I.
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
An adverbial clause, or adverb clause, is a group of words behaving as
an adverb. Like all clauses, it always contains a subject and a predicate,
and it is used, like a regular adverb, to modify adjectives, verbs, and
adverbs. For example:
I went to the park before my parents woke up. (Before my parents woke
up is an adverbial clause that also modifies the verb went.)
Idea being modified Subordinating conjunction
when, whenever, while, before, after, since, until,
Time
once
Place where, wherever, everywhere, anywhere
Reason or purpose because, as, since, so
Condition if, unless, whether or not, in the event, provided
Comparison or
like, as, as… as, as if, the way, than
manner
Contrast though, although, even though, whereas, even if
1. Adverbial clauses of time
An adverbial clause of time describes when or for how long something
has occurred or will occur. Possible subordinating conjunctions
include when, whenever, while, before, after, since, until, and once.
I will arrive when dinner is ready.
He said he’ll go whenever you decide it’s time to leave.
Animals are cute while they’re young.
Before you leave, let me give you a kiss.
Teachers grade papers after the students go home for the day.
I have loved you since the day I met you.
She waited on the shore until the ship departed.
(*Be careful with the subordinating conjunction since, because it is also
used with adverbial clauses of reason or purpose, as we will see below.)
2. Adverbial clauses of place
An adverbial clause of place describes where something has occurred or
will occur. The most common subordinating conjunctions are where,
wherever, everywhere, and anywhere.
1
Grandma and Grandpa want to go where their children live.
I can go wherever I want to go.
Peter brings his sunglasses everywhere he goes.
Birds create nests anywhere they deem suitable.
3. Adverbial clauses of reason or purpose
An adverbial clause of reason or purpose describes why something has
occurred or will occur. Common subordinating conjunctions are because,
as, since, and so.
I admire you because you are an inspiration to many people.”
As it is raining, we probably shouldn’t go to the park today.
I’m going outside to play since my homework is finished.
He went to his room so he could be alone.
(*Be careful with the subordinating conjunction since, because it is also
used with adverbial clauses of time, as we saw above.)
4. Adverbial clauses of condition
Adverbial clauses of condition describe the conditions necessary for
specific actions or events to happen. This type of clause usually employs
the subordinating conjunctions if, unless, whether or not, in the event,
and provided.
If it snows tonight, I’m not going to work tomorrow.
Kate can’t attend the school dance unless her parents allow it.
He’s always doing crazy stunts whether or not they’re considered safe.
In the event of a hurricane, you must stay inside.
They’ll approve your request provided you pay the appropriate amount
of money.
5. Adverbial clauses of comparison or manner
An adverbial clause of comparison or manner describes how or in what
manner something occurred or will occur, to what degree something
occurred or will occur, or how something compares to something else.
Some of the most often used subordinating conjunctions are like, as, as …
as, as if, the way, and than.
He sings like he wants to be a rock star.
2
The teary-eyed friends embraced as long-lost siblings would.
The freshly picked flower is as beautiful as it is soft.
She looked excited, as if she could jump up and dance at any moment.
Lauren walks confidently, the way a model struts on a runway.
Tim is more nervous than Rhonda (is).
(*In colloquial English, the final verb in an adverbial clause of
comparison may be omitted. In this case, the sentence would become Tim
is more nervous than Rhonda, in which the predicate verb is is implied.
We also see verb omission in adverbial clauses containing the
subordinating conjunctions before, after, and as … as.)
6. Adverbial clauses of contrast
An adverbial clause of contrast describes something that differs from or
contrasts with an idea expressed in the main clause. Commonly used
subordinating conjunctions include though, although, even though,
whereas, and even if.
Though the sun is out, the wind is very chilly.
Although she doesn’t have much money, Wendy often goes traveling.
I do this job even though I hate it.
Babies look at the world with innocence, whereas adults look at it with
experience.
Matt will go to college, even if it means taking out student loans.
Reduced adverbial clause
Adverb clauses of time starting with after, before, since, when,
and while can be reduced, but only if the subjects in the adverb clause
and in the independent clause are the same. When they are the same, you
can drop the subject and the verb BE (or if there is no BE, change
the verb to the -ing form) in the adverb clause.
I fell asleep while I was watching TV.
I fell asleep while watching TV.
Since he came back to town, he has seen all his old friends.
Since coming back to town, he has seen all his old friends.
3
Paul celebrated with his friends after he took his final exam.
Paul celebrated with his friends after taking his final exam.
Before she went to bed, Alice brushed her teeth.
Before going to bed, Alice brushed her teeth.
When you are standing in line, start talking with someone to pass the
time.
[The missing subject in a command is “you.” (…, you start talking…)]
When standing in line, start talking with someone to pass the time.
• When reducing an adverb clause of reason starting with because, since,
or as, you must drop the marker. This type of adverb clause is most
often used at the beginning of a sentence.
Examples:
Because he forgot his password, Sam was unable to use the bank
machine.
Forgetting his password, Sam was unable to use the bank machine.
Since she hadn’t slept much the night before, Sue was tired most of the
day .
Not having slept much the night before, Sue was tired most of the day.
[In compound verb tenses like this, put the first verb (have) in the -ing
form]
As we are all together today, we should do something memorable.
Being all together today, we should do something memorable.
[When the only verb is BE, change it to -ing]
• When reducing an adverb clause of time starting with while, you can
drop it if you want to, but you don’t have to.
Example:
While we were walking to school, we saw a dog fight.
While walking to school, we saw a dog fight.
Walking to school, we saw a dog fight.
4
• There are 6 prepositional phrases that function like adverb clauses but
are followed by a noun and not a subject and verb. The markers for these
phrases are:
because of on account of despite
due to in spite of during
Examples:
They didn’t want to go for a bike ride because of the rain.
COMPARE: They didn’t want to go for a bike ride because it was
raining.
Because of a test at school, Paul studied late last night
COMPARE: Because he had a test at school, Paul studied late last
night.
On account of his poor memory, Mark missed the meeting.
COMPARE: Because he has a poor memory, Mark missed the meeting.
He got up late this morning on account of the party last night.
COMPARE: He got up late this morning because he went to a party last
night.
Allan didn’t feel tired despite his lack of sleep.
COMPARE: Allan didn’t feel tired although he didn’t sleep much.
Despite instructions not to, Faye opened the test booklet.
COMPARE: Even though she had instructions not to, Faye opened the test
booklet.
Due to the poor economic forecast, we put our money in gold.
COMPARE: Because the economic forecast was poor, we put our money in
gold.
No one could understand me due to my poor accent.
COMPARE: No one could understand me because I have a poor accent.
They lied to me in spite of our friendship.
COMPARE: They lied to me even though we are friends.
5
In spite of their best effort, the team lost the final game.
COMPARE: Although they played their best, the team lost the final game.
They kissed for the first time during the concert.
COMPARE: They kissed for the first time while they were at the concert.
During the lecture after lunch, Paul fell asleep.
COMPARE: While he was listening to the lecture after lunch, Paul fell
asleep.
