Year 5 English: Use Relative Adverbs

What are Relative Adverbs?

Relative adverbs are special words that help us make our sentences more interesting by linking them together. They give more information about a noun (a person, place, or thing) and help us understand when or where something happens. The three main relative adverbs are where, when, and why.

Examples

• Where: “This is the park where I play.”
  • (The word “where” tells us more about the park.)
• When: “I remember the day when we went to the zoo.”
  • (The word “when” tells us more about the day.)
• Why: “I know the reason why he is sad.”
  • (The word “why” tells us more about the reason.)

Key Rules

1. Use them to add information: Relative adverbs help us to explain more about a noun in the sentence.
2. Position in a sentence: Usually, relative adverbs come right after the noun they describe.
3. Commas: If the information is extra and not needed to understand the sentence, use commas. For example: “My brother, who is older than me, plays football.”

Tips and Tricks

• Remember the three main relative adverbs: where, when, and why.
• Practice by making sentences: Try using these words in sentences about your life.
• Think of questions: Ask yourself “Where?” “When?” or “Why?” to help you use relative adverbs correctly.

Questions

Easy Level (1-20)

1. What is a relative adverb?
2. Give an example of a sentence using “where.”
3. Write a sentence using “when.”
4. How does “why” help in a sentence?
5. Write a sentence using “where” about your school.
6. What does “when” tell us in a sentence?
7. Create a sentence using “why” about your favourite game.
8. What do relative adverbs help us do?
9. Which relative adverb would you use for a place?
10. Fill in the blank: “That is the shop _____ I buy my sweets.”
11. Fill in the blank: “Do you remember the time _____ we had a picnic?”
12. Fill in the blank: “I know the reason _____ I am late.”
13. True or False: Relative adverbs are only used for people.
14. What relative adverb would you use to talk about time?
15. Give an example of a sentence using “when.”
16. Write about a place using “where.”
17. Create a question using “why.”
18. What does “where” refer to in a sentence?
19. Fill in the blank: “This is the house _____ I grew up.”
20. Choose the right word: “The moment _____ I saw the movie was amazing.”

Medium Level (21-40)

21. Explain the difference between “where” and “when.”
22. Write a complex sentence using “where.”
23. Give an example of “when” in a question.
24. What is the role of “why” in a sentence?
25. Write a sentence that includes both “where” and “when.”
26. Can you use “why” to introduce a new idea? Give an example.
27. Fill in the blank: “She told me the place _____ we should meet.”
28. Write a sentence with a relative adverb and a comma.
29. How can you tell if a sentence needs a relative adverb?
30. Write a story that includes “where” and “when.”
31. Create a sentence using “why” to explain a choice.
32. What is one way to practice using relative adverbs?
33. Fill in the blank: “The year _____ I was born was 2010.”
34. What can “where” help you describe?
35. Write a question about an event using “when.”
36. Fill in the blank: “Tell me the reason _____ you love summer.”
37. Write a complex sentence using “where” and “when.”
38. True or False: “When” can be used to describe a place.
39. What type of noun usually follows a relative adverb?
40. Create a sentence using “why” to discuss a decision.

Hard Level (41-60)

41. Why are relative adverbs important in writing?
42. Write a paragraph about a holiday using at least two relative adverbs.
43. Give an example of a sentence that could change meaning without a relative adverb.
44. How does the use of commas change the meaning in sentences with relative adverbs?
45. Write a complex sentence about your hometown using “where.”
46. How can you identify the noun that a relative adverb describes?
47. Fill in the blank: “The moment _____ I realized I was wrong, I apologised.”
48. Write a sentence using “when” about a historical event.
49. Create a sentence that discusses a reason using “why.”
50. What is the effect of using relative adverbs on the clarity of writing?
51. Choose a relative adverb and write three different sentences with it.
52. Create a dialogue that includes all three relative adverbs.
53. Fill in the blank: “Can you remember the day _____ we first met?”
54. How would the sentence change if you removed the relative adverb?
55. Write a riddle that includes a relative adverb.
56. Fill in the blank: “This is the cafe _____ I always come to.”
57. Write a comparison between “where” and “why” in their usage.
58. How can using relative adverbs improve storytelling?
59. Create a sentence using “why” to clarify a misunderstanding.
60. Write a summary of what you learned about relative adverbs.

Answers

Easy Level Answers

1. A word that connects a sentence and gives more information.
2. “This is the park where I play.”
3. “I remember the day when we went to the zoo.”
4. It tells us more about the reason.
5. “This is the school where I learn.”
6. It tells us about the time something happened.
7. “I know the reason why I like ice cream.”
8. They help us explain more about nouns.
9. “Where” is used for places.
10. “That is the shop where I buy my sweets.”
11. “Do you remember the time when we had a picnic?”
12. “I know the reason why I am late.”
13. False.
14. “When.”
15. “I remember the day when it snowed.”
16. “The library is the place where I study.”
17. “Why do you like that book?”
18. It refers to a location.
19. “This is the house where I grew up.”
20. “The moment when I saw the movie was amazing.”

Medium Level Answers

21. “Where” refers to place, and “when” refers to time.
22. “The garden is the place where I play.”
23. “When did you start school?”
24. It explains the reason for something.
25. “I remember the day when we met at the park where we first played.”
26. Yes, “Why” can introduce a new idea. Example: “I understand why she did that.”
27. “She told me the place where we should meet.”
28. “My cat, who is very fluffy, loves to sleep.”
29. If you want to give more information about a noun.
30. “Last summer, I went to the beach where we had fun when the sun was shining.”
31. “I chose to play outside because I know why it’s important to be active.”
32. By writing sentences with them.
33. “The year when I was born was 2010.”
34. It helps describe locations.
35. “When is your birthday?”
36. “Tell me the reason why you chose that.”
37. “The house where I live is beautiful, when the flowers bloom.”
38. False.
39. A noun that describes a person, place, or thing.
40. “Why did you choose to travel?”

Hard Level Answers

41. They help make sentences clearer and more detailed.
42. Answers will vary.
43. Answers will vary. Example: “The day I won the race is special.”
44. Commas can show that the information is extra.
45. “My hometown is the place where I grew up.”
46. It usually follows the noun it describes.
47. “The moment when I realised I was wrong, I apologised.”
48. “The day when the Titanic sank was tragic.”
49. “I understand why you are upset.”
50. They make writing clearer and more informative.
51. Answers will vary.
52. Answers will vary.
53. “Can you remember the day when we first met?”
54. The sentence may lose important information.
55. Answers will vary.
56. “This is the cafe where I always come to.”
57. “Where” describes a place, while “why” explains a reason.
58. They add depth and detail to stories.
59. “I was confused about the project, which is why I asked for help.”
60. Answers will vary.

This guide should help you understand and use relative adverbs better. Happy writing!