Introduction
A relative adverb is an adverb (where, when, or why) that introduces a relative clause, which is sometimes called a relative adverb clause.
They replace the more formal structure of preposition + which used to introduce a relative clause.
Please see "Relative Clause" section for more in formation.
Examples
- That's the restaurant where we met for the first time. = That's the restaurant in which we met for the first time.
(where = at/in which)
- I remember the day when we first met. = I remember the day on which we first met.
(when = on which)
- There was a very hot summer the year when he was born. = There was a very hot summer the year in which he was born.
(when = in which)
- Tell me (the reason) why you were late home. = Tell me the reason for which you came home late.
(why = for which, but could replace the whole phrase 'the reason for which')
When
First, let's consider the relative adverb "when." What it really means is "in which." However, "in which" takes to take on a slightly more formal tone, which is where relative adverbs come in. "When" allows us to understand the time in which an action took place, in a less formal manner.
- Gone are the days when I could stay up all night.
- The 50s were a time when the family unit was largely intact.
- That's the year when we got married.
Where
The relative adverb "where" is used to communicate "in which" or "at which." Again, these are slightly formal phrases. "Where" allows us to understand the location of the subject of the sentence, in a less formal manner.
- We danced by the table where we could see the view.
- This is the coffee shop where we'll find the best cup o' joe.
- This is the garden where they took their photos.