quite far away. Fine. Thank you very much. You helped me a lot. By the way, is there a beach near the theater? Could you tell me the way?
Actually, it's about 2 miles from the Opera House. You could take the bus and the third stop would be yours.
I'd rather walk. I like to walk and enjoy city architecture.
It's clear. Then you need to turn the corner on the left, walk along King's Road, cross the bridge and then take the second right at the traffic lights. You'll see the beach access after about a half mile.
OK. Thanks again. I hope I don't get lost again.
I hope you have fun on the beach!
Dialogue "How to get to the theater?" (Asking for Directions) - 4.7 out of 5 based on 15 votes
On the eve of the World Cup, football fans from all over the world come to Moscow. Our capital is a big city, and it’s easy to get lost in it. How can we help a foreigner if he asks us how to get to the library? And what should we do if we ourselves find ourselves in the role of a foreigner, when in Paris, Venice or Berlin we need to find a specific place?
Today's article is about how to ask and give directions in English. So let's begin.
1. How to ask for directions?
First, we attract the attention of a passerby using the phrase:
This is the same as the Russian "sorry" - a very polite way to ask a question to a stranger on the street.
Clarifying questions that may arise during the explanations:
Is it far?
Is it a long way?
How far is it?
How far is it?
How far is it?
2.1. How to explain the way?
But what should you do if you yourself explain to a foreigner how to get somewhere? Let's look at the words and expressions needed for this.
You can start your explanation with one of the following phrases:
You need to...
Do you need...
You have to...
You will have...
The quickest way is to go...
Most fast way- this is to go...
To indicate the direction of movement, use the following words:
a) go...("go")
- ...right"to the right, to the right"
- ...left"left, left"
- ...straight ahead"directly"
- ...down the street"down the street"
- ...up the street"up the street"
- ...along the street"along the street, along the street"
b) take("take, go, use, go along")
Use take with street names or transport:
Take the bus number 1.
Take bus number 1.
Take the Arbatskaya street.
Go By Arbatskaya street.
Can be used with transport " to" to indicate the destination of the path:
Take the metro to Borovitskaya station.
Drive by metro to Borovitskaya station.
Take the red line to Sportivnaya station.
Drive on the red line to Sportivnaya station.
Take the bus to the Arbatskaya street.
Drive by bus along Arbatskaya street.
c) turn... ("turn")
- ...right"right"
- ...left"left"
Turn right when you see a big sign.
Turn right when you see the big sign.
You need to turn left at the corner.
You need to turn left at the corner.
d) stop + at("to stop before something")
Stop at the traffic lights.
Stop at the traffic light.
Stop at the cafe and go into the alley.
Stop near the cafe and go into the alley.
e) pass ___("to pass by")
On your way you will pass a church.
On the way you will pass by a church.
Pass a supermarket and turn right after it.
Walk past the supermarket and turn right after it.
f) cross the road("cross the road")
You need to cross the road and turn right.
You need to cross the road and turn right.
Cross two roads and turn left.
Cross the two roads and turn left.
2.2. How to divide the proposal?
If your instructions take a long time, you will need special words with which you can connect the commands:
Words that can be used to connect instructions:
| Word |
Translation | Examples |
|
after that [ˈɑːftə ðæt ] |
after that |
Cross the road, after that go straight ahead. Go right after that you"ll see a big monument... |
|
[ðɛn] |
Go straight ahead, then turn right. You"ll pass a monument, then a cafe. |
|
|
|
Go along the Arbatskaya street next turn right. Go to the bus stop. Next you need to take the bus number 3. |
|
|
when you get to...
|
when you get to... |
When you get to the crossroads, go left. When you get to the bus stop, wait for the bus number 57. |
|
when you see...
|
when you see... |
When you see a big "M" sign, go straight ahead. When you see a metro entrance, just cross the road. |
|
[ˈfaɪnəli] |
Finally turn right and you"ll see a bus stop. Finally you"ll see a metro entrance. This is where you need to go. |
2.3. How to end the explanation?
All our explanations must lead to the fact that at the end of the path a person will find exactly the place he is looking for. As a final phrase you can use, for example:
2.4. How to name urban objects in English?
In this table I have collected the main words denoting typical urban objects. You can use them as guidelines in your explanations.
| Word |
Pronunciation | Translation |
|
building |
[ˈbɪldɪŋ] |
Building, structure. Any city building. |
| bus stop |
|
Bus stop. |
| church |
[ʧɜːʧ] |
Church. |
| corner |
[ˈkɔːnə] |
Corner. |
|
crossing (zebra crossing) |
[ˈkrɒsɪŋ] [ˈziːbrə ˈkrɒsɪŋ] |
Pedestrian crossing, zebra crossing. |
| crossroads |
[ˈkrɒsˌrəʊdz] |
Crossroads where roads converge. |
| metro entrance | [ˈmɛtrəʊ ˈɛntrəns] [m`metrow`entrance] |
Subway entrance. |
| monument | [ˈmɒnjʊmənt] [m`monument] |
Monument. |
| road | [r`oud] |
Road (driving). |
| sign | [sign] |
Sign, signboard. |
| square | [sku'ea] |
Square. |
| street | [straight] |
Street. |
| traffic lights | [ˈtræfɪk laɪts] [tr'efik lights] |
Traffic light. |
3. What to do if you don’t know the road yourself or it’s difficult to explain?
It also happens that a foreigner takes us by surprise in an unfamiliar part of the city. In this case, you should politely apologize:
You could ask the policeman/the bus driver/...
You can ask the policeman/bus driver/...
Follow me. I'll show you the way.
Follow me. I'll show you the way.
I can draw you a map. Do you have any paper?
I can draw you a map. Do you have paper?
I can show it on my navigator. Just a moment...
I can show you on the navigator. Wait a minute...
I hope you found this article helpful and helped you understand how to give and receive instructions when traveling around town. Enjoy your travels and don’t be afraid to communicate with foreigners on the streets of Moscow!
It is often necessary to ask in English how to get to a place or where an object is located. In the article we looked at where all kinds of objects are located and what prepositions should be used to describe their location.
This article provides examples of questions and answers used to indicate direction ( directions ). These expressions will help you find your way in an unfamiliar city. They will also help if you use e.g. Google maps. At the end of the article there is an example of how to get from the Tate Modern Gallery ( Tate Modern ) to St. Paul's Cathedral ( Saint Paul Cathedral ) in London.
Options for questions on how to get there | Options for answering questions |
| Excuse me! I’m looking for the nearest ATM. (Sorry, I'm looking for the nearest ATM.) | Go to the corner and turn on Pushkin street. (Go to this corner and turn onto Pushkin Street.) |
| How do I get to the toilet? (How do I get to the toilet?) | It's around the corner from the bank. (It's a stone's throw from the bank.) |
| What’s the best / easiest / quickest way to Victoria station? (What is the best/easiest/fastest way to get to Victoria Station?) | The best way is to go right on Great Peter Street. (It is best to go straight to Peter the Great Street.) |
| Where can I find the Denmark Hill station? (Where can I find Denmark Hill station?) | Take the second turn on the right. (Take the second right.) |
| Where is the night club? (Where's the nightclub?) | Walk across the street. (Go across the street.) Take Medway Street. (Go down Medway Street.) |
| How far is the nearest book shop from here? (How far is the nearest bookstore?) | I'm afraid, I have no idea. - I'm afraid I don't know. |
| Is there a supermarket around here? (Is there a supermarket nearby?) | You're going in the wrong direction. Turn back on Victoria Street. (You're going in the wrong direction. Go back to Victoria Street.) |
| Can you tell me where the nearest bus stop is? (Can you tell me where the nearest bus stop is?) | Follow Birdcage Walk for 100 meters. (Follow Bedcage Walk 100 meters.) |
| Do you know where the drugstore is? (Do you know where the pharmacy is?) | Go (straight) along Old Pye Street until you get the school. (Walk along Old Pie Street until you reach the school.) The drugstore is opposite the school. (Pharmacy opposite the school) |
| Could you tell me how to get to Trafalgar Square? (Could you tell me how to get to Trafalgar Square?) | Take the third street on the left. (Take the third street on the left.) |
| Is this the right way to Piccadilly Circus? (Is this the right road to Piccadilly Circus?) | Keep going for another 100 meters. It’ll be straight ahead of you. (Keep walking another 100 meters. It will be ahead of you.) |
| How far is the Ruskin park? (How far is Ruskin Park?) | It’s a half mile from here, next to the hospital. (It's half a mile away, next to the hospital.) |
| Can you show me on the map, where Victoria Station is? (Could you show me on a map where Victoria Station is?) | Of course. You are here. And Victoria Station is right here. (Of course. You are here. And Victoria station is here.) |
| What bus should I take? (Which bus should I take?) | Take the bus 406. (Take the 406 bus.) |
Example: How to get from Tate Modern to St Paul's Cathedral in London
Google built a path for us and gave us a clear explanation, however, we will present it in a more interesting way conversational style, using transitional words and phrases for linking ( transition words and phrases ).
After leaving the Tate Modern, go right towardMillennium Bridge. This is a pedestrian bridge through which you pass over the Thames. Then you get to Peter's Hill. Saint Paul Cathedral is already visible ahead. Continue walking along Peter's Hill. Cross the Queen Victoria street. There is a traffic light at the crossroads. You have to press the button and wait for the green light. Then continue to move forward. Just on your left you will see the National Firefighters Memorial. Continue going straight ahead and finally you get St. Paul's Churchyard. The whole way is about 1 kilometer.
When you leave the Tate Gallery, walk straight towards the Millennium Bridge. This is a footbridge that takes you over the Thames. You will then come to Peter Hill. St. Paul's Cathedral is already visible ahead. Continue along Peter Hill. Cross Queen Victoria Street. There is a traffic light at the intersection. You have to press the button and wait for the green light. Then continue forward. You'll see the National Firefighters Memorial on your left. Continue forward and you will finally come to the courtyard of St. Paul's Cathedral. The entire path is about 1 kilometer.
Hello, dear listeners and readers! We continue slowly. But it’s true to master the series of audio lessons “That’s what they say in America,” and along with the course, the spoken English of ordinary Americans. During today's lesson, you will learn ask directions and also explain directions, how to get or get to the place you or someone else needs in American English. Ask for directions and give directions in English
In a foreign city, it is sometimes very difficult to find a certain street or building, but, as they say, language will take you to Kyiv, and in our case, to Washington. Do not hesitate to ask passers-by how to get to or get to the place you need, and do not refuse to help other foreigners if they ask you for directions. And in order to be able to ask or explain correctly, today you will learn a lot of new and useful vocabulary in English.
As always, we start with Martin Lerner talking to other characters. This time our good friend, Voice of America reporter Martin, walks the American streets and, asking questions, tries to figure out how to get to the Museum fine arts, asking directions from several passers-by. Let's find out what the strangers answer him, and whether he managed to find out how to get to the museum:
Martin: Excuse me, where is Art Museum? - I'm sorry, where is it?
Male 1: Sorry. I don't know. - Sorry. I don't know.
Martin: Where is the Museum? — Could you tell me where the Museum of Fine Arts is?
Female 1: Go straight ahead. - Go straight ahead.
Martin: Excuse me, where is the Art Museum? — Excuse me, can you tell me where the Museum of Fine Arts is?
Female 2: It's on the river. It's on the Jefferson Street. — It is located on the river bank. It is located on Jefferson Street.
As you can see, it is easier for women to make contact, unlike men. And with the help of two strangers, Martin managed to find out where the place he needed was located.
Remember also the online lesson Finding out who is doing what
Use the audio recording of the lesson to hear how ordinary Americans pronounce the dialogue and hear other words and phrases in English. Pay attention to the intonation with which Lerner asks passers-by for directions: /wp-content/uploads/2014/09/russian_english_006.mp3
When listening to how Americans pronounce words, repeat all the expressions after them to practice your own pronunciation. Follow A. Fillipova's instructions to master the lesson step by step.
Asking for directions in English
Using a convenient table with phrases in English and translation into Russian, today you will learn new expressions, question words, as well as some grammatical categories of words: verbs, nouns, pronouns, adverbs, prepositions.
|
Ask and explain |
|
| Phrases | |
| I'm sorry | Sorry. I'm sorry |
| Sorry. Sorry | Excuse me |
| Verbs | |
| ask | ask |
| go | go |
| come | come |
| turn | turn |
| Verb + negative particle + know | |
| written form - in written speech | I don't know |
| spoken - in oral speech | I don't know |
| Nouns | |
| building | building |
| museum | museum |
| director | director |
| river | river |
| Adverbs | |
| left | left |
| right | right |
| down | downstairs |
| up | upstairs |
| directly | straight ahead |
| there | there |
| Prepositions | |
| right there | over there |
| on: on the river bank | on: on the river |
| Pronouns | |
| It: It’s on the river | he, it, this: He is on the river |
| Question words | |
| Where |
where |
You may have noticed that some words and even entire expressions can be translated differently, but in context these lexemes are very similar and can be interpreted as indicated in the table. Be sure to save and memorize this table!
See also interesting article