Polite requests & prepositions of place
Could you…? / Is there…? and place prepositions, using Unit 25 words.
To ask for directions politely we use Could you…? and Would you mind…?. We describe location with prepositions like past, towards, at, opposite. Every example uses this unit's navigation words.
A — How it works
Polite requests are indirect: Could you tell me how to get to…? Prepositions show position: past the bank, at the intersection.
1) Polite indirect requests
Softer than a direct question.
- Could you tell me how to get to the stadium?
- Would you mind showing me on the map?
- Do you know which way the town hall is?
- Could you tell me if it's within walking distance?
2) Prepositions of movement & place
past, towards, at, opposite.
- Go past the bank and turn left.
- Head towards the river.
- Turn right at the intersection.
- The hotel is opposite the landmark.
The rest of this lesson is in the General English course:
- B — Quick reference
- Remember
Try it: Choose the correct form
Select the best option.
- ___ you tell me how to get to the stadium?
(a) Could (b) Do (c) Are - Would you mind ___ me on the map?
(a) showing (b) show (c) to show - Go ___ the bank and turn left.
(a) past (b) at (c) opposite - Head ___ the river.
(a) towards (b) past (c) on - Turn right ___ the intersection.
(a) at (b) to (c) in - The hotel is ___ the landmark.
(a) opposite (b) past (c) towards
Check your answers in the course — it marks them instantly. This is one of the unit's 3 exercises; the other 2 are in the General English course too.
Practise this unit in the course →