Nearby

Question

Sir, 1.His hiding palce is nearby. "nearby" is here an adjective or an  adverb, because "nearby" functions as an "adjective" and an "adverb" as well.How to recognize it. Thanks.

Casi · Accepted Answer

If it answers the question Where?, it's an adverb. Like this,

Adverb Test
Q: Where is his hiding place?
A: It's nearby. (Adverb)

It it modifies a noun, then it's an adjective. Like this,

Adjective Test
Q: What kind of hiding place?
A: A hiding place that is nearby. Note, the entire phrase 'that is nearby' functions as an attributive adjective, but 'nearby' remains an adverb--remember: it answers the question Where?. Now, if we alter the word order, like this, "a nearby hiding place", we turn 'nearby' into an attributive adjective.

In the case of predicative adjectives, or adjectives that come after a form of the verb BE, if the word answers the question Where? or When?, it's an adverb, and not an adjective:

1. She is nice. (What kind of person is she?) 'nice' is an adjective
2. The book is wonderful. (What kind of book is it?) 'wonderful' is an adjective.
3. It is nearby. (Where is it?) Adverb
4. It is close. (Where is it?) Adverb

Nearby

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