'where' as a conjunction and a relative adverb

[wotcha]

1. This is the hospital where I was born.

2. Put it back where you found it.

'Where' in sentence 1 is a relative adverb.
Then, is 'where' in sentence 2 a conjunction or a relative adverb?
???

Thank you so much in advance.

[BobK]

Relative: 'Put it back [in the place] where you found it'. (There are teachers who would prefer 'in whch' there; I don't.

b

[philo2009]

Afraid I must disagree with Bob on this: although one could plausibly argue that the second example derives from an ellipted construction in which 'where' figured as a relative adverb, as used independently in this sentence position, it would be judged by most grammarians a conjunction.

One argument in support of this position would be that, if such a relative adverb to conjunction ellipsis were systematically possible in English, we would expect to be able similarly to expand e.g.

It happened how these things always happen: suddenly and unexpectedly.

(with 'how' standing informally for 'as')

back into

*It happened (in) the way how these things always happen...

[BobK]

So would you call it a conjunction then (the other option we were offered) - I'd really like to know, and so, presumably, would wotcha.

b

[philo2009]

Yes, I most certainly would!

[5jj]

Traditional grammar tells us:

Interrogative adverb:
Where have they gone?
When do you expect them to leave?
Ask him where he lives.
I do not know when he will come

Relative Adverb:
This is the house where I live.
I shall always remember the day when we first met.

Subordinating conjunction:
Put the milk where the cat cannot get at it.
Come when you like.

Last example from COD (1999). All other examples from Wood, Frederick T (1954) The Groundwork of English Grammar, London: Macmillan