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-
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’.
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.
‘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.
There are broadly four types of adverbs of places. We will go through these types of Adverbs of Places elaborated with appropriate examples.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Answers-: abroad, across, downwards, below, everywhere, here, in and there. Now try practicing on your own, forming sentences using Adverbs of Places.
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