How to describe a picture in English: 4 steps, the phrases and a worked example
Describing a picture is part of many speaking tests and a great everyday exercise. Use four steps: say what it is, say where things are, add details, then guess what is happening. Here are the phrases for each step, a worked example, the mistakes to avoid, and how to practise.
By The YoFluent teamUpdated 7 min read
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The 4-step method
| Step | What to say | Phrases |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Overview | One or two sentences: what and where. | “This picture shows…” · “This is a photo of…” · “The image is of…” |
| 2. Position | Where things and people are. | “In the foreground…” · “In the background…” · “On the left / right…” · “In the middle…” · “next to / behind / in front of…” |
| 3. Details | What people are doing, wearing, and colours. | “A man is holding…” · “She is wearing a red coat.” · “There are about five…” · “They seem to be…” |
| 4. Guess | Where, when, why, how they feel. | “It looks like…” · “They might be…” · “I think it was taken in the…” · “Perhaps they are waiting for…” |
A worked example (in words)
Imagine a photo of a busy street market in the morning. A good 40-second description:
“This picture shows a busy street market. (overview) In the foreground, a woman is buying vegetables from a stall. On the left, there are boxes of oranges and tomatoes, and in the background I can see tall buildings and a few people walking. (position) The seller is smiling and putting vegetables into a blue bag. The woman is wearing a green scarf and carrying a basket. (details) It looks like early morning, because the light is soft and the street is not very crowded yet. I think the market is in a warm country, because people are wearing light clothes. (guess)”
Notice the tenses: present continuous for actions you see (“is buying”), there is / there are for objects, and modals (“might”, “must”) for guesses.
Useful language
| Use | Examples |
|---|---|
| Actions now | “is / are + -ing”: “A boy is riding a bike. Two girls are laughing.” |
| Things you see | “There is a… / There are some…” · “I can see…” |
| Not sure | “It looks like…” · “It seems that…” · “He might / may be…” · “She could be a…” |
| Quite sure | “He must be cold, because he is wearing a thick coat.” |
| Mood | “The atmosphere seems relaxed / tense / cheerful.” |
| When you don’t know a word | “It’s a kind of…” · “It’s something you use to…” · “I can’t remember the word, but…” |
Common mistakes
- Listing objects (“tree, car, man”). Make full sentences and link them.
- Saying “in this picture is…” Say “this picture shows…” or “in this picture, there is…”.
- Wrong tense for actions. Use “is walking”, not “walks”, for what you see now.
- Stating guesses as facts. Say “He might be a teacher”, not “He is a teacher”.
- Silence over a missing word. Describe it: “a thing you use to open bottles”.
- Stopping too early. If you run out, describe colours, the mood or the weather, then guess.
How to practise
- Choose any photo from a news site, your phone or a magazine.
- Speak for 45 seconds using the four steps, and record yourself.
- Listen back and count: did you use position words, “is/are + -ing” and one guess?
- Do it again with the same picture and add three new details.
For exams, try the PTE Describe Image timer with charts. For longer talks, see just a minute topics.
Frequently asked questions
How do I describe a picture in English?
Use four steps: give an overview, say where things are, add details about people, colours and actions, and finish by guessing what is happening. Use “is/are + -ing” for actions and “might / looks like” for guesses.
Which tense do I use to describe a picture?
The present continuous for actions you can see (“A man is reading”), the present simple for general facts, and modals such as “might” or “must” for guesses.
How long should I speak?
In many speaking tests, 30 to 60 seconds. Practise with a timer so you can finish with a guess instead of stopping suddenly.
What can I say if I don’t know a word?
Explain it: “It’s a kind of…”, “It’s something you use for…”. Examiners value communication, not only exact vocabulary.
What is the difference between “in the foreground” and “in the background”?
The foreground is the part nearest to you in the picture. The background is the part furthest away.
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