/Adverbs
A2Adverbs

Adverbs of Place

1

What is it?

Adverbs of place tell us WHERE something happens or where something is located. Common examples include: here, there, everywhere, nowhere, somewhere, anywhere, upstairs, downstairs, outside, inside, abroad, away, back, home. These adverbs usually go at the END of a sentence, after the verb or verb + object. Understanding the difference between similar pairs like here/there and somewhere/anywhere is essential.

2

How to form it

SubjectPositiveNegativeQuestion
Here (near speaker)Come hereDon't come hereIs it here?
There (away from speaker)Go thereDon't go thereIs it there?
Everywhere (all places)I looked everywhereI didn't look everywhereDid you look everywhere?
Somewhere (unknown place)It's somewhere in the housenot commonIs it somewhere near?
Anywhere (any place)not commonI can't find it anywhereCan you go anywhere?
Direction/locationShe went upstairsShe didn't go upstairsDid she go upstairs?
  • • Position: usually at the end → Come here / Go upstairs / Live abroad
  • • Here vs There: here = near speaker, there = away from speaker
  • • Somewhere: positive statements and offers → It's somewhere / Would you like to go somewhere?
  • • Anywhere: negatives and questions → I can't find it anywhere / Can you go anywhere?
  • • Everywhere: all places → I looked everywhere
  • • Nowhere: no place (negative meaning) → There's nowhere to go
  • • Common direction words: up, down, in, out, away, back, forward, ahead
3

When to use it

  1. 1

    Here vs There — here = close to speaker, there = away from speaker

    "Come here!" (to me) / "Go there!" (away) / "Put it here." / "She lives there."

  2. 2

    Somewhere — positive statements and offers

    "It's somewhere in my room." / "Let's go somewhere nice." / "He lives somewhere in London."

  3. 3

    Anywhere — negatives and questions

    "I can't find it anywhere." / "Can you see it anywhere?" / "Don't go anywhere!"

  4. 4

    Everywhere — all places, comprehensive search

    "I looked everywhere." / "There are tourists everywhere." / "She travels everywhere."

  5. 5

    Direction adverbs — movement or position

    "Go upstairs." / "Come inside." / "She moved abroad." / "Walk forward."

4

Common mistakes

I can't find it somewhere.

I can't find it anywhere.

Use 'anywhere' in negative sentences, not 'somewhere'.

Come there!

Come here!

'Come' typically goes with 'here' (toward speaker), not 'there'.

I looked nowhere.

I looked everywhere. / I didn't look anywhere.

'Nowhere' means 'no place' - use 'everywhere' for comprehensive search.

She lives in abroad.

She lives abroad.

'Abroad' is an adverb, don't use 'in' before it.

5

Quick reference

  • Tell us WHERE something happens (answer 'Where?')
  • Position: usually at the end of the sentence
  • Here: near speaker (Come here!) / There: away (Go there!)
  • Somewhere: positive statements (It's somewhere in my room)
  • Anywhere: negatives and questions (Can't find it anywhere)
  • Everywhere: all places (I looked everywhere)
  • Common: upstairs, downstairs, outside, inside, abroad, away, back
6

Natural conversation example

Friends looking for lost keys

T

Tom

I can't find my keys anywhere!
L

Lisa

Did you look everywhere?
T

Tom

Yes! I looked upstairs and downstairs.
L

Lisa

Maybe you left them somewhere outside?
T

Tom

I don't think so. Come here and help me look.
L

Lisa

Wait, are they there on the table?
T

Tom

Oh! Yes! They were here the whole time!

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct adverb of place.

  1. 1.
    Come ! (to speaker)
  2. 2.
    Go ! (away from speaker)
  3. 3.
    I can't find it . (negative)
  4. 4.
    It's in the house. (positive)
  5. 5.
    I looked . (all places)
  6. 6.
    She went . (upper floor)
Adverbs of TimeAll TopicsAdverbs of Degree

Now use Adverbs of Place in real conversation

Grammar sticks when you use it out loud. Practise with an AI tutor who gives you instant feedback.

Speak with AI Tutor