Search blog
Compilation of the most common vocabulary for directions in English
Mastering the vocabulary for directions in English is not only helpful for effective communication but also crucial in the IELTS Writing Task 1 and IELTS Listening exams. So, let's "pocket" some vocabulary for directions in English with PREP right below!

I. Compilation of vocabulary for directions in English
First, let’s explore the four main directions in English—East, West, South, and North—with PREP through the table below!
Directions - Pronunciation - Abbreviations |
Example |
North /norθ/ (N) |
The compass needle points to the north. |
Northeast /ˌnorth:east/ (NE) |
They live in the northeast corner of the city. |
Northwest /ˌnɔrθˈwɛst/ (NW) |
The weather is colder in the northwest region of the country. |
To the north /tuː ðə nɔrθ/ |
If you travel to the north, you'll reach the mountains. |
South /saʊθ/ (S) |
The sun sets in the south during this time of year. |
Southeast /ˌsaʊθˈi:st/ (SE) |
The storm is coming from the southeast, so be prepared for heavy rain. |
Southwest /ˌsaʊθˈwɛst/ (SW) |
They decided to go on a road trip to the southwest for a change of scenery. |
To the south /tuː ðə saʊθ/ |
To escape the cold weather, they moved to a city to the south. |
East /i:st/ (E) |
The sun rises in the east every morning. |
To the east /tuː ðə i:st/ |
If you walk to the east, you'll find the beach. |
West /west/ (W) |
The city is located just west of the river. |
To the west /tuː ðə west/ |
They planned to explore the forests to the west during their camping trip. |

II. Vocabulary related to directions in English
Besides the four main directions—East, West, South, and North—it’s also important to learn additional phrases of directions in English for everyday communication.
Part of speech |
Vocabulary related to directions in English |
Example |
Preposition/ adverb |
In the middle of = In the center of |
The fountain is in the center of the town square. |
Just beyond = A little beyond = Just past |
The house is just beyond the tall oak tree. |
|
Inside |
Please wait for me inside the restaurant; I'll join you shortly. |
|
Outside |
It's a beautiful day; let's have lunch outside in the garden. |
|
To the left of |
The bakery is to the left of the school. |
|
To the right of |
The playground is to the right of the community center. |
|
Verb |
Go up |
To reach the summit, you need to go up the mountain trail. |
Go down |
To enter the storage room, you need to go down these basement stairs. |
|
Start by |
To reach the supermarket, start by going along the High Street road, then turn right. It is located near the hospital. |
|
Preposition/ adverb |
Near |
The bus stop is near the school, making it convenient for students. |
In front of |
The statue is in front of the city hall. |
|
Next to |
The bookstore is next to the flower shop. |
|
Beside |
There's a small park beside the school. |
|
Across from |
The post office is across from the train station. |
|
Between |
The grocery store is between the pharmacy and the bakery. |
|
Verb |
Turn right |
At the intersection, turn right to reach the museum. |
Turn left |
After the traffic light, turn left onto King Street. |
|
Go/ carry straight on |
Continue to go straight on until you see the blue building on your right. |
|
Go past |
Go past the supermarket, and you'll find the gas station on your left. |
|
Preposition/ adverb |
Left-hand side |
The entrance is on the left-hand side of the building. |
Right-hand side |
The parking lot is on the right-hand side of the shopping mall. |
|
On the other side |
Cross the bridge to find the trail on the other side of the river. |
|
Opposite |
The library is opposite the school. |
|
Adjoining |
The two rooms are adjoining, making it easy to move between them. |
|
Alongside |
The bike path runs alongside the river for several miles. |
|
Verb |
Is located = Is situated = Lies = There is = Is |
The new shopping mall is located in the heart of the city. |
Run through = Pass through = Go through = Go across = Cross = Pass over = Cut across |
To get to the park, run through the meadow and cross the small bridge. |
|
Noun |
Crossroad = Intersection = Junction |
Be cautious at the crossroad and watch for oncoming traffic. |
Housing area = Residential area |
The housing area is surrounded by parks and schools. |
|
Entrance = Doorway |
Please use the side entrance; the main doorway is under construction. |
|
Path = Way = Road |
Follow the path through the woods to reach the hidden waterfall. |
|
Roundabout |
Take the second exit at the roundabout to reach the shopping district. |
|
Area = Field = Zone |
Some areas of the country will have some rain tonight. |
|
Site = Place = Location |
The researchers made an exciting discovery at the archeological site on the outskirts of the city. |
|
Edge = Boundary = End = Fringe |
The thatched house is located at the edge of the forest, providing a peaceful retreat. |

III. Questions about giving directions in English
PREP has compiled some commonly used questions to inquire about giving directions in English below. Let’s take a look at these common questions!
Structure |
Example |
Excuse me, where is _______? |
|
Excuse me, how do I get to _______? |
|
Excuse me, is there _______ near here? |
|
What’s the way to_______? |
|
Where’s _______? or Where’s + _______+ located? |
|
Is there a _______ around here? |
|
Can you help me? I'm looking for _______ |
|
Could you tell me the way to _______, please? |
|
Could you tell me how to get to _______, please? |
|
What's the best way to go to ________? |
|
Can you give me directions to _______? |
|
What’s the quickest way to get to _______? |
|
What’s the most convenient way to get to _______? |
|
IV. Tips for quickly and simply remembering directions in English
To effectively remember direction vocabulary in English, try these practical tips from PREP!
Play a Game: Use the classic paper-folding method, dividing it into four sections labeled East, West, South, and North. Inside each section, include fun tasks such as:
-
Defining the direction in your own words
-
Creating an example sentence using the directions in English
This interactive approach makes learning both engaging and effective!
V. Exercises on directions in English
To better understand how to use directional vocabulary in English, try completing the exercises below with PREP!
1. Exercises
Exercise 1: Listen to the audio and fill in the corresponding letters with the correct locations.
Link audio: HERE
Exercise 2: The plans below show the site of an airport now and how it will look after redevelopment next year. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
2. Answer
Exercise 1:
15. H
16. C
17. G
18. B
19. I
20. A
Exercise 2:
The maps depict an airport’s current layout as well as the planned layout for its redevelopment next year. Overall, it is clear that the airport will be expanded in terms of both amenities and space. There is currently a departure lounge to the west and an arrivals lounge to the east. Travelers can either visit the café opposite the check-in counter or proceed directly to passport control after checking in at the departures lounge as well as security zones. Beyond the airport’s northern boundary is a waiting room with a walkway and 8 gates to the runway. Arriving passengers must pass through this room before exiting the arrivals lounge to reach the passport control and customs areas.
Next year, many changes are expected to be seen following the airport’s redevelopment. Inside the departures lounge, the check-in counter will be moved closer to the center of the building, opposite the newly-introduced bag drop and the café, which will be relocated southwest. Additionally, shops will be established in the airport’s midsection for travelers to visit before arriving at the Y-shaped waiting room with 18 gates and a sky train to transport passengers. Meanwhile, the arrivals lounge will feature a café, an ATM, and a car hire in an expanded section of the east wall. It is also notable that there will be one more entryway for each of the lounges.
PREP hopes this article has helped you master the vocabulary of directions in English for effective communication and achieve higher scores in the IELTS Speaking and Listening tests. Stay tuned for more valuable learning resources!
- IELTS preparation course: Master Every Section of IELTS

Hi I'm Chloe, and I am currently serving as an Product Content Administrator at Prep Education. With over five years of experience in independent online IELTS study and exam preparation, I am confident in my ability to support learners in achieving their highest possible scores.
Comment
Related posts
Search blog
Personalized roadmap
Most read
Register for a learning roadmap consultation
Please leave your information, and Prep will contact you for consultation right away!

