What is an Adverb of Place? Definition and Example Sentences

English Adverbs of Place, What is an Adverb of Place? Definition and Example Sentences

Adverbs of place inform us where something happens. Adverbs of place are placed after the clause that they modify or after the main verb. Adverbs of place do not modify adverbs or adjectives. Examples of adverbs of place: everywhere, outside, here, around, away.

 

Examples;

• I searched everywhere I could think of.
• I’m going back to school.
• Come in!
• They built a house nearby.
• She took the child outside.

 

HERE AND THERE

Here and there are common adverbs of place. They give a location relative to the speaker. Verbs of, here means “towards or with the speaker” and there means “away from, or not with the speaker”.

 

Examples;

• What are you doing up there?
• I wonder how I left my driver’s license here.

 

Here and there can be at the beginning of the sentence in exclamations or when emphasis is needed. If the  subject is a noun or by a pronoun they are followed by the verb.

 

ADVERBS OF PLACE THAT ARE ALSO PREPOSITIONS

Many adverbs of place, can be used as prepositions. When used as prepositions, they should be followed by a noun.

 

around

The marble rolled around in my hand.(adverbs of place)

I am wearing a necklace around my neck.(preposition)

 

behind

Hurry! You are getting behind.(adverbs of place)

Let’s hide behind the shed.(preposition)

 

in

We decided to drop in on Jake.(adverbs of place)

I dropped the letter in the mailbox.(preposition)

 

off     

Let’s get off at the next stop.(adverbs of place)

The wind blew the flowers off the tree.(preposition)

 

on       

We rode on for several more hours.(adverbs of place)

Please put the books on the table.(preposition)

 

ADVERBS OF PLACE ENDING IN – WHERE

They end in – where express the idea of location without a specific location or direction.

Examples;

• I have nowhere to go now.
• I keep running into Pam everywhere!

ADVERBS OF PLACE ENDING IN -WARDS

They end in -wards express movement in a particular direction.

Examples;

• Cats don’t usually walk backwards.
• The ship sailed westwards.
• The balloon drifted upwards.
• We will keep walking homewards until we arrive.

 

ADVERBS OF PLACE EXPRESSING BOTH MOVEMENT & LOCATION

Some adverbs of place express movement and location at the same time.

Examples;

• The child went indoors.
• He lived and worked abroad.
• Water always flows downhill.
• The wind pushed us sideways.

 

Adverbs of Place List;

• About
• Anywhere
• Backward/s
• Down
• Elsewhere
• In
• Near
• On
• Over
• Towards
• Underground
• Along
• Under
• Above
• Away
• Behind
• Downstairs
• Far
• Indoors
• Nearby
• Out
• Upstairs
• Overseas
• Somewhere
• There
• Up
• Abroad
• Back
• East
• Here
• Inside
• Off
• Outside
• Next door
• Right
• Below