Sentence reading time was measured while subjects followed a set of multistep directions for operating an unfamiliar “electronic device.” Sentences were read faster when action information (e.g., “Turn the left knob”) came first and condition information (e.g., “The alpha meter should read 20”) came second. This effect was observed when the condition information was an antecedent or a consequent of the action, when the action was in the main or subordinate clause, and when the action was performed immediately or from memory. This robust result suggests that procedural directions are organized internally around the actions to be performed, and that condition information is remembered only with respect to particular actions. In this view, action-first sentences are easier to understand because they provide the information in the order in which it is needed.