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Adverbs of place are words that show where something happens. They tell about location, direction, or position in a sentence. In this blog post, you will learn what adverbs of place are, see examples, understand how they are used, and know the common types. This will help you use them correctly in English sentences.
What is an adverb?
An adverb is a word that gives more information about a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It tells how, when, where, or how much something happens. For example, in the sentence “She runs fast,” the word fast is an adverb because it describes how she runs.
What is an adverb of place?
Adverbs of place tell us where an action happens. They describe the location, position, or direction of the verb in a sentence. These adverbs help answer the question “Where?”
Examples:
- She is waiting here.
The word “here” tells us the exact place where she is waiting. - The library is near the park.
The word “near” shows the library’s position in relation to the park. It gives a sense of distance between them.
These adverbs make it easier to understand where something is happening or where something is located.
Placement of Adverbs of place in a Sentence
Adverbs of place can appear in different parts of a sentence, depending on what you want to emphasize or make clear.
After the Main Verb
This is the most common position. The adverb comes right after the verb.
- She walked outside.
- They live down the street.
After the Object
If there’s a direct object, the adverb usually goes after it.
- He placed the book on the table.
- She found her keys under the couch.
Before the Main Verb (for Emphasis)
Some short adverbs like here or there can come before the verb, especially to add focus.
- Here comes the bus!
- There lies the problem.
These placements help give more detail about where the action happens.
Word Order Importance
The placement of adverbs of place can impact the meaning of a sentence. Different word orders can emphasize different aspects:
- “He is there now.” (Emphasizing the location)
- “He is now there.” (Emphasizing the timing of arrival)
Common Adverbs of Place
Adverbs of place tell us where something happens. Below is a categorized list to help you learn them with clarity and examples.
General Location
These adverbs refer to broad or unspecified places.
- here
- there
- everywhere
- somewhere
- nowhere
Example: I looked everywhere, but I couldn’t find my notebook.
Vertical Position
These adverbs describe a position above or below something else.
- above
- below
- over
- under
Example: The lamp hangs above the table.
Inside or Outside a Space
These show whether something is inside or outside a physical place.
- in
- inside
- outside
- indoors
- outdoors
Example: They played outside after lunch.
Distance
These describe how far or near something is.
- near
- far
Example: The store is near my house.
Inside a Building
Used to show movement or position within a building.
- upstairs
- downstairs
Example: She ran upstairs to grab her bag.
Direction
These indicate movement or position related to cardinal directions.
- north
- south
- east
- west
Example: They traveled east to reach the beach.
Relative Location
These describe a place in relation to a specific area.
- abroad
- overseas
- locally
Example: He studied abroad for two years.
Unspecified or Unknown Places
Used when the exact place is not mentioned or is uncertain.
- anywhere
- nowhere
Example: You can sit anywhere you like.
Compound Adverbs of Place
These are adverbs formed by combining an adverb with another word. For example: upstairs, downstairs, outdoors, indoors, whereabouts, hereabouts, therein, etc.
- The kitchen is downstairs.
- It’s too hot, let’s stay indoors.
- They love to play outdoors.
Example sentences
- The kids are playing outside.
- The cat is hiding under the table.
- Please wait for me downstairs.
- Here, the meeting will take place.
- The mountains are far
- She walked away from the crowd.
- They are walking down the street.
- I left my keys somewhere in the house.
- It’s cold outside today.
- She traveled abroad for her studies.
- She placed the vase on the shelf.
- The park is near our house.
- The bakery is just down the street.
- The scent of flowers was everywhere.
- She is standing there quietly.
- The car is parked right outside.
- They went there to meet the teacher.
List of adverbs of place
- here
- there
- everywhere
- somewhere
- nowhere
- near
- far
- abroad
- overhead
- underground
- upstairs
- downstairs
- outside
- inside
- behind
- in front
- nearby
- internally
- externally
- hereabouts
- thereabouts
- indoors
- outdoors
- ahead
- underneath
- back
- forward
- away
- out
- in
- up
- on
- down
- around
- above
- below
- between
- beside
- by
- across
- towards
- over
- beyond
- north
- south
- east
- west
- aside
- within
- without
- right here
- left behind
- in front
- northeast
- northwest
- southeast
- southwest
- in the park
- overseas
- overhead
- underfoot
- underground
- on the hill
- under the bridge
- by the river
- at the store
- across the street
- along the path
- through the forest
- near the beach
- beyond the horizon
- between the buildings
- behind the curtain
- inside the house
- outside the window
- atop the mountain
- under the table
- below the surface
FAQs
An adverb of place is a type of adverb that provides information about the location, position, or direction of an action or verb within a sentence. It answers the question “Where?” in relation to the action.
Adverbs of place describe where an action is happening or where something is located. They add context and specificity to sentences by indicating the spatial aspects of the action.
Yes, They can be used with both transitive (verbs that take a direct object) and intransitive (verbs that don’t require a direct object) verbs. They describe the location of the action in relation to the subject.
Some commonly used adverbs of place include here, there, everywhere, somewhere, nowhere, upstairs, downstairs, inside, outside, near, far, above, below, and abroad.
Adverbs of place can be used at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence, depending on where the speaker wants to emphasize or create a specific effect.
No, not all adverbs of place end in “-ly.” adverbs of place such as “here,” “there,” “above,” “below,” “nearby,” and “inside” do not end in “-ly.”
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