Giving Instructions: Sequencing, Imperatives, and Phrasal Verbs

Today's post is all about giving people instructions: teaching them how to do or use things. We'll also be looking at  phrasal verbs (again).


Let's start with the easy task of making tea to demonstrate the language we'll be using today.

 (art by sbeliniillustration &sgotterson)

First, fill a kettle up with water. Next, plug the kettle in. Then put a teabag in a cup. When the water starts to boil unplug the kettle,  and pour the hot water into the cup.

Then, wait 2 to 5 minutes for the tea to steep (more time means stronger tea). After that, take the teabag out of the cup, and throw it out. Add milk, and spoon in a teaspoon of sugar (or more if you like). Stir the tea until the sugar and milk are mixed. Finally, enjoy your hot cup of tea.

Language



First, Then, Next, After that, Finally: these are words we use for sequencing. It's easier for the listen to understand your instructions if you divide them into small parts.

Stir (the tea), Add (milk), Wait (2 to five minutes) are examples of imperative verbs. These also make what you're saying clear and easy to understand. When giving instructions (or street directions), it's okay to use more direct language.

Fill (a kettle) up with (water), put (a teabag) in (a cup), take (the teabag) out of (the cup): these are examples of phrasal verbs: expressions made with a verb plus one preposition or (often) two prepositions  (You can review the phrasal verbs post here).

Now, let's do an exercise to practice.


Complete the sentences below using the correct prepositions.  Note: there are sentences that don't need a preposition.

Making A Cheese Omelette

a) break two (or more) eggs_____a mixing bowl (on, in, into)

b) sprinkle the grated cheese____the cooked eggs. (over, on, in)

c) heat a frying pan and add___olive oil. (with, on, over)

d) turn the omelette___with a spatula making a half circle. (over, up, on)

e) pour the egg mix_____ the frying pan. (off, in, into)

f) serve the omelette___toast. (over, with, into)

g) let the eggs cook ____the frying pan for about 90 seconds. (on, in, around)

h) grate___some cheese (into, with, under)

i) beat the eggs by stirring them_____with a whisk. (over, with, around)




Now, put the sentences above in the correct order using sequencing (first, next, etc). You can write your answers in the comments section. Step one has been done as an example.

 First, break two (or more) eggs into a mixing bowl.