Adverb Clause (Part One)

Skill: Grammar  

Category: Academic English & Academic English

Level: Advanced

Adverb Clause (Part One)

Adverb clauses or adverbial clauses are a group of words that function as an adverb describing and modifying a verb, an adjective, and another adverb. An adverb clause is a subordinate or dependent clause that cannot stand alone as a complete thought. Since it is a dependent clause, it should have a subordinate conjunction through which one can easily identify it. Adverb clauses show relationships of time, cause and effect contrast, and condition.

Adverb Vs. Adverb Clause:

Ex: Keep exercising weekly.

(Normal adverb)

Ex: Keep doing your homework until I tell you to stop.

(adverbial clause)

Punctuation: When the adverb clause precedes the main clause a comma should be used to separate the clauses.

Note: Since adverb clauses are dependent clause, they should be tied to an independent clause.

INCORRECT

Ex1: When I was in the class. I spoke to my teacher.

Ex2: Because he was very tired. He went to bed soon.

List of words, subordinating conjunctions, used to introduce adverb clauses

Exercise: Underline the adverb clause and add punctuation and capitalization where necessary.

1- As soon as the car stopped the earthquake started.

2- When Smith came to England he made up his mind to live on his own.

3- Jay didn’t go out of the railroad until it stopped.

All adverb clauses can be categorized as following.

Adverb of Time:

An adverb of time expresses when and how often an action happens. An adverb of time begins with subordinating conjunctions mentioned above.

Notice: In adverb clause of time, simple present tense must be used, not future tense.

After                           After she graduates from university, she will travel abroad.

                                    After she (had) bought the computer, she learned how to use it.

When:                          When I see her tomorrow, I will tell her the secret.

                                    When I got there, she had already left.

As soon as                   As soon as it stopped snowing, I left the class.

                                    As soon as I left home, my boss called me.

Exercise: Combine these sentences with the words in parenthesis.

1- Maria feels worried. She has an exam. (whenever)

2- We will all leave the class. The electricity goes off. (as soon as)

3- We had to stay in the airport. The airplane arrived. (until)