Place adverbs are special words that answer the question "Where?" They tell us about the location of an action or event. These adverbs can describe specific places, directions, or even be more general. Some common place adverbs are here, there, everywhere, outside, inside, above, below, nearby, and away.
Examples
Simple Sentences
- She is waiting here.
- They went outside.
- The dog is hiding under the table.
Questions
- Where do you live? — I live nearby.
- Where did you put the keys? — They are inside the drawer.
More Complex Sentences
- You can find the book anywhere in the library.
- He looked around but didn’t see anyone.
- The children are playing outside while their parents cook dinner.
Rules for Placement
Place adverbs can usually go:
- At the end of a sentence (most common)
- At the beginning of a sentence (for emphasis)
- After the verb (especially with short verbs)
End of Sentence
- She sat outside.
- They live upstairs.
Beginning of Sentence
- Outside, the weather was cold.
- Here is your ticket.
After the Verb
- We’ll meet there tomorrow.
- He looked everywhere for his glasses.
Common Place Adverbs
| Adverb | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| here | Come here, please. | In this place |
| there | The keys are there. | In that place |
| outside | Let’s go outside. | Out of the building/place |
| inside | It’s warm inside. | Within the building/place |
| above | The lamp is above the table. | Higher than something |
| below | The shoes are below the bed. | Lower than something |
| nearby | There’s a café nearby. | Close to this place |
| away | She moved away yesterday. | To a different place |
| everywhere | There are flowers everywhere. | In all places |
Special Notes
- Place adverbs don’t change form (no -s, -ed, or -ing).
- Some words can be adverbs or prepositions, depending on use (inside the room vs. come inside).
- Combine place adverbs with time and manner adverbs for detailed meaning (She waits outside patiently every evening.).
Practice
Try filling in the blanks with place adverbs:
- I left my bag (here / inside / above).
- The kids are playing (outside / nearby / below).
- Can you see the bird (there / away / everywhere)?
Summary
Place adverbs tell us where something happens. Common ones include here, there, outside, inside, above, and below. They usually go at the end of a sentence, but can also appear at the beginning or after the verb. Use them to add important details about location in your sentences.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
