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Adverb Clause
# dependent Clause
# Used as an adverb
# where, when, how, why, to what extent, or under what conditions
# introduced by subordinating conjunctions such as – if, because, before, than, as, so that,
while, where, when, as if and since
Examples

1. They checked their gear before they started the climb. (modifies – verb checked)

2. They were cautious because ice made the trails slippery. (modifies adj – cautious)

1. Adverbial Clauses of time:

when, whenever, while, as, as soon as , as long as, till, until, since, after, before, hardly….when,
no sooner….than

When

 Simultaneous: When the cat is away, the mice will play.

 Follow each other: I’ll ring you up when I come home.

Whenever – general meaning

 Whenever we meet we stop to have a chat.

While – denotes a continuous activity

 While she was waiting for the train, she read a magazine.
 While I was mowing the lawn he came up to me.
 Expressing contrast – John is a small sickly child while his sister has grown a tall,
strong girl.
 While we agree with most of what he says, we cannot stand his manners.

As – normally introduces a clause in which the action is in progress – refers to past action only

 Simultaneity – His eyes glittered as he looked at his new car.

 Gradual development – As night came on, the wind calmed down.
 Action of the main clause immediately follows that of the subordinate clause –
o Just as he neared the corner, a little girl jumped directly in front of the car.

As soon as – action in subordinate and in the main clause closely follow each other

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 As soon as we received your telegram, we prepared the goods for shipment.

 For inversion in the same cases we use – no sooner --- than and Hardly ----when

As long as

 I’ll never eat oysters as long as I live.

Till/Until – denotes the concluding moment of the action expressed in the main clause; until is
usually preferred when the subordinate clause precedes the main clause:

 He stood thunderstruck till the danger was past.

 Until she learns to behave we won’t invite her to our parties.

2. Place – where, wherever, anywhere

Where –

 The place of the action- I found the bag where I left it.
 The direction of the action – He went where the doctor sent him.

Wherever – general sense

 Wherever he went he was welcome.

3. Reason – because, as, since, seeing that, that, now that, on the grounds that, for the
reason that

Because – introducing a clause of cause or reason

 The pilot had to descend because he was short of fuel.

 Because the student was 20 minutes late, he didn’t dare to enter the lecture theatre.
 After the emphatic it is, it was – It is because you got up so late that you missed the
bus.

As/Since – the emphasis is not so much on the reason as on the result expressed in the main
clause:

 As it was raining, we stayed indoors all day.

 Since the girl was very shy too, the young couple sat in silence.

Seeing that

 Seeing that his wife was not well, he postponed his journey.

Now that

 Now that you are well again you will have to make up for lost time.

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On the grounds that

 He resigned from his job on the grounds that he was in poor health.

For the simple reason that

 We couldn’t go to the concert for the simple reason that we hadn’t got tickets.

In that

 He is like his father in that he is fond of sailing.

Purpose – in order that, for the purpose that, so that, so as to, lest

 I spoke louder in order that everybody might hear me.

 I posted the letter immediately so that you should get it before your departure.

4. Condition - if, if only, so long as, suppose, supposing, provided, providing,

on condition, on the understanding, unless, in case…

If is the most common conditional subordinator; it may also have the meaning of:

 whenever: If I make a promise, I keep it.

 as, since, because: If the children haven’t eaten, they must be hungry.

If only is mostly used in exclamations:

 If only I were able to pass this exam!!!

So long as often has more conditional than temporal force, nearly equivalent to if only:

 Nothing matters, so long as you stick to your ideals.

Suppose that, supposing that are used to make a supposition about future or the past:

 Suppose / Supposing that you told her the truth, what would she do?
 Suppose / Supposing that you had told her the truth, what would she have done?

Unless is used for a negative condition and has the same meaning as if… not

 You won’t catch the train unless you take a taxi.

 Unless she studies harder, she won’t pass the exam.

In case introduces a possibility against which a precaution is needed in advance

 You’d better take an umbrella with you in case it rains later on.

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5. Concession - denote some obstacle which does not prevent the realization of the
action expressed in the main clause; they answer the question In spite of what?; they are
introduced by the following subordinators:

Although, though

 Although they had done all they could, they failed to complete the project on time.
 Although it was cold and rainy, we enjoyed the trip.

For all

 For all your arguments you won’t convince me.

 I am still very fond of him for all you say against him.

Even if

 Even if you offered him a million, you still could not bribe him.
 I cannot be angry with him, even if I try.

Whether… or

 Your father won’t raise any objection whether you take only a part-time job or you stop
working altogether in order to finish your studies.

Whereas

 Whereas she never openly disagrees with her husband, she never hesitates to tell him
what is on her mind when they are at home.

While (only in initial position)

 While he has an expert knowledge on his subject, he cannot explain it clearly to others.

Whoever (whatever)

 Whoever else lets you down, I’ll remain true.

 Whatever you may do, he will always grumble.
 No matter how much money he earns, his wife is never satisfied.

6. Manner –express the manner in which an action is done; they answer the
question how; they are introduced by the subordinators: as, as if, but:

As

 They keep the house as it was in the poet’s lifetime.

 Things turned out just as I had predicted.

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As if (as though) – expresses a supposed present or past fact ; the subjunctive were or the modal

past tense or the modal past perfect is used

 He spends his money as if he were rich.

 She could remember it as if it were yesterday.
 He had red eyes as if he had been crying.

Like

 It rained like it would never stop.

But – occurs in formal style after a negative main clause:

 I never pass that house but I think of the happy days we spent in it.

7. Comparison
As

 She was as friendly as she had ever been (postmodifier in adj. phrase)
 His brothers work as hard as he does (postmodifier in adv. phrase)

Than

 This metal is heavier than you may imagine.(postmodifier in adj. phrase)

 This is a heavier metal than you may imagine. (postmodifier in nominal phrase)
 She loves him more that he deserves. (postmodifier in adv. phrase)

8. Result – so…that, Such….that – indicate the result of an act or event

 My suitcase had become so damaged that the lid would not stay closed.
 He left after seven so that he must have caught the 8.15 train.

PRACTICE: Underline the adverb clause in each sentence, and circle the word it
modifies.

1. Jody checked his gym bag before he left for practice.

2. Parker was late for dinner because he got his four wheeler stuck in the mud.
3. When Triston knows there will be a basketball game on television, he finishes his
homework early.
4. Michael looks as if he is tired today.
5. As the Bears improved their basketball skills, they began to win games.
6. As soon as Justin finishes his AR book, he will take a test.

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7. After Emily plays a softball game, she will go out to eat.

8. Adam should have a good progress report grade, even though he did not do well on the last
test.
9. If Kayla’s grades are good, she will earn her allowance.
10. El will need to warm up her voice before she competes in the U.I.L. choir contest.
11. Austin will pack his hunting gear so that he’s prepared for the trip.
12. While Reagan is editing her original myth, she can correct grammar mistakes.

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 CLAUSES
 must have a subject and a verb

INDEPENDENT CLAUSES SUBORDINATE CLAUSES

 express a complete thought  do not express a complete thought
 can stand alone as a sentence  can’t stand alone as a sentence


Noun Clauses Adjective Clauses Adverb Clauses

 function as nouns in a sentence  function as adjectives in a  function as adverbs in a
and are used as subjects, sentence and answer the sentence and tell where, why,
predicate nominatives, direct questions which one, what kind, how, when, or to what degree
objects, indirect objects, and how much, or how many about something was done
objects of prepositions the noun or pronoun they modify  are introduced by subordinating
 as nouns, can be replaced by  are introduced by relative conjunctions
pronouns (use someone or pronouns or relative adverbs  are not grammatically essential
something)  are not grammatically essential to the sentence
 are grammatically essential to to the sentence
the sentence

Words Used to Introduce Noun Relative pronouns Commonly Used Subordinating

Clauses who, whom, whose, that, Conjunctions
which after, although, as, as if, as long as,
Subordinating conjunctions as soon as, as though, because,
that, how, when, where, Relative adverbs before, even though, if, once, since,
whether, why when, where, why so that, than, though, unless, until,
when, whenever, where, wherever,
Pronouns whether, while
what, whatever, who, whom,
whoever, whomever, which,
whichever