2/9/2017 Adverb Clause

Adverb Clause
The adverb clause is dierent from a noun or adjective clause in that it does not take a position within
the independent clause, nor does it modify a noun. The adverb clause represents
arelationshipbetween the independent clause and the subordinate clause, thereby acting as an
adverb to the main verb of the independent clause, or an adjective therein. These relationships can
answer questions about time, reason, cause, condition, contrast, concession,eect, comparison,
manner, or place.

Similar to the other two dependent clause types, the adverb clause contains a subject and a verb,
and begins with a conjunction. Some of these clauses may be reduced to an adverbial participle
phrase. Here are some of the commonly used adverb conjunctions:

Although, when, after, if, as long as, as, since, because, while, so that, until, though, whereas,
whether, unless, as if, etc.

A quick note on punctuation: a sentence that begins with an adverb clause will have a comma
following the clause. If the adverb clause follows the independent clause, however, the use of the
comma depends on the context; if it immediately follows a verb, then no comma is necessary; if there
is a distance between the two points being related, a comma is usually necessary:

Ex:Although he went out of his way to help the team, his eorts were not recognizedwhen it came
time to reward the memberswith promotions and bonuses. This sentence has two adverb clauses.
The rst is followed by a comma since it precedes the independent clause. The second follows from
the independent clause without a comma.

However, if there is a phrase between the end of the independent clause and the beginning of the
adverb clause, then a comma may be necessary to show that the adverb clause is in relation to the
whole preceding clause, including the phrase:

Ex: The opposition leaders, who themselves did not have the complete trust of the protestors, arrived
at the Square to speak directly to the masses gathered there,while the incumbents felt a little
distance would be the safer choiceunder the circumstances. The adverb clause in this sentence
(while the incumbents felt a little distance would be the safer choice)is too far removed from the
independent clause (The opposition leaders arrived at the Square) and so needs a comma to show
that the relationship (contrast) reects on the entire preceding elements.

Now lets look at the dierent relationships associated with adverb clauses:

Contrast/Concession
Although, though, even though, whereas, while

These adverb clauses signify that what is expected from the independent clause (in terms of result) is
not what in fact occurs. In this way, there is a contrast between expectation and actualization of the
action or situation in the sentence. As a concession (a concession is an acknowledgment of the
strength or truth of an opposing argument or situation), these clauses signify that while the
expectation was not reached, there was an eort to reach it.
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Ex:Though he studied for weeks before the exam, James wasnt able to obtain a high enough score
to get into the college. contrast: hard studies not high score; concession: he did try hard, which
suggests that he didnt fail because of a lack of eort.

Many children of working-class families are encouraged to learn a skill with which to secure their
livelihood in the future,whereas children of professionals are encouraged to pursue higher levels of
studies. This clause compares children from two dierent socio-economic backgrounds, thus
marking a contrast.

While no one will argue that cigarettes are highly detrimental to human health, there are still many
who argue that they are nevertheless benecial to the economy.concession: one argument is true,
but another argument is equally true and needs to be discussed.

Condition
if, unless, as long as, (when)

These clauses suggest that for the action or situation in the independent clause to hold true or be
possible, the conditions set in the adverb clause must rst be met. In other words, the independent
clausedependson the conditions set in the adverb clause. For X to be true (independent clause), Y
(adverb clause) must also be true, or be true rst. It does not make any dierence which clause
appears rst in the sentence.

Ex: A true democratic process can only occurif all members of the group participatein the election of
its leaders.Unless a substantial majority of this electorate becomes somehow involvedin this
decision making, the opportunity for exploitation increases dramatically, thus weakening the entire
concept of a government by the people.

Condition: all members of the group participate Result: true democratic process

Condition: a substantial majority of this electoratedoes not becomesomehow involved Result:

the opportunity for exploitation increases dramatically

As long as were already in Paris, why dont we go visit the Louvre for a couple of hours?

Condition: in Paris Result: have a chance to visit the Louvre The context of this sentence might be
a stopover on a train journey, with some free time between trains such that the speaker feels there is
enough time to visit the museum.

When:Although the conjunctionwhenis mostly used to show a time relationship, it is often

understood as a conditional in certain contexts. More specically, when we want to suggest that a
condition is sure to be met, or is usually met, we use the conjunctionwhenrather thanif.

Ex:If you see Jack, ask him to call me. You might see Jack. In this case (if you do), ask him

When you see Jack, ask him to call me. I am sure that you will see Jack at some point (when you
do). At the time this happens, ask him

Time
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Time
before, after, while, as, since, when, until, as soon as, once, whenever

These clauses are as straightforward as the heading suggests: they relate events/situations in time.
The area that often gives English learners trouble and that you should keep an eye out for is the
relationship between the verbs of the two clauses, as the conjunction will often arrange the events in
some chronological order that may necessitate the use of particular tenses.

Ex:While the tech was running routine diagnostics on the equipment, Doctor Lee ran her own tests of
the programs on her laptop. This sentence combines a past continuous tense with a past simple
tense, a relationship commonly used withwhenorwhileconjunctions.

Once the impurities are removed, the liquid is ready to be poured into the holding tank.Generally,
present simple tenses are used together when discussing general truths, and processes.

Thomas had been a corporate CEObefore he was red and changed career paths.When events
happen in sequence, make sure to use verbs that reect that order, such as by using the past perfect
tense.

After all the eorts wed gone throughto try to secure the deal, our main competitor simply walked in
and oered more money to seal it.

Although she started practicing Law as soon as she graduated from university, Henrietta had never
been oered a partnership in a Law rm until just recently.

Whenever youre feeling down,call me.

What do you want to bewhen you grow up, Jacky?

Reason/Cause
because, since, as

These clauses demonstrate a cause and eect relationship, or simply provide a reason for the
action/situation in the independent clause.

Ex: The presiding judge disallowed the evidencesince it was obtained by illegal meansand was
therefore a violation of the accuseds rights to a fair trial.

As the demand for foreign currency rose in response to the protests, the government moved to allow
the banks to sell more dollars in an attempt to counter the fast-growing black market.In this
example,asmay be used to show a cause for the governments action, or a timeline for this action.

Because the storms reach was far wider than expected, many smaller municipalities were forced to
petition the state government for assistance to help with the cleanup, both in terms of personnel and
funding.

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Note: Be aware thatbecause ofis a prepositional phrase that is followed by an object to the
prepositionof. The above sentence can thus be rewritten:Because of the storms wide reach, many
smaller municipalities were forced to .

Comparison/Manner
as, asas,

When demonstrating similarities between things, people, events, etc., we can use the adverb
conjunctionsas, orasasto show similarities inactions only. It is important to note that while
things themselves can be compared with each other, using the prepositionlike, or the prepositionas,
comparisons withasas an adverb conjunction are used to discuss verbs.

Ex: He isastallasSarah, his sister. This sentence does not contain an adverb clause. Here,as
asis used as a comparative preposition. There is no adverb clause because there is no subject-verb
combination other than the one in the independent clause.

She wants to nd a positionlikeher friend Daisysin a multinational corporation. This sentence also
does not contain an adverb clause. There is only the subject-verb combination of the independent
clause.Likeis a comparative preposition.Daisys, in this sentence, is a possessive pronoun,
whereDaisysmeansDaisys position.

Here are a couple of examples of adverb clauses usingas:

Ex: Scott joined the Marines soon after his 18thbirthday, justas his brother had, and justas his father
hadbefore him.In this sentence, Scotts action is compared to that of his brothers and fathers
actions in the past.

Ms. Haley, Im afraid this letter contains too many errors. Here is a list of the necessary corrections.
Next time, please typeas carefully as you canto avoid these.In this sentence, theas asadverb
clause demonstrates the manner (how?) in which Ms. Haley needs to work (type) in the future.

Note: When using the conjunctionas, it is common in formal writing to use an inverted sentence
structure in the adverb clause. The above sentence can thus be rewritten: Scott joined the Marines
soon after his 18thbirthday,as had his brother and fatherbefore him.

Result/Effect
so that

First, lets begin by addressing the dierence betweenso thatandso:so thatis an adverb clause
conjunction that relates the subordinate clause to the independent clause in terms of the eect of the
action in the independent clause. In other words, what occurs in the adverb clause is a direct result of
the action of the independent clause, or, causeeect.Sois a coordinating conjunction that joins
two independent clauses. The relationship between these is one of action/counter-action, or
situation/response.

The main dierence, therefore, between the two isintent. Withso that, the action in the independent
clause is done for the purpose of eecting the result in the adverb clause. In other words, we want
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the result/eect. Withso, there is a continuation of one action/situation with a response.

Ex: I worked extra hours this weekso that I could take the weekend oto go see a concert with my
friends.In this sentence, I worked extra hours for the purpose of getting the weekend o. I wanted
the extra hours.

I worked extra hours this week,somy boss gave me the weekend o to spend time with my friends.
In this sentence, I worked the extra hours (maybe because its a busy time of year and my boss
asked me to work extra hours) and as a result of my hard work, my boss rewarded me. The weekend
o was his response to my actions; it was not my personal intent.

Note:so thatis often reduced (thatis removed) tosoonly:

Ex: Fred worked longer days than usual this monthso (that) his boss would consider him for a
promotionat his upcoming review.

To know whichsois being used (coordinating or reduced adverb conjunction), make sure you
understand the relationship between the clauses.

Place
where, wherever

The relationship here is straightforward: it is one of place.

Ex: You can run, but you cant hide. Ill nd youwherever you go.

Jane found the keys exactlywhere Kate said they would be.

Final note
Keep in mind that a sentence may have multiple subordinate clauses, including multiple clauses of
the same type:

Ex:As it had always been his dreamto visit Fijibefore he retired,Justin gave up his annual vacation
timefor a few yearswhen he was in his fortiesso that he could save enough money and paid vacation
timeto take a two-month trip to the island.

Note: While this sentence is grammatically correct, and each adverb clause relates to the
independent clause or another adverb clause, it is not a very good idea to write sentences such as
these, as it is very easy to lose control and turn them into run-on sentences, or simply confusing
ones for the reader. Do this only if you feel you have control over the links between clauses. See the
next section, embedded clauses, for more on this

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