Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. What Are Adverbs of Place?
  3. Common Adverbs of Place
  4. Position of Adverbs of Place in a Sentence
  5. Using Adverbs of Place Correctly
  6. Common Mistakes with Adverbs of Place
  7. Adverbs of Place Exercises
  8. Answers
  9. Conclusion

Introduction

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on adverbs of place in English! Adverbs of place are words that tell us where something happens. They provide more information about the location of an action, making your communication clearer and more precise.

This guide is designed specifically for ESL students. We’ll explain what adverbs of place are, provide lists of common examples, discuss where to place them in a sentence, and show you how to use them correctly. We’ll also highlight common mistakes and offer exercises to help you practise. By the end of this guide, you’ll feel confident using adverbs of place in your everyday English conversations and writing.

What Are Adverbs of Place?

Adverbs of place modify verbs to provide information about where an action occurs. They answer the question “where?” and can indicate direction, distance, position, and movement.

  • She looked everywhere for her keys.
  • The children are playing outside.
  • He moved forward to get a better view.

Common Adverbs of Place

Here are some of the most commonly used adverbs of place:

  • Here
  • There
  • Everywhere
  • Somewhere
  • Anywhere
  • Nowhere
  • Inside
  • Outside
  • Upstairs
  • Downstairs
  • Nearby
  • Away
  • Above
  • Below
  • Around
  • Forward
  • Backward
  • Home

Position of Adverbs of Place in a Sentence

Adverbs of place are typically placed after the main verb or after the object if there is one.

  • They live nearby.
  • She put the book downstairs.

If the verb has an object, the adverb comes after the object:

  • He drove the car home.
  • She took the children outside.

Using Adverbs of Place Correctly

Adverbs of place can indicate various aspects of location and movement.

Indicating Position

  • The cat is hiding somewhere in the house.
  • Please come here.

Indicating Direction

  • They walked forward to the stage.
  • She looked upwards at the sky.

Indicating Distance

  • The store is nearby.
  • He moved away after graduation.

Using “Here” and “There”

“Here” refers to the place where the speaker is, while “there” refers to a different place.

  • Come here and see this!
  • She lives there, across the street.

Common Mistakes with Adverbs of Place

1. Misplacing the Adverb

❌ She put down the bag there.

✅ She put the bag down there.

Tip: Place the adverb of place after the object if there is one.

2. Confusing “Here” and “There”

❌ Please bring the documents there.

✅ Please bring the documents here.

Tip: Use “here” for the speaker’s location, “there” for other locations.

3. Overusing Adverbs of Place

❌ They went outside to play outside.

✅ They went outside to play.

Tip: Avoid repeating the same adverb unnecessarily.

4. Using Prepositions Instead of Adverbs

❌ She looked at upwards.

✅ She looked upwards.

Tip: Do not add prepositions before adverbs of place unless necessary.

5. Incorrect Use of “Home”

❌ He went to home early.

✅ He went home early.

Tip: Do not use “to” before “home” when it functions as an adverb.

Adverbs of Place Exercises

Now it’s time to practise! Complete the following exercises to test your understanding of adverbs of place.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Choose the correct adverb of place from the list to complete each sentence: (here, there, outside, upstairs, somewhere)

  1. The children are playing _______ in the garden.
  2. I can’t find my glasses; they must be _______ around the house.
  3. Come _______ and sit down.
  4. She heard a noise _______.
  5. They moved _______ to a bigger apartment.

Exercise 2: Correct the Mistakes

Identify and correct the mistakes in the following sentences.

  1. He went to outside to smoke.
  2. Please bring your luggage over here.
  3. She looked at backwards to wave goodbye.
  4. The bookstore is near from here.
  5. They put down their bags there.

Exercise 3: Rewrite the Sentences

Rewrite the sentences placing the adverb of place in the correct position.

  1. He ran (home).
  2. They are sitting (outside) the café.
  3. She walked (forward) to the stage.
  4. The kids are playing (upstairs).
  5. We found the keys (nowhere).

Exercise 4: Choose the Correct Option

Select the correct adverb of place to complete each sentence.

  1. They searched _______ for the missing dog. (everywhere / anywhere)
  2. Let’s go _______ else; it’s too crowded here. (somewhere / nowhere)
  3. She lives _______ the city. (nearby / backward)
  4. He stepped _______ to let her pass. (aside / upwards)
  5. Is there a bank _______? (here / over)

Exercise 5: Write Sentences

Use the given adverbs of place to write sentences.

  1. Above
  2. Below
  3. Around
  4. Somewhere
  5. Nearby

Answers

Exercise 1

  1. The children are playing outside in the garden.
  2. I can’t find my glasses; they must be somewhere around the house.
  3. Come here and sit down.
  4. She heard a noise upstairs.
  5. They moved there to a bigger apartment.

Exercise 2

  1. He went outside to smoke.
  2. Please bring your luggage here.
  3. She looked backwards to wave goodbye.
  4. The bookstore is nearby.
  5. They put their bags down there.

Exercise 3

  1. He ran home.
  2. They are sitting outside the café.
  3. She walked forward to the stage.
  4. The kids are playing upstairs.
  5. We found the keys nowhere.

Exercise 4

  1. They searched everywhere for the missing dog.
  2. Let’s go somewhere else; it’s too crowded here.
  3. She lives nearby the city.
  4. He stepped aside to let her pass.
  5. Is there a bank nearby?

Exercise 5

Your sentences may vary. Here are some examples:

  1. The birds were flying above.
  2. The basement is below.
  3. They looked around for a place to eat.
  4. She must be somewhere in the building.
  5. There’s a park nearby.

Conclusion

Understanding and using adverbs of place correctly is essential for expressing location and movement in English. By familiarising yourself with common adverbs of place and practising their placement in sentences, you’ll enhance your communication skills significantly.

If you have any questions, thoughts, or would like to share your own sentences using adverbs of place, please leave a comment below. Happy learning!

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