English · A2 · vocabulary · 4 minutes
Giving directions
Turn actions and landmarks into a route someone can follow.
Understand the choice
Good directions alternate an action with a visible checkpoint. Go, turn, cross, continue, and take the second street create a route that can be verified.
Core rule: Use base-form imperatives; turn left/right, cross a place directly, and turn at a landmark.
Notice it in context
Go straight, turn left, and cross the square.
Siga recto, gire a la izquierda y cruce la plaza.
Three base-form imperatives share understood you; square is direct object of cross.
Turn right at the traffic light.
Change direction to the right when you reach the road signal.
Right and traffic light identify direction and checkpoint.
The bridge is after the intersection; continue straight.
The crossing structure comes after the road junction; do not turn.
Bridge, intersection, and straight appear directly.
What to remember
- Cross the bridge has no preposition; walk across the bridge uses across.
- On the left describes position; turn left describes direction.
Common trap: Do not say cross through the square when simple cross is intended.