Lesson

Describing places 2

Advanced place descriptions

≈ 15 min 8 block(s)

Text

Describing places — useful expressions (Part 2)

This lesson focuses on idiomatic expressions and set phrases commonly used to describe locations, distance, and surroundings. These expressions help you sound natural in business reports, emails, and speaking tasks.

  • Learn common expressions to describe proximity, position, and environment.
  • See examples in professional contexts (offices, hotels, meeting venues).
  • Practice choosing and using the right expression for tone and formality.

Table

Useful expressions to describe places

Expression Meaning Example
in the heart of in the central part of an area Our office is in the heart of the financial district.
on the outskirts at the outer edge of a city or town The warehouse is on the outskirts of the city.
within walking distance close enough to walk to The client site is within walking distance of the hotel.
a stone's throw from very close to The café is a stone's throw from the conference center.
off the beaten track in a remote or less-known location The retreat is off the beaten track, ideal for privacy.
well-connected having good transport links The building is well-connected by subway and bus.
adjacent to next to or beside The meeting room is adjacent to reception.
overlooking having a view over (something) The boardroom overlooks the river.

Tip

Key rule: Choose the right register and preposition

When describing places, pay attention to tone and prepositions:

  • Formal expressions (e.g., 'adjacent to', 'overlooking') suit reports and emails.
  • Informal idioms (e.g., 'a stone's throw from', 'off the beaten track') are fine in conversations and some presentations.
  • Many expressions require specific prepositions: 'in the heart of', 'on the outskirts', 'adjacent to', 'a stone's throw from'.

Match expression formality to your audience and use the correct preposition.

Example

Examples in context

Our office is in the heart of the financial district.

The hotel is a stone's throw from the convention center.

The factory is on the outskirts of the city, where rents are lower.

The new coworking space is well-connected to public transport.

Tip

Common mistakes to avoid

Learners often make predictable errors when using place expressions. Watch out for:

  • Using the wrong preposition (e.g., say 'a stone's throw from', not 'a stone's throw of').
  • Mixing registers — avoid informal idioms in formal reports.
  • Incorrect word order or missing determiners (e.g., 'in heart of' → needs 'the').
  • Overusing adjectives instead of fixed expressions (e.g., 'very close' instead of 'a stone's throw from').

Check prepositions and register before sending emails or reports.

Quiz

Choose the sentence that correctly uses an expression meaning 'very close':

Hint: Focus on the preposition used with the phrase.

Quiz

Complete: The meeting room is _____ reception.

Hint: Think of a formal phrase meaning 'next to'.

Quiz

Which expression best completes this sentence? 'The retreat center is _____ — it's far from major roads and busy areas.'

Hint: Choose the phrase that means 'remote' or 'isolated'.

Key Points

Expression

a stone's throw from

expression CEFR B1 //ə ˈstoʊnz θroʊ fɹəm//

very close to; a short distance away

The hotel is a stone's throw from the convention center.

Expression

within walking distance

expression CEFR B1 //wɪˈðɪn ˈwɔːkɪŋ ˌdɪstəns//

close enough to reach on foot

The client site is within walking distance of the hotel.

Expression

adjacent to

prepositional phrase CEFR B2 //əˈdʒeɪsənt tuː//

next to or adjoining something else

The meeting room is adjacent to reception.

Expression

off the beaten track

expression CEFR B2 //ɒf ðə ˈbiːtən træ̠k//

in a remote or less frequently visited place

The retreat is off the beaten track, ideal for privacy.

Vocabulary

well-connected

adjective CEFR B1 //wɛl kəˈnɛktɪd//

having good transport or communication links

The building is well-connected by subway and bus.

Expression

overlooking

preposition/participle CEFR B2 //ˌoʊvərˈlʊkɪŋ//

having a view over something (usually from above)

The boardroom overlooks the river.