What Are Adverbial Clauses?

Adverbial clauses are dependent clauses that function as adverbs in a sentence. They modify the verb, adjective, or another adverb in a sentence by providing additional information about time, place, manner, condition, purpose, or contrast.

Adverbial Clauses: Characteristics

Let's discuss the four main characteristics of adverbial clauses:

1.

Adverbial clauses are adjuncts. (We can remove them without affecting grammaticality of the sentence)

2.

Adverbial clauses are dependent clauses. (They cannot form a meaningful sentence on their own.)

3.

Adverbial clauses normally start with a subordinating conjunction.

4.

Adverbial clauses must have a subject and a verb.

Adverbial Clauses: Types

Adverbial clauses modify the main verb of the independent clause by answering one of the following questions or talking about one of these topics:

Where

Adverbial clauses of place talk about where something happens. They often start with a preposition of place or a subordinating conjunctions of place like:

1.

where

2.

wherever

3.

anywhere

4.

everywhere

Take a look at some examples:

Example

We can go wherever you like.

He was standing where you are standing now.

When or How Often

Adverbial clauses of time talk about when or how often something happens. They start with subordinating conjunctions of time, such as:

1.

when

4.

as long as

5.

as soon as

Example

She cries whenever she thinks about it.

We can go outside to play as long as we come back before it gets dark.

How

Adverbial clauses of manner talk about how something is done or happens. They start with subordinating conjunctions of manner like:

1.

as

2.

like

3.

as if

4.

as though

Example

He looked at me as though I were his biggest enemy.

She talked to me like I was an idiot.

Why

Adverbial clauses of reason, purpose, and result talk about why the action of the sentence happens and what the result is. They start with one of the following subordinating conjunctions:

1.

Reason: because, since, as, given

2.

Purpose: in order to, so that, in order that, in case

3.

Results: so...that, such...that

Example

They didn't enjoy the camping trip because the weather was so bad.

She opened the door quietly in order to not wake the kids up.

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To What Degree

Adverbial clauses of degree talk about to what degree something happens or express comparison. They start with subordinating conjunctions of degree and comparison such as:

1.

as... as

3.

so... as

Example

Tipping a waiter is more common now than it was a decade ago.

She is as smart as she is pretty.

Condition

Adverbial clauses of condition talk about the condition stated in the main clause. They start with subordinating conjunctions of condition such as:

1.

if

2.

provided (that)

3.

providing

5.

lest

Example

They can come with us provided that they pay for their share.

Brian will not sleep unless you tell him a story.

Concession

Adverbial clauses of concession or opposition talk about contrasts. They start with one of the following subordinating conjunctions:

2.

even though

4.

while

5.

whereas

Example

I cannot accept that, although I appreciate your offer.

She must be about 30, whereas her husband looks about 60.

Adverbial Clauses: Structure

Adverbial clauses consist of the following parts:

The subject

The predicate: often a verb, but it can also be a verb plus its objects or modifiers

The dependent marker (also called subordinating conjunctions)

The object: the word influenced by the verb or preposition

Adverbial Clauses: Punctuation

When the adverbial clause is at the beginning of a sentence, a comma is used after it. This comma shows where the adverbial clause ends and the main clause starts. Pay attention to the example:

Example

Even though he never went to college, he owns a thriving business.

When the adverbial clause is at the end of a sentence, you need to consider whether the adverbial clause is essential (also called restrictive) or non-essential (also called non-restrictive) to the overall meaning of the sentence.

When it is essential, do not use a comma.

When it is non-essential, use a comma.

Example

He said he was happy where he was.

I used to read a lot, though I don't have much time for books now.

Adverbial Clause vs. Adverbial Phrase

An adverb clause must have a subject and a predicate. An adverb phrase, however, does not have a subject and a predicate:

Adverbial Clause

Adverbial Phrase

if it rains

after the game

when he met his wife

in two weeks

before she goes to bed

really nice

Review

Adverbial clauses are dependent clauses that modify the main verb in the independent clauses. They start with a subordinating conjunction and in order to make sense, they must connect to an independent clause. Adverbial clauses are used to answer the following questions or to express following concepts:

where

when or how often

how

why

To what degree

to express condition

to express concession

Quiz:


1.

Sort the words to form a correct sentence.

started
the
party
because
late
without
us
we
arrived
.
2.

Match each type of adverbial clause with its correct example.

Time
Condition
Manner
Concession
Degree
The movie was not as exciting as I expected.
Although it was raining, they went for a walk.
You can join us if you finish your work.
We'll start dinner after everyone arrives.
He acted as if he knew the secret.
3.

Complete each sentence with the correct subordinating conjunction. (There are two extra options.)

We waited

the movie started.

He won't go outside

it stops raining.

I stayed inside

I was feeling sick.

She talks to me

I'm her best friend.

You can sit

you are comfortable.

until
unless
like
wherever
although
because
than
4.

Choose the sentence that is correctly punctuated.

A

Because it was raining they stayed indoors all day.

B

Because it was raining, they stayed indoors all day.

C

They stayed indoors all day because it was raining.

D

They stayed indoors all day; because, it was raining.

5.

Choose the sentence that contains an adverbial clause.

A

They went to the store quickly.

B

She runs every morning before breakfast.

C

I'll call you when I arrive at the airport.

D

He loves reading books in his free time.

Comments

(1)
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HASANI MOHAMEDI ALFANI
Apr 2024
Indeed what is being provided is helpful and pivotal for language learners but you should provide many example so that a person can have a vast understand of a concept.
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