Location is important in language. When we talk, we often need to say where something happens—whether it's moving up or down, here or there, inside or outside. Adverbs of place help us describe the location of actions clearly.
What Are Adverbs of Place?
These specialized adverbs help us understand the spatial aspects of actions, answering the question "where?" for verbs.
Adverbs of place tell us about the location associated with a verb's action. They specify:
- Direction (which way)
- Distance (how far)
- Movement (how something moves)
- Position (where something is)
These adverbs help us create a mental map of where actions occur, making our descriptions more precise and vivid.
Position in Sentences
Understanding where to place these adverbs in a sentence helps create natural-sounding English.
Adverbs of place typically appear:
- After the main verb: She lives nearby.
- After the object: I put the keys there.
- At the end of a clause: The children were playing outside.
- Sometimes at the beginning for emphasis: Upstairs, the baby was crying.
Adverb Order in Sentences
When multiple adverbs appear in a sentence, adverbs of place usually come after adverbs of manner but before adverbs of time:
She danced gracefully [manner] outside [place] yesterday [time].
Types of Adverbs of Place
Direction Adverbs
These tell us which way something or someone is moving.
Direction adverbs indicate the path or orientation of movement:
- up, down
- forward, backward
- left, right
- north, south, east, west
- inward, outward
Examples:
- The hikers climbed up the steep trail.
- The car rolled backward down the hill.
- Birds were flying south for the winter.
Distance Adverbs
These indicate how far away something is or happens.
Distance adverbs show proximity or remoteness:
- near, nearby
- far, far away
- close by
Examples:
- We didn't have to travel far to find a good restaurant.
- They live nearby, just around the corner.
- Don't go too far without your phone.
Movement Adverbs
These describe how something moves through space.
Movement adverbs indicate patterns of motion:
- around
- through
- along
- across
- past
Examples:
- The children ran around the playground.
- We drove through the tunnel.
- The boat sailed across the lake.
Position Adverbs
These specify exact or relative locations where actions occur.
Position adverbs indicate static locations:
- here, there
- everywhere, nowhere, somewhere, anywhere
- inside, outside
- above, below
- ahead, behind
- overseas, abroad
Examples:
- I'll wait here while you shop.
- The cat is hiding somewhere in the house.
- Your jacket was hanging outside.
Adverbs of Place vs. Prepositional Phrases
While both indicate location, they function differently in sentences.
Many concepts of place can be expressed either with a simple adverb or with a prepositional phrase:
Comparison Examples
- She went inside. (adverb of place)
- She went into the house. (prepositional phrase)
- The child looked upward. (adverb of place)
- The child looked toward the sky. (prepositional phrase)
Prepositional phrases provide more specific location details, while adverbs of place are more general.
The Exception: Modifying Adjectives
In rare cases, adverbs of place can modify more than just verbs.
While adverbs of place typically modify verbs, there is one notable exception. They can sometimes modify adjectives that already express location:
- The room upstairs is vacant. (modifies the adjective "upstairs")
- The people nearby were helpful. (modifies the adjective "nearby")
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Incorrect Usage
Confusion with Directional Prepositions
Incorrect: I'm going to downtown.
Correct: I'm going downtown.
Double Location Indicators
Redundant: Where are you at?
Correct: Where are you?
Confusing "Here" and "There" in Presentations
Incorrect: Here we have the sales figures. (when pointing away)
Correct: There we have the sales figures. (when pointing away)
Practical Examples in Context
| Sentence | Adverb of Place | What it Shows |
|---|---|---|
| Please put the books there. | there | position |
| The cat jumped down. | down | direction |
| We searched everywhere. | everywhere | comprehensive position |
| Let's go inside. | inside | direction with implied destination |
| The birds soared upward. | upward | direction |
