Relative adverbs function in the same way as “preposition + relative pronoun.” Let us organize the four types: place, time, reason, and manner.
Basic Rules
where: After an antecedent indicating a place. It can be rewritten as in/at/on which. “This is the town where I was born.” = “...the town in which I was born.”
when: After an antecedent indicating time. “I remember the day when we first met.”
why: The antecedent is reason. “This is the reason why he was late.” Either the antecedent or why may be omitted.
how: The antecedent is the way. Do not use the way and how together. “That is how he solved the problem.” ← × the way how
The hotel where we stayed was very comfortable.
There was a time when smartphones didn't exist.
That is how she became a famous scientist.
Points to Note
① Antecedents of where: It can be used not only with place nouns but also with nouns expressing situations. “a situation where everyone agrees”
② Omission of relative adverbs: where/when/why/how can all be omitted (in informal speech).
③ Rewriting as preposition + which: where = in/at which, when = on/in/at which, why = for which
④ Note on how: the way how is incorrect. Use either the way (that) or how.
- where = an antecedent indicating place, equivalent to in/at/on which
- when = an antecedent indicating time
- why = reason as the antecedent
- how = the way as the antecedent (the way how is ×)
Practice
- Translate “She told me how she succeeded” into English using how.
- Rewrite the following using a preposition + relative pronoun: This is the place where the accident happened.
- Correct the error: I don't understand the way how she thinks.