RELATIVE ADVERBS

Asking “when,” “where,” or “why” questions are among the most common approaches of getting more information. What time are we leaving? What are our plans? What are we doing here? Relative adverbs can help you answer these problems in English. 

Though relative adverbs are often thought to be simple structures but are tricky due to language differences and stylistic complications. These adverbs introduce clauses that describe when, where, why, and how something happened.Parts of Subject and predicate (that include definite verb) structures that perform the grammatical functions of an adverb modifier are referred to as relative adverbs in dependent clauses. Consider the following sentence: This is where I was born. The relative adverb “where” sets the tone for the entire sentence divided into clauses. 

RELATIVE ADVERBS

There are three relative adverbs in the English language: “where,” “when,” and “why.” Since they alter adjectives or verbs, they have an adverbial function. Noun phrases or nouns can be modified by adjectives. 

Consider the following statement: “The place where I get my supplies is closing.” Since it refers to the noun phrase “the place”, the sentence “where I get my supplies” is a relative adjective clause. The term “where” is a relative adverb in and of itself. Dependent clauses include adverb clauses and adjective clauses (or subordinate clauses). This means they wouldn’t be able to stand alone as complete sentences. They occur in complex statements, separated by a comma from independent clauses. A relative adverb is an adverb that precedes a relative clause. When, where, how, whatever, anywhere, and so on are some examples. Look over the sentences below.

This is the place where we met

When I was little I used to play football.

The mother knew why the baby was crying

Since they initiate the relative clauses that follow immediately, the words where, when, why, and how are relative adverbs. Relative adverbs function as subjects or objects within relative clauses while also connecting relative clauses to nouns or pronouns in other clauses, similar to conjunctions.

THE RELATIVE ADVERB: WHEN

Let’s start with the relative adverb “when.”  In some cases, it implies time- “in which”. At other times, “when” refers to the time when a situation or action took place.

It was 12 pm when the guests arrived.

The 1950s were indeed a time when most families were still intact.

That was the year when we tied the knot.

THE RELATIVE ADVERB: WHERE

“Where” is a relative adverb that means place – “at which” . These are slightly formal sentences. Basically, “where” allows us to comprehend the position of the sentence’s subject.

The college from where I graduated is rebuilding.

This is the place where we’ll get the nicest cup of coffee.

This is the park where I met my friend for the first time.

THE RELATIVE ADVERB: WHY

‘Why’ is the relative adverb that adds to the explanation of ‘why something happened or will happen? In a sentence, it replaces the clauses ‘the reason by which’ or ‘for which’.

I have no clue why my friends bailed on me.

The best coffee is the reason why this place is crowded.

She asked her teacher why can’t use the alternate method to solve the question 

CONCLUSION

Although relative adverbs are often thought to be simple structures in English, many learners find them difficult to learn to use due to language differences and stylistic complications. To connect phrases, we apply relative adverbs called “joiners” or “connectors.” When, where, and why are the most common relative adverbs in English. Each relative adverb serves a distinct purpose or has a distinct meaning. When: refers to the passage of time. The term “where” refers to a specific location or destination. Why: Refers to the cause for something’s occurrence.