Describing a process

USE OF ENGLISH

The imperative

One common feature when describing a process, such as the instructions for how to make a particular dish, is the use of the imperative.The imperative form is made by using the bare infinitive of the verb (the infinitive without 'to'). Here are some examples from the programme. The imperatives are in bold. Note that in these examples there are no grammatical subjects  "Use a minium of four eggs per omelette ...." "Heat the oil, not too much heat, just heat it ... " "Put just one tablespoon of water, not milk, in with the egg ..." "Mix the eggs up, just lightly beat them with a fork ... " "Pour that into the hot pan ... " It is possible to use subjects when describing a process like this. The subject most commonly used is 'you'. For example: You use a minimum of four eggs ... You heat the oil ... You put one tablespoon of water ....

Linking words

When giving a series of instructions it's more natural in speech and writing to join the different instructions together with linking words. There are many different linking words that can be used to describe a sequence of instructions that are part of a process. Two very simple, but commonly used ones areand and then. Here are some examples from the omelette instructions. ... lightly beat the eggs then pour them into the pan ... ... Turn the heat down and then use your fork ... ... And then just put a knife underneath and flip the omelette over ...

PRACTICE. Click on the links to practise how to describe a process

BBC English. Listening/ Reading

Linking by the numbers
It is possible to list and link instructions using 'ly' adverbs based on ordinal numbers - i.e. Firstly, secondly, thirdy ... etc . Here are some simple instructions for using a breadmaking machine using this method. "Firstly, put all the dry ingredients into the pan. Secondly, add the water or milk Thirdly, put pan into the breadmaker and finally select the right programme and press start." Note that the final instruction rather than being from a number is usually finally orlastly. This method is useful for short lists of instructions only, with a maximum of three or four items. It is possible to carry on indefinitely but it is not natural to do so in spoken English.
More linking words & expressions
Beginning The first thing you do is ... To begin with ... To start with ... First ... Continuing And ... Then ... And then ... Next ... After this .... Following this ... When (this is done) / (you've done this) ... Once (this is done) / (you've done this) ... While (something else is happening) ... EndingFinally ... Lastly ... To finish ...	+ verb in imperative form (infinitive without to)

PRACTICE. Click on the links to practise how to describe a process

Listening-comprehension activity