Adverbs of Place in English: Meaning, Types, and Examples

This reference explains the correct usage of adverbs of place in English. It distinguishes adverbs of place from prepositions and prepositional phrases, with clear definitions and accurate examples.

Adverbs of Place

Adverbs of place are words that modify verbs by indicating location or direction. They answer the question “Where?” and do not require a noun or object after them.

Examples:

• Please come in.
• They are outside.
• She lives abroad.

When a word such as in, on, or under is followed by a noun, it functions as a preposition, not an adverb.

Adverbs of Place vs Prepositions

Category	Key Feature	Correct Example
Adverbs of Place	No noun follows	Please come in.
Prepositions of Place	Must be followed by a noun or pronoun	He is in the room.

List of Common Adverbs of Place

The following are true adverbs of place that stand alone without an object:

• Here
• There
• Inside
• Outside
• Indoors
• Outdoors
• Abroad
• Elsewhere
• Nearby
• Somewhere
• Anywhere
• Everywhere
• Nowhere
• Away
• Upstairs
• Downstairs

Directional Adverbs

Directional adverbs describe movement or direction and often end in -ward or -wards.

• Forward
• Backward
• Upward
• Downward
• Northward / Northwards
• Southward / Southwards

Examples:

• Please move forward.
• The ship sailed westward.

Incorrect Classifications to Avoid

The following are not adverbs of place:

• Prepositional phrases: in front of, on top of, around the corner
• Adverbs of manner: quickly, slowly, smoothly, clumsily
• Linking adverbs: above all (meaning “most importantly”)

Examples:

• The bakery is around the corner. (prepositional phrase)
• The dog ran quickly. (adverb of manner)
• Above all, be kind. (linking adverb)

Position of Adverbs of Place in a Sentence

Beginning of a Sentence

• Here comes the bus.
• There goes the airplane.

End of a Sentence

• She waited outside.
• The children are playing upstairs.

Adverbs of place rarely appear in the middle of a sentence.

Examples of Adverbs of Place in Sentences

• I am here now.
• The park is over there.
• The store is nearby.
• The cat is inside.
• My office is upstairs.
• She looked everywhere.

Last Updated on January 21, 2026