directions

directions — noun

1. step-by-step help that shows someone which way to go to reach a place

1.名詞A2
釋義

step-by-step help that shows someone which way to go to reach a place

例句

Ilan texted clear directions to the clinic before my early appointment.

clear directions to + place

We stopped at a bakery to ask for directions to the night market.

ask for directions

同義詞
  • route

    names the way itself, not the spoken or written help

  • guidance

    broader and less tied to travel

  • instructions

    can fit, but often sounds less travel-specific

文法句型

ask for directions

give directions to + place

follow directions

用法筆記

Usually plural when you mean route help. Common with ask for, give, text, email, and follow.

常見錯誤

❌Can you give me a direction to the museum?
✅Can you give me directions to the museum?
💡Route help is normally expressed with the plural noun directions.

2. spoken, written, or printed messages that tell someone what actions to take

2.名詞B1
釋義

spoken, written, or printed messages that tell someone what actions to take

例句

The nurse read the directions on the medicine bottle to Grandpa Chen.

directions on printed material

Please follow the directions from the fire officer during the drill.

follow directions from + authority

同義詞
  • instructions

    closest match and often interchangeable

  • orders

    stronger; suggests authority rather than practical guidance

  • guidelines

    usually softer and less compulsory

文法句型

follow directions

directions on + label/form

directions from + person

用法筆記

This sense is about what to do, not where to go. The directions may come from a person, a label, or a written document.

常見錯誤

❌The bottle has advice about when to take the tablets.
✅The bottle has directions about when to take the tablets.
💡Use directions when the text gives required steps, not general suggestions.

3. the ways that things are pointing, moving, or turned in space

3.名詞B1
釋義

the ways that things are pointing, moving, or turned in space

例句

The branches pointed in different directions after the storm hit the old orchard.

in different directions

Cars came from both directions when the school guard lowered the sign.

from both directions

同義詞
  • orientation

    more formal and often used for one object's position

  • alignment

    focuses on how parts are set in relation to each other

文法句型

in different directions

from both directions

face opposite directions

用法筆記

Use this sense when comparing more than one line, aim, or facing position. It often appears with words like different, opposite, both, and separate.

常見錯誤

❌The two windows looked in two routes.
✅The two windows faced in two different directions.
💡This sense describes where things point or face, not a path for travel.

4. formal control or supervision from the person in charge of a task or project

4.名詞C1
釋義

formal control or supervision from the person in charge of a task or project

例句

The bridge repairs continued under the directions of a senior city engineer.

under the directions of + supervisor

Students cleaned the beach under the directions of two science teachers.

同義詞
  • supervision

    more usual in modern everyday English

  • guidance

    broader and often less formal

  • leadership

    emphasises the person's role more than the control itself

文法句型

under the directions of + person

用法筆記

Formal and less common in everyday speech. It refers to ongoing supervision from someone leading the work, not a single instruction.

常見錯誤

❌We cooked under my aunt's directions because she told us one step.
✅We cooked under my aunt's directions because she supervised the whole meal.
💡This sense suggests continuous oversight, not one quick instruction.

5. the ways that situations, ideas, or numbers begin to develop over time

5.名詞B2
釋義

the ways that situations, ideas, or numbers begin to develop over time

例句

Food prices and bus fares moved in different directions this winter.

move in different directions

The two talks took the budget debate in completely new directions.

take something in new directions

同義詞
  • trends

    closest everyday synonym, especially for data or public change

  • developments

    focuses on new events rather than the path they take

  • course

    more singular and often more formal

文法句型

move in different directions

head in the same direction

take something in new directions

用法筆記

This sense is about change over time. It often appears with prices, debates, policies, markets, and plans rather than physical objects.

常見錯誤

❌The chairs moved in different directions for six months.
✅Sales and costs moved in different directions for six months.
💡This sense describes patterns of development, not physical movement.

6. the subjects or goals toward which thinking, discussion, or work starts to turn

6.名詞B2
釋義

the subjects or goals toward which thinking, discussion, or work starts to turn

例句

The meeting drifted in strange directions once the budget topic ended.

drift in strange directions

Professor Malik pushed the class discussions in more practical directions.

push discussions in practical directions

同義詞
  • focus

    more direct and usually singular

  • line of thought

    narrower; used mainly for thinking or argument

  • approaches

    emphasises methods rather than the goal of attention

文法句型

push something in practical directions

move in several directions

drift in strange directions

用法筆記

Unlike sense 5, this one focuses on what people think about or work on. It is common with discussion, research, attention, and policy work.

常見錯誤

❌The weather pushed our talk in practical directions.
✅The teacher pushed our talk in practical directions.
💡This sense needs a speaker, group, or task whose focus can be guided.