Adverbs of Place - Definition, Examples and Exercises

Simple Definition with Examples

Adverb of place always talks about the location or place where the action of verb is being carried out. Adverbs of place usually answer one question- where? They are usually placed after the main verb or after the clause they alter or modify. For example consider the following sentences-

We are scheduled to meet our Principal here in class.
I met my old friend in Delhi, when he was there for attending a marriage.
Mukesh lives near to Ramesh.
Today I lost my pen somewhere.
His shop lies below the over bridge.

Consider first sentence. Which adverb answers the question- where is the meeting with the principal scheduled? You guessed it right! The word ‘here’ answers the question and is therefore an ‘adverb of place’. Similarly in the following sentences the words – there, near, somewhere and below, describe the places where the action is being performed and are therefore the ‘Adverbs of Time’.

Examples/List/Words

abroad, across, ahead, back, backwards, beyond, down, downwards, eastward, everywhere, here, in, indoors, inside, outside, overseas, there, west, anywhere, away, elsewhere, far, near, nearby, over, towards, under, where etc.

What is Interrogative Adverb of Place

‘Where’ is an interrogative adverb of place used to simply enquire about a place or the place where the action is taking place. Consider the example sentences given below.

Where did you go after the meeting?
Where is my book?
Where is the dance performance going on?
Where do the nomads live?
Where do all the people go during a famine?

Types of Adverb of Places with Examples

There are broadly four types of adverbs of places. We will go through these types of Adverbs of Places elaborated with appropriate examples.

Directional Adverbs of Places

This type of adverb of place provides the direction in which the verb is being performed. Consider the following sentences for example-

1) He went up the stairs to his office on the first floor.

2) You have to push the peddle down to speed up.

3) After destroying the area the storm moved southwards.

4) Engine always lies ahead of the wagons.

In the first sentence ‘up’ is an adverb of place and also provide the direction in which the action is being performed. Similarly adverbs of places in the sentences 2, 3 and 4 are – down, southwards and ahead respectively.

Adverbs of Places Referring to the Distance

These type of Adverb of Places refer to the distance of an object or two objects. To better understand these type of Adverbs of Places consider the following sentences.

1) His house lies far away from the City.

2) Nearby my office there is a bakery.

3) They are staying together but their thoughts are miles apart.

4) Only hard work will get you closer to success.

Far away, nearby, miles apart and closer are the Adverbs of Places referring to distance in the above sentences respectively.

Adverb of Places Indicating Position

Some Adverbs of Places may refer to the relative positions between two objects. Consider the following sentences-

1) My office lies above the Union Bank of India.

2) Raman’s class rank is below that of Rajeev’s.

3) Lucknow is midway between Delhi and Patna.

4) To save himself from police, the thief hid himself behind a tree.

Adverbs of Places in the above subjects are- above, below, midway and behind.

Adverbs of Places Indicating Movement in a Particular Direction

These Adverbs of Places indicate the movement in a particular direction and usually ends with ‘ward’. Consider the following sentences-

1) When teacher asked a question, Ramesh moved forward to answer.

2) Sprinters take few steps backwards before giving it a final go.

3) Due to market fluctuations, the cost of gold plummeted downwards.

4) The plane moves upwards on full thrust.

Adverb of Place in the above examples are: forward, backwards, downwards and upwards.

Worksheets/Activities for Grade 5

Complete the below sentences by filling in the appropriate Adverbs of Places:
My cousin lives _______ in Los Angeles.
The office you are looking for lies _____ the street.
Due to the inclination, the car started moving ________.
The old man was lying ______ a tree and sleeping.
God is present _________.
Come ______. I will show you the way.
Get _____ the car now.
I worked ______ for two years.

Answers-: abroad, across, downwards, below, everywhere, here, in and there. Now try practicing on your own, forming sentences using Adverbs of Places.

Exercise/Quiz/MCQ with Answers

Engine always lays _____ of the wagons.
1. ahead
2. backwards
3. forward
4. Inside
His performance was ______ our expectations.
1. Eastward
2. there
3. beyond
4. there
Due to the inclement weather, everyone stayed ________.
1. backwards
2. outside
3. indoors
4. west
The happiness we seek lays ______ of our materialistic obsessions.
1. outside
2. inside
3. downwards
4. eastwards
My school is ______ from my home.
1. distance
2. towards
3. far
4. visible
My uncle lives _______ to the railway station.
1. far
2. distance
3. near
4. outside
I took the turn and started walking ________ my school.
1. near
2. inside
3. towards
4. East
Working ______ him, I gained good experience.
1. away
2. under
3. near
4. outside
_____ is Ramesh? He is supposed to be here by now.
1. outside
2. where
3. near
4. away
The wind was moving ______ , making it difficult for climbers.
1. downwards
2. away
3. East
4. outside

Answers-: 1(a), 2(c), 3(c), 4(a), 5(c), 6(c), 7(c), 8(b), 9(b) and 10(a).

Related Information:

Adverb
Adverbs of Reason/Purpose
Adverbs of Conjunction
Adverbs of Manner
Adverbs of Degree/Intensity/Quantity
Adverbs of Comparison
Adverbs of Conjunction
Adverbs of Frequency
Adverbs of Affirmation and Negation
Adverbs of Comment and Viewpoint