Relative Adverbs: A Detailed Study
In English grammar, relative adverbs are words used to introduce relative clauses while giving additional information about place, time, reason, or manner. Unlike relative pronouns, relative adverbs do not replace nouns. Instead, they modify verbs or whole clauses.
They link a main clause to a subordinate clause and refer back to an idea already mentioned.
The Main Relative Adverbs
- Where – refers to place
- When – refers to time
- Why – refers to reason
- How – refers to manner
Explanation and Examples
1. WHERE – Relative Adverb of Place
Where is used to refer to a place mentioned earlier in the sentence.
- This is the school where I studied.
- The house where he was born still stands.
- That is the village where my grandparents live.
Where can often be replaced with in which.
Example:
This is the school where I studied.
→ This is the school in which I studied.
2. WHEN – Relative Adverb of Time
When refers to time or period.
- I remember the day when we first met.
- There was a time when people valued honesty.
- That was the moment when everything changed.
Example:
I remember the day when we met.
→ I remember the day on which we met.
3. WHY – Relative Adverb of Reason
Why explains the reason for something and usually follows the noun reason.
- That is the reason why he resigned.
- I don’t understand the reason why she cried.
Often, why may be omitted:
That is the reason (why) he left.
Example:
That is the reason why he left.
→ That is the reason for which he left.
4. HOW – Relative Adverb of Manner
How refers to the way or manner something is done. It normally follows the noun way.
- Show me the way how you solved the problem.
- I like the way how she speaks.
In formal grammar, how is often replaced by that or omitted:
- Show me the way you solved the problem.
Relative Adverbs vs Relative Pronouns
Relative Pronouns replace nouns:
- who
- whom
- whose
- which
- that
Example:
The boy who won the race is my friend.
Relative Adverbs do NOT replace nouns:
- where – place
- when – time
- why – reason
- how – manner
Example:
This is the town where I grew up.
Replacement with Preposition + Which
Relative adverbs can often be replaced using which with a preposition:
- This is the school where I studied.
→ This is the school in which I studied. - I remember the day when we met.
→ I remember the day on which we met. - That is the reason why he left.
→ That is the reason for which he left.
Common Learner Errors
Error 1: Calling relative adverbs relative pronouns.
Correction: They are relative adverbs.
Error 2:
The reason why he left is because he was tired.
Correct:
- The reason why he left is that he was tired.
- He left because he was tired.
Summary
- Where – place
- When – time
- Why – reason
- How – manner
Relative adverbs introduce relative clauses, refer back to earlier ideas, modify verbs or clauses, and do not replace nouns.
KCSE Exam Tip
If the word refers to place, time, reason, or manner, it is a relative adverb. If it replaces a noun, it is a relative pronoun.
