Adverb Clauses

HOW, WHEN, WHERE, WHY,

AND UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS
THE ACTION OCCURS
 Adverb Clause

A subordinate clause A group of words that contains a

subject and predicate that does not
express a complete thought.

That modifies Tells how, when, where, why or

under what condition the action
occurs

A verb Action, state or relationship

 Look and See it, Listen and Hear it

Adverb clauses modify verbs only!

They do not modify adjectives or adverbs.
Adverb phrases modify adjectives and adverbs.

The conjunction for linking the subordinate clause to the main

clause is a Subordinating Conjunction, not a conjunctive
adverb. A conjunctive adverb is the type of adverb.

Remember to adjust the volume and expand to full screen

 What it does

• Tells
– How

Two people can enjoy a movie, if they can agree on what movie to
see.

How can two people enjoy a movie?

if they can agree on what movie to see

Note: Answers to the adverbial questions are sentence fragments.

 What it does

• Tells
– How

– When

After we go to the store, we can have lunch.

When can we have lunch?

after we go to the store

Note: Answers to the adverbial questions are sentence fragments.

 What it does

• Tells
– How

– When

– Where

Profanity is not acceptable where young children are playing.

Where is profanity not acceptable?

where young children are playing

Note: Answers to the adverbial questions are sentence fragments.

 What it does

• Tells
– How

– When

– Where

– Why

I am going to ask Sally to the prom because she is a pretty girl.

Why am I going to ask Sally to the prom?

because she is a pretty girl

Note: Answers to the adverbial questions are sentence fragments.

 What it does

• Tells
– How

– When

– Where

– Why

– Under what conditions

If I get up late, Mom will drive me to school.

Under what condition will Mom drive me to school?

if I get up late
Note: Answers to the adverbial questions are sentence fragments.
 How to find it

First find the verbs and the predicates.

Second find the subjects.
If the subject is preceded by a subordinate conjunction
if is a subordinate clause. If the subordinate clause
answers an adverbial question (how, when, where,
why or under what conditions), it is an adverb
clause.
“Because” tells why
Because we will be building complex sentences, this
class needs to understand and identify adverb
clauses.
 Adverb Clause

 After he raised his rifle to his shoulder

shoulder, he squeezed the trigger
immediately.

 The student left the room before the bell rang

rang.

 He enjoys camping in the woods more than you do

do.
 Linking the clauses

Subordinate clauses are linked to the main clause by

Subordinating Conjunctions.
How When Where Why Under what
conditions
since after while because unless
if before where although even if
in order that until where, wherever so that even though
whether when, whenever though provided that
as once than
as if while that
This is not an exhaustive list. Some of these words can be used to answer other adverbial
questions. “Than” and “that” can answer adjectival questions.
 Examples

 He came in when I was typing.

 I have been busy since I last saw you.
 I left just as he entered.
 I put the flash disk where I found it.
 I shall go wherever you go.
 I shall come as far as I can.
 Pronounce the word as I do.
 She talks as if she knew everything.
 As / since there was no one there, I went away.
 He was absent from work because he was sick.
 Examples

 He went out in spite of the bad weather.

 If He were here, we should be happy.
 Unless he does the work, he will not be paid.
 I will accept the job offer provided that I am provided with fringe
benefits.
 He wore two watches in case either of them stopped.
 I have written it very clearly so that they can read it very easily.
 He ran quickly in order that he might be late.
 The weather was so warm that I did not wear a coat.
 She does it as well as I do.
 He is taller than I am.
 She likes you more than I do.
 Look and See it, Listen and Hear it

What is an adverb clause

Just another explanation

After you watch this video, you may have a better

understanding of adverb clauses.

Remember to adjust the volume and expand to full screen

 How it works - Placement

at the end at the beginning

Main Clause Subordinate Clause

Students with good grades Because they spend a lot of

get into less trouble because time studying, students with
they spend a lot of time good grades get into less
studying. trouble.
Subordinate Clause Main Clause

Which order is better? End with the more important idea. This makes the
reader remember it better.

Note: Capital letters were changed because of standard sentence capitalization

rules. Comma was added after the introductory subordinate clause.
 How it works -Punctuation

Separation by Comma

A comma is usually not If an adverb clause

used if the adverb begins a sentence, a
clause is at the end of comma is used after it.
the sentence.

Marcel is going to ask the new If his brother lets him have the
girl on a date if his brother lets car, Marcel is going to ask the
him have the car. new girl on a date.
No Comma here Comma here
 Example of Explication

He read the passage as if he had done it before.

Main clause: “He read the passage”

Adverb clause: “as if he had done it before”
tells HOW the action was done
How did he read the passage? as if he had done it before
Subordinate conjunction: “as if”
No punctuation because the clause comes at the end of the
sentence.
 Subject Predicate

Just for Fun

Diagramming Main Clause

Subject Predicate
Diagramming indicates
parts of speech not
word order of the
sentence. It is a visual Subordinate Clause
picture of the sentence or
structure. Adverb Clause

Note: The subordinate (or dependent) clause is

below the main (or independent) clause, even if it
appears first in the sentence. The connector is
attached to the predicate since it modifies the verb
 Whenever you read, I listen.
Just for Fun
Diagramming I listen

Main Clause
Diagramming indicates
parts of speech not
word order of the
sentence. It is a visual
picture of the sentence
structure. you read

Subordinate Clause
or
Adverb Clause
Your Turn
Juan ordered pizza after he found
Find the adverb clause
out what everyone wanted on it.
What is the subject,
predicate of each
clause?

Which clause is the

main, subordinate
clause?

What is the
subordinating When did Juan order the pizza?
conjunction?

What adverbial question

after he found out what everyone
is being asked? wanted on it
Your Turn
When I get there, I’ll give you a call.
Find the adverb clause

What is the subject,

predicate of each
clause?

Which clause is the

main, subordinate
clause?

What is the
subordinating When will I give you a call?
conjunction?

What adverbial question

when I get there
is being asked?
Your Turn
We will cheer for Bob as he crosses
Find the adverb clause
the finish line.
What is the subject,
predicate of each
clause?

Which clause is the

main, subordinate
clause?

What is the
subordinating When and where will we cheer
conjunction?
for Bob?
What adverbial question
is being asked? as he crosses the finish line
Your Turn
If your teacher grades your
Find the adverb clause
assignments, you will know that you
What is the subject,
predicate of each understand the material.
clause?

Which clause is the

main, subordinate
clause?

What is the
Under what condition will you
subordinating
conjunction?
know how well you understand
What adverbial question
the material?
is being asked?
if your teacher grades your
assignment
Note: “that you understand the material” is an adjective clause because it acts as the DO to “know”.
 See Note

Your Turn Because Rachel had broken her

Find the adverb clause
leg before the coach sent in the
What is the subject,
predicate of each
roster, she did not go to sectionals.
clause?

Which clause is the

main, subordinate
clause?

What is the Why did she (Rachel) When had Rachel

subordinating not go to sectionals? broken her leg?
conjunction?

What adverbial question because Rachel had before the coach sent in
is being asked? broken her leg the roster

Note: “before the coach sent in the roster” modifies the adverb clause “Before Rachel had broken her leg.”
Your Turn While he was studying, Alex
Find the adverb clause
understood the material, but he
What is the subject,
predicate of each
couldn’t remember a thing after
after he
he
clause? played video games all night.
Which clause is the
main, subordinate
clause?

What is the
subordinating When did Alex When could he not
conjunction? understand the material? remember a thing?

What adverbial question while he was studying after he played video

is being asked? games all night

Note: two complex sentences connected by the conjunction “but.”

 Try this!

Learn 4 Good Exercise Grammar Bytes Exercise

Answer all questions Answer questions
1,2,3,9,10,16 & 17
Place a checkmark on the line next to those sentences that contain an
adverb clause.

1. ____ Do you know when the movie will finish?

2. ____ Because I am tired, I will not participate.
3. ____ Emma left the game before me.
4. ____ Fiona stayed here while we went fishing.
5. ____ Unless I am incorrect, this is their house.
6. ____ Some of the antelopes that were here have been relocated.
7. ____ Larry looked as if he had seen a ghost.
8. ____ Before the band played, we left to get a snack.
9. ____ Did they see where Terry went?
10. ____ Have you seen the principal since then?
11. ____ Though the officer stopped them, she did not ticket them.
12. ____ My brother seemed so tall at that time.
13. ____ Even though you are younger than they are, you are more talented.
14. ____ Because the exam is tomorrow, I must study tonight.
15. ____ After the contest, we will go for a nice meal.
Directions:

For each sentence, please do the following:

•Underline the adverb clause, labeling the subject and the verb of each clause.
•Circle the subordinating conjunction in each sentence.

Fiona stayed here while we went fishing.

For each sentence, please do the following:
•Underline the adverb clause, labeling the subject and the verb of each clause.
•Circle the subordinating conjunction in each sentence.

1. I will not go to the movies with you unless you buy me soda, popcorn, and
candy.
2. Erica will find the almanacs where the other reference books are shelved.
3. Ari goes swimming whenever she gets the chance.
4. After you have beaten the eggs, slowly add the dry ingredients to make
Mrs. Frans a batch of cookies.
5. The washer will stop if the door is opened.
6. Residents of the quiet suburban neighborhood have been urged by the
mayor to conserve water until the shortage ends.
7. His pictures came out badly because the film was torn slightly.
8. We had a good time at the picnic even though we were attacked by an
angry swarm of bumblebees.
9. No one may enter the studio while the red light is on.
10. A tire blew out as the jet taxied to the runway.
For each sentence, please do the following:
•Underline the adverb clause, labeling the subject and the verb of each clause.
•Circle the subordinating conjunction in each sentence.

11. We arrived at the bus station as our bus was beginning to pull away onto
the highway.
12. The movie, Spiderman and Superman: Best Friends Reunited, had already
started when Mr. Font arrived.
13. Because we had to get up at 4:30 in the morning, we went to bed before
American Idol was over.
14. Whenever it was possible, the guide planted trees.
15. Denise arrived at the concert after the band had left.
16. Will you move the couch when you have time?
17. Because the music in the stadium was so loud, Katie got a piercing
headache that made her nauseous.
18. No one came to the party since Dave forgot to mail the invitations.
19. Did you see my sister at the mall when you were in Williamsport?
20. My ride came before I had finished breakfast.
 References

O'Brien, E. (2011).Diagramming Clauses .Retrieved from

http://www.english-grammar-revolution.com/diagramming-clauses.html
Royster, J. J., Lester, M., & Ligature, Inc. (1999). Writer’s choice:
grammar and composition. New York: Glencoe, McGraw-Hill.
Simmons, R.L. (2011). The adverb clause. Retrieved from
http:/www.chompchomp.com/ terms/adverbclause.htm.
 Graphics credits

Photos: Barbara Enoch

Grammar Bytes: Simmons, Robin L. (2011) by permission at
<http://chompchomp.com/menu.htm>.
Learn 4 Good: By permission (D. von Chamier, personal communication,
February 21, 2011)
 Hyperlink credits

Adverb clause examples. Retrieved from:

<http://www.learn4good.com/languages/evrd_grammar/adverb_clauses
_ex.htm>
Rackham, M. (Writer). (2009). Advanced grammar: adverb clauses .
Available from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylvCDgd4_fA
Selcke, Paul (Writer). (2009). What is an adverb clause? Available from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6bfbdqJPiY&NR=1&feature=fvwp
Simmons, Robin (2011) Commas – exercise 5. Retrieved from:
<http://chompchomp.com/hotpotatoes/commas05a.htm>. Permission
at: http://www.chompchomp.com/presentations.htm