Understanding instructions in English : complete course

When you play a vocabulary game in English, you often see short instructions on the screen or on a card. These instructions are called game instructions. They tell you what to do, how to play, and what the rules are. Understanding them is the first step to playing well and learning effectively.

Simple Examples of Game Instructions

Here are some very common instructions you might see in an English vocabulary game:

• ‘Match the word to its picture.’
• ‘Choose the correct answer.’
• ‘Fill in the blank.’
• ‘Drag and drop the word.’
• ‘Listen and repeat.’

These sentences are short and direct. Each one tells you exactly what action to take.

The Key Elements of Understanding a Game Instruction in English

A game instruction usually has a few important parts. Let us look at each one.

1. The Action Verb

The first word of an instruction is almost always a verb. This verb tells you what to do. It is called an imperative verb.

• Match the words. (= find the pairs)
• Write the missing letter. (= use your keyboard or pen)
• Click on the correct word. (= use your mouse or finger)
• Find the hidden word. (= look carefully)

These verbs are always in the base form. There is no ‘s’, no ‘-ing’, and no ‘-ed’ at the end.

2. The Object (What You Act On)

After the verb, you usually find the object. This tells you what you are working with.

3. Extra Information (How or Where)

Some instructions add extra details. These help you understand how to complete the task.

• ‘Click on the correct answer.’ (= not just any answer)
• ‘Write the word in the box.’ (= a specific place)
• ‘Match the word to its picture.’ (= a specific target)

This extra information is very helpful. Always read the full sentence, not just the first word.

Why Understanding Game Instructions in English Matters

You might think: ‘I just want to play and learn words. Why do instructions matter?’ Here is the answer: if you do not understand the instruction, you cannot do the task correctly. And if you do the wrong task, you do not learn the right thing.

Understanding instructions also builds your English skills. Each time you read ‘choose’, ‘match’, or ‘complete’, you are learning real English verbs. These verbs are useful in school, at work, and in everyday life.

For example:

• A teacher says: ‘Complete the exercise.’ You already know this word from your game!
• A website says: ‘Choose your language.’ Easy to understand!
• A form says: ‘Fill in your name.’ No problem!

Comparison with Other Languages

In French, Spanish, and English, game instructions follow a similar pattern: they start with an imperative verb. But there are some small differences.

In English, the imperative verb does not change. You always say ‘Match’, not ‘Matches’ or ‘Matching’. In French and Spanish, the verb form can change depending on who you are speaking to. English is simpler in this case!

A Complete Example

Imagine you open a vocabulary game and you see this instruction:

‘Look at the picture and write the correct English word in the box.’

Let us break it down:

• Look at the picture = use your eyes, observe the image
• and write = two actions: look first, then write
• the correct English word = one specific word, the right one
• in the box = type or write inside the box on the screen

Now you know exactly what to do. This is how you read a game instruction step by step.

Key Points to Remember

• A game instruction always starts with an action verb in the imperative form.
• The verb tells you what to do: match, choose, write, find, click, fill in…
• The object tells you what you are working with.
• Extra words give you important details about how or where to act.
• Reading the full sentence is important. Do not stop at the first word.
• English instructions are simple. The verb never changes its form.

Take your time with each instruction. Read it once, then read it again. With practice, you will understand game instructions faster and faster. And that means more time learning new words!

Sources

• Council of Europe. (2001). Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment. Cambridge University Press.
• Nation, I.S.P. (2001). Learning Vocabulary in Another Language. Cambridge University Press.
• Thornbury, S. (2002). How to Teach Vocabulary. Pearson Education.