Relative adverbs

What are the relative adverbs in English? They are; when, where and why. We use relative adverbs as ‘’joiners’’ or ‘’connectors’’ to connect phrases together. Furthermore, every relative adverb has its own purpose or role, for example,

• When: refers to time.
• Where: refers to a place or destination.
• Why: refers to the reason as to WHY something has happened.

We use the relative adverb ‘when‘ as an adverb to reference “time”

• It wasn’t long ago when I used to go to the city centre.
• It was two minutes ago I when I had been approached by the attendant.
• I remember the time when I was younger and played football.

The relative adverb ‘where‘ is used as an adverb in reference to “place”

• I told the tourist where he needed to go to see the monument.
• The islands where we met up with our friends were beautiful.
• Jamie found a place where he could finally relax.

We use the relative adverb ‘why‘ as an adverb to reference “reason” 

• We were told why they all had to leave so early last night.
• I know exactly why Oliver has been acting so strangely.
• Her constant excuses are the reason why she never managed to finish the project.

Relative adverbs with context and analysis

• Which university did you go to, Lisa?
• Well, it was a long time ago when¹ I was at university.
• Come on, let’s hear it.
• OK, well, I was lucky I had the opportunity to go to an Ivy league university called Brown University² where³ I studied mathematics.
• Mathematics? I didn’t know you studied math.
• Yes, ah, well, I don’t know exactly why⁴ I chose math. I guess when⁵ I was younger I always liked the subject, and just decided it was the sciences⁶ where I longed⁷ to go.
• Mathematics is not an easy subject, so It should have been hard to finish the degree, shouldn’t it⁸?
• Yes, it took me five years to complete the degree, although, if you have⁹ a genuine interest when you’re young it’s not hard to be good at your subject.
• Still, though, mathematics is not known to be easy.

Analysis

1. When: relative adverb that refers to time. In this particular case, the relative adverb, when is referring to the time when Lisa was at university.
2. Brown University: Both Brown and University are capitalised because they form part of the proper noun, Brown University. When university is alone, it isn’t capitalised.
3. Where: relative adverb that refers to place or destination. In this case, the place being, Brown University.
4. Why: relative adverb that refers to reason (the reason as to WHY something happened). The phrase being, ‘’I don’t know exactly’’.
5. When: relative adverb that refers to time. In this case the time being, ‘’when I was younger’’.
6. The sciences: in general, there’s two main categories of study at university; the sciences, and the humanities.
7. To long (verb): means to ‘’have a strong desire or craving for something or someone’’. 
8. It should – shouldn’t it?: example of a question tag. Remember, positive to negative and vice versa.
9. Have a genuine interest: remember, the auxiliary verb to have is used to show possession. In this case, an interest is what is being possessed.

See also