How to Give and Get Directions—Not with Textbook English
When living in a new city or traveling we spend a lot of time finding our way around. So you may find yourself asking for or being asked for directions in English. There are so many textbooks and lessons out there on how to give and get directions in English but…
The thing is, native speakers don’t learn to give directions from textbooks, so they don’t always say the things you might expect. You may find yourself asking for directions and feeling confused by the answers.
In today’s Confident English lesson, I’ll share with you some of the ways people actually give directions and some skills you can use to understand that valuable information.
By the end of this video you will be able to confidently ask for, understand and give directions like a local.
After you watch the video, be sure to check out the additional example of what native speakers really say below and share your answer to the challenge question.
How native speakers really give directions.
Lesson by Annemarie
How to Give and Get Directions in English
Ask for Directions
- Do you know where I can find the station?
- How do I get to the library from here?
- Would you happen to know where the post office is?
- Could you please tell me how to get to the park?
When You Don’t Know How to Give Directions
- I’m sorry, I’m not from around here.
- I have no idea, sorry.
- I’m not sure, you’d better ask someone else, sorry.
Textbook English
What We Really Say
- Go straight down this street
- Head down that way
- Just along here
- Just go down here
- Follow this street
- Head up there
- Head this way
- It’s basically that way
- Turn right at the traffic lights
- Take a right at the lights
- Hang a right at the intersection
- Make a right at the lights
- Take the road on the right
- Make sure you go right at the first big corner
- Continue going straight ahead until you reach Main Street
- Continue on ’til you get to Main, which is the one with the bank on the corner
- Keep going ’til you hit the intersection at Main
- You’re gonna wanna keep going ’til you see the bank at the traffic lights
- Don’t stop until you get to the coffee shop with the red roof, which is next to the bank
- You’re gonna go about 2 blocks ’til you hit Main Street
- Then it is the building on the left
- You’ll know it, it’ll be the one on the left with the green sign
- Then you’re gonna see it on the left opposite the bank
- It’ll be on the left, and if you get to the gallery you’ll know you’ve gone too far
Related Lessons on Traveling
Now that you’ve watched the video and learned some new language, it’s time to practice!
Today I want you to practice giving me directions. Use the map below and use some of the language you’ve learned to tell me how to get from Big Ben and Buckingham Palace.
Use the comments section at the end of this lesson to share your answer or ask questions. It’s the best place to communicate with me, get feedback, and learn from others in our Confident English Community.
~ Annemarie
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To go from Big Ben to Buckingham Palace…
First, just follow this way on Birdcage Walk. Cross Abingdon Street and after that on your right you gonna find churchill War Rooms. Then, next to it you’ll see St James’s Park on your right too. it’s a big and nice park. Keep going ‘til you hit Spur Road then turn right and finally go straight one block. You know it when you see it. It’s Buckingham Palace in front of you.
To go from Big Ben to Buckingham Palace…
First, just follow this way on Birdcage Walk. Cross Abingdon Street and after that on your right you gonna find churchill War Rooms. Then, next to it you’ll see St James’s Park on your right too. it’s a big and nice park. Keep going ‘til you hit Spur Road then turn right and finally go straight one block. You know it when you see it. It’s Buckingham Palace in front of you.
hi! I am always having diffuculty giving diriections . ı hope this is the right direction 🙂 — follow this road until you hit the spur road and then make a right at the intersection after that you are goona see it on the left which is the opposite The Mall street.
From Big ben to Buckingham Palace:
I’d say: You just follow this street and continue on it until you hit the intersection at Spur Rd. After that, you make a right at the intersection.From there, you go straight until you see a big palace on the left. Make sure if you reach the Mall street, you ve gonna so far.
I would say: The quickest way is to take road right infront of you, go straight and take the Bridcage walk along the park. Continue till you reach the intersection at the end of the park. Then turn right and take the spur road till you reach the next intersection and now you’re gonna see the Buckingham palace on the left.
So, you can go straight, make a right at spur rd, continue on until you reach the birdcage walk and then keep moving forward and you’ll see the big ben near from the westminster.
The fastest way is going from Birdcage Walk Street , so take your right , then go straight ahead Birdcage Walk Street , finally you’ll find Big Ben on your left side after around 6 min walking.
So, head straight along the street, and when the park on the right side ends you’ll get there turning the right.
Many thanks. It’s very helpful to me.
I’d say: go out the Big Ben and turn left. you’re gonna wanna keep going Birdcage St until you see the Jamese’s Park at the right. don’t stop and hang a right at the intersection with Super RD then turn the right at the Constitution Hill St and you can see Buckingham place on the left.
Hello. I’ve just discovered your course about giving and asking for directions. It’s just amazing. I’m a secondary school german teacher and I’m interested in english (I speak it fluently). And I’m still looking for ways and means to be better than ever before. Thanks for helping.
Hello Annemarie ❤️.
It’s this way. First, follow the birdcage walk and then take a right at the junction. Then you’re gonna see it on the left.
Thank you so much.
Excellent, Sara! Very clear and great use of ‘gonna’ for more natural speech. 🙂
Thank you so much Annemarie..! You’re a wonderful Teacher…!
Thanks, Libri. I appreciate the kind comment.
Hi,
To be honest, I am really bad at giving directions to someone but after reading your lessons I think I could give it a shot.First go straight until you find the tower on the right side of the street and take left to the tower and walk few blocks to reach the palace on left.
Well done, Hyder. I’m glad this lesson was helpful for you and an opportunity to practice.
Hi Annemarie. Giving and following directions for me is really difficult.
I’d say, you’re gonna wanna follow ahead Birdcage Road until the intersection with Spur Road and then make a right and keep going until you hit the Palace. You’ll know it when you see it.
Hello Annemarie, thanks for the lesson; clear, simple, and useful as usual.
I think I’d say : Follow Birdcage Road along the park ’til the intersection with Spur Road (at the end of the park) , turn right and go straight until you see Buckingham Palace on your left.
Hi Annalisa, I’m so glad this lesson was helpful! And fantastic job on the directions. They’re perfectly clear and simple. Good work! 🙂
Hey, Annemarie! Thanks for the lesson! I’d probably say this (giving the directions from Big Ben):
“Go down Birdcage Walk all the way (along St Jame’s Park) until you get to Spur Road. You might wanna turn right there and head that Road until you see the Palace on your left. I’m sure you won’t miss it!”
What do you say?
Absolutely perfect, Aiga! Nice job. I love your use of “you might wanna turn…” 🙂
You can start your adventurous journey by following “Spur Rd” street until you get to Main.And then,make a left end of the road.Continue on til you pass the “park” and “Churchill War Rooms”.You will see these places on your left.As soon as you pass the “Churchill War Rooms”,you ‘ll see “Westminster sign”(I think it is just a sign)where is across on the street.Then you are going to see “Big Ben ” on the right opposite the “Westminster sign”
(If i have mistakes i apologize to everybody.)
Nice work, Mumtaz. That’s perfectly understandable and helpful. I like the additional visual cues you included, like the Churchill War Rooms.
I probably say: go down on birdcage walk, there is on the left side of the park and keep going until you reach a big intersection. You know it because you have the westmister station in front of you. And buckingam palace is right there.
How I was going? 😀
I like your word choices, Vincenza. Just one small thing: if you’re walking from Big Ben to the Palace, I believe the park will be on the right, not the left and the station will be close to Big Ben. 🙂
Hello Annemarie.
If someone ask me for the direction from Big Ben to Buckingham Palace, I would say this:
First, follow this street: Birdcage walk,
and then, continue on´til you finish bordering St Jame’s Park and find Spur Rd,
after that, take the road on the right, follow this street,
and finally, continue on`til you get the round point that is in front of Buckingham Place.
Fantastic, Adriana! That was so easy to follow and I loved your use of ’til instead of until. We often use this shortened form in speaking. Great job!
When somebody ask me for directions:
(From Buckingham Palace) Oh! First follow this street on the left side, make sure you have to turn left at the second corner. Then continue on till you hit the Tower. You know, you’ll see a big tower on the right. I hope you understand it. Otherwise you can ask me as much as you want to.
Excellent, Sergio. Clear and simple directions from the palace to Big Ben. Great job. 🙂