What are relative adverbs? The three most common relative adverbs in English

Relative adverbs are one of the most important grammar items in English. How many common relative adverbs are there? What is their structure like and how are they used? In this article, PREP will help you better understand this grammatical aspect!

I. What is a relative adverb?

Relative adverbs in English express the relationship or connection between different parts of a sentence. They help establish relationships regarding time, space, quantity, reason, manner, condition, purpose, and comparison within a sentence. 

There are three common relative adverbs, which are When, Where, and Why. Below are some relative adverb examples: 

• I always remember the time when I lived with my grandparents.
• Do you know the street where a famous restaurant is located? 
• I really don’t know the reason why you chose that option. 

II. The usage and formula of relative adverbs

Below is PREP’s analysis on the usage and formula of the list of relative adverbs for your most accurate application.

1. “When”

"when" is used to express time within a sentence. It indicates the timing of when an event occurred or was established. Below is an explanation of how to use and apply "when", which PREP would like to introduce to you:

For example:

• Gone are the days when I could stay up all night to study. 
• I always remember the time when I lived with my grandparents 

2. “Where”

"where" is used to indicate a place, location, or position within a sentence. It helps specify the location or place where an event took place. Below are some examples of how to use and apply "where" - please read carefully:

For example: 

• I will meet you at the park where we usually go for walks. 
• I love living in a city where there are so many cultural events. 

The usage of “where” in relative clauses. The structure is as follows:

Relative clause + where + main clause 

• You can go to that supermarket where you can buy vegetables 
• Do you remember the restaurant where we had our first date? 

3. “Why”

"why" is used to express reasons or causes within a sentence. It helps explain the reason why an event occurred. Below are some examples of using and applying "why":

• She missed the train, and that’s why she arrived late. 
• Her mass of library of books is the reason why she’s so well-spoken. 

III. Notes on relative adverbs in English

Here are some important points to pay attention to when learning relative adverbs to avoid mistakes in usage and losing marks on tests:

In addition to the structures and usages explained above, we can also use prepositions/phrases + "which" to create sentences with equivalent meanings to when using the relative adverbs "when", "where", and "why".

IV. Relative Adverbs vs. Relative Pronouns: Know the Difference!

Understanding the distinction between relative adverbs and relative pronouns prevents common grammatical errors and enhances your ability to choose the most appropriate connector for each situation. The fundamental difference lies in their grammatical roles: relative adverbs modify verbs by providing information about time, place, or reason, while relative pronouns replace nouns and serve as subjects or objects within dependent clauses.

V. Avoid These Common Relative Adverb Mistakes

Even experienced writers occasionally stumble when using relative adverbs, particularly in complex sentences or formal writing contexts. Recognizing these common errors helps you avoid embarrassing mistakes while developing confidence in your grammatical choices and written expression.

1. Mixing Up "Where," "When," and "Why"

The most frequent error involves confusing the specific functions of each relative adverb, particularly in contexts where multiple interpretations seem possible. Incorrect usage appears in sentences like "The period where dinosaurs lived" (should be "when") or "The reason when she left" (should be "why"). These mistakes occur because writers focus on general connection rather than specific grammatical function.

2. Forgetting Commas in Nonessential Clauses

Comma placement with relative adverb clauses follows specific rules based on whether the information is essential or nonessential to the sentence meaning. Essential clauses, which provide information necessary for sentence meaning, do not use commas. For example: "The year when I graduated was memorable" (essential) versus "2015, when I graduated, was memorable" (nonessential).

3. Prepositions with Relative Adverbs? Sometimes!

While relative adverbs typically function independently, certain contexts require accompanying prepositions for complete meaning or idiomatic expression. Examples include "the era during when" (formal usage) or "the place from where" (emphasizing origin). However, these constructions often sound awkward in modern English, making simpler alternatives like "the era when" or "the place where" more appropriate.

VI. Exercises on relative adverbs with detailed answers

Exercise 1: Choose the correct answer

1. ___ did you arrive at the airport last night?
   1. When
   2. Where
   3. Why
2. Do you remember the restaurant ___  we had our first date?
   1. When
   2. Where
   3. Why
3.  ___  did you choose that restaurant for dinner?
   1. When
   2. Where
   3. Why
4.  ___  you finish your homework, we can go out with your friends
   1. When
   2. Where
   3. Why
5.  ___  I was a child, I used to play soccer every day.
   1. When
   2. Where
   3. Why
6. I will meet you at the park  ___  we usually go for walks.
   1. When
   2. Where
   3. Why
7. I was in high school  ___  I first met my best friend
   1. When
   2. Where
   3. Why
8. Can you tell me  ___  you made that decision?
   1. When
   2. Where
   3. Why
9. I will meet you at the café  ___  we had our first date.
   1. When
   2. Where
   3. Why
10.  ___  is she upset? What happened?
    1. When
    2. Where
    3. Why

Keys:

• A
• B
• C
• A
• A
• B
• A
• C
• B
• C

Exercise 2: Fill in the blanks with the appropriate relative adverb (where, when, why).

1. This is the restaurant __________ we had our first date.
2. Do you remember the day __________ we went to the beach?
3. Can you tell me the reason __________ she resigned from her job?

Keys:

1. This is the restaurant where we had our first date. ➡ "Where" is used to refer to a place or location. In this sentence, it introduces the location of the restaurant where the first date took place.
2. Do you remember the day when we went to the beach? ➡ "When" is used to refer to a specific point in time or an occasion. In this sentence, it introduces the time when the speaker and the listener went to the beach.
3. Can you tell me the reason why she resigned from her job? ➡ "Why" is used to introduce a reason or explanation. In this sentence, it introduces the reason for her resignation from her job.

In this article, PREP has introduced to you all the information about relative adverbs. Hopefully, Preppies can gain a lot of new knowledge from this article. Don't forget to follow PREP regularly for many new and interesting updates!