The stranger gave me directions to the library.

Meaning: This means that a person I did not know told me how to get to the building where people can read and borrow books.

Choice of Words: Stranger is a person you do not know. Gave means to transfer the possession of something to someone. Directions is a set of instructions on how to get to a particular place. Library is a place where books and other materials are kept for people to read and borrow.

Alternative Expressions

A stranger gave me instructions to the library.

Meaning: This means the same as the first sentence, but it uses the word "instructions" instead of "directions".

Choice of Words: Stranger means someone you don't know. Instructions means a set of steps on how to do something. Library is a place where you can borrow books to read. When you put them together, "A stranger gave me instructions to the library" means that a person you don't know told you how to get to the library.

Someone I didn't know told me how to get to the library.

Meaning: This means the same as the first two sentences, but it uses more words to explain what happened.

Choice of Words: Someone means a person. Didn't know means you are not familiar with the person. Told means to communicate information. How means the way or method of doing something. Get means to obtain or reach a place. To indicates the destination. Library is a place where you can borrow books to read. When you put them together, "Someone I didn't know told me how to get to the library" means that a person you don't know gave you instructions on how to get to the library.

Related Expressions