LoginRelative Adverbs
Discover the rules for using relative adverbs like 'when', 'where', and 'why'. Detailed explanations and a quiz to test your knowledge.
What Are Relative Adverbs?
Relative adverbs are adverbs that are used to introduce a dependent clause that functions as a modifier within a sentence. These adverbs are called relative because they relate the dependent clause to the rest of the sentence.
English Relative Adverbs
There are three main relative adverbs in English:
Tip!
A relative adverb can usually be replaced by a preposition and the relative pronoun 'which' (for example, 'in which,' 'for which,' 'on which,' etc.)
Relative Adverbs: Function
Relative adverbs are used to introduce and head a relative clause, which functions as a modifier for a noun or pronoun in a sentence to provide additional information about it. Consider these sentences:
This is the hospital.
My mom gave birth to me.
They are both correct sentences, but if we want to join them to form a single sentence, we need a relative adverb:
This is the hospital where my mom gave birth to me.
Relative Adverb of Time
'When' is a relative adverb of time that is commonly used to introduce relative clauses that relate to time. It can replace more formal phrases, such as 'in which', 'at which', or 'on which.' Here are some examples:
I remember the day when I met your mother.
You can also say "I remember the day on which I met your mother."
Do you remember the years when our country was not at war?
Relative Adverb of Place
'Where' is a relative adverb of place that is commonly used to introduce relative clauses that relate to location. It can replace more formal phrases, such as 'in which' or 'at which.'
Here is a list of all the relative adverbs of place:
where
whereon (archaic)
wherein (formal)
This is the restaurant where we had out first date.
Or "this is the restaurant in which we had our first date."
This is the place where we took these photos.
These are the streets whereon we walked as young men.
I visited him in the city wherein he lives.
Relative Adverb of Reason
'Why' is a relative adverb of reason that is commonly used to introduce relative clauses that relate to the reason for something. It can replace the more formal phrase 'for which' and is used to provide additional information about the cause or motivation behind an action or event in a sentence. For example:
The reason why this has become a problem is still unknown to us.
I don't see a reason why they cannot get married.
Review
Relative adverbs introduce relative clauses that describe a noun and connect them to the main clause of the sentence. The main relative adverbs in English are:
When: refers to time
Where: refers to locations and places
Why: refers to reasons
Quiz:
Identify the sentence that uses a relative adverb incorrectly.
She explained the reason why she was late.
The café where we met is now closed.
I'll never forget the day why we first kissed.
The town where I grew up is very small.
Sort the words to form a correct sentence
Which of the following sentences correctly uses a relative adverb of reason?
I remember the place why we first met.
That's the reason why I couldn't attend the meeting.
The year why everything changed was 2010.
He didn't explain the day why he left.
Match each incomplete sentence with the correct ending.
Rewrite each sentence using a relative adverb.
"This is the lab at which I work." → "This is
."
"That was the year in which I graduated." → "That was
."
"Tell me the reason for which you resigned." → "Tell me
."
"The day on which we met was rainy." → "
was rainy."
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