I.

ADVERBIAL CLAUSE

An adverbial clause is a clause that functions as an adverb. In other words, it contains a

subject (explicit or implied) and a predicate, and it modifies a verb.

• I saw Joe when I went to the store. (explicit subject I )

• He sat quietly in order to appear polite. (implied subject he)

According to Sidney Greenbaum and Randolph Quirk, adverbial clauses function mainly as
adjuncts or disjuncts. In these functions they are like adverbial phrases, but due to their potentiality
for greater explicitness, they are more often like prepositional phrases (Greenbaum and
Quirk,1990):

• We left after the speeches ended. (Is it an adverbial clause, adverbial phrase, or
prepositional phrase?)
• We left after the end of the speeches.(Is it an adverbial clause, adverbial phrase, or
prepositional phrase?)

Contrast adverbial clauses with adverbial phrases, which do not contain a clause.

• I like to fly kites for fun.

Adverbial clauses are dependent clauses that modify verbs and verb phrases. Adverbial clauses
answer questions about the verb phrase that relate to time, location, purpose, and condition. When
teaching students to identify adverbial clauses, you should ask them to consider what kinds of
questions the clause answers. If the clause they are tying to identify answers the question "why?",
"when?", "where?", "to what degree?", or "under what conditions?" then it is an adverbial clause.
Consider the following examples of adverbial clauses:

• The hostess wouldn't seat us because the restaurant was closed.

• The clause because the restaurant was closed answers questions about why the hostess
wouldn't seat us.
• The seeds will take root wherever there is enough light.
• In this example, wherever there is enough light is an adverbial clause because it specifies
where the seeds will take root.
• Sean will come to your party if you promise to let his band play.
• The adverbial clause if you promise to let my band play clarifies the conditions under
which Sean will come to the party.

These are introduced by a subordinating conjunction, which explains the adverbial meaning of
the clause. These include when/before/after/while (time); because/since (reason); if/unless/lest
(condition), as in these examples:

• When the bell sounds, you may leave the room.

• We cannot send you the goods, because we are out of stock.
• Unless you are good, Father Christmas will bring you nothing.
 Adverbial clauses modify the entire independent clause or another subordinate clause to which
they might be attached. Some adverbial subordinators:" because, while, as, if, when, although, as
if, after, since, unless, before, until". Adverbial clauses signal common adverbial meanings such as
time of the event, place of the event, manner of the event, cause of the event or condition for the
event.
Examples:
• I haven't been skating since we all went up to Banff last winter.
• He stood there as if he was frozen to the very spot.
• Fred jogs where there is no traffic because he likes it.

II. TWO MINOR TYPES OF ADVERBIAL CLAUSE

1 .Inf. clause:

• I went to the shop to buy some presents. (Clause introduced by to + infinitive.)

2. -ing clause:

• Jane broke her arm while fighting. (Clause introduced by present participle.)

III. SUBORDINATE CONJUNCTIONS

As you can see from the above examples, in most situations, adverbial clauses can be
identified by the words or phrases that introduce them. Known as subordinating conjunctions, these
words and phrases signify time, cause and effect, opposition and condition. If students can identify
the following list of subordinate conjunctions, they will be well equipped to identify adverbial
clauses in sentences:

After although has because before even if even though if in order that once provided that rather
than since so that than that though unless until when ever where as wherever whether while why

1. Common subordinating conjunctions:

after in order (that) unless

although insofar as until
as in that when
as far as lest whenever
as soon as no matter how where
as if now that wherever
as though once whether
because provided (that) while
before since why
even if so that
even though supposing (that)
how than
if that
inasmuch as though
in case (that) till

Example: When spring arrives, the flowers bloom

Subordinating conjunctions Main clause

Adverbial clauses

• When will the flowers bloom? Answer: when spring arrives.

Example: The poor woman had no money because she had lost her job

Main clause Subordinating conjunctions

Adverbial clauses

• Why didn't the poor woman have money? Answer: because she had lost her job

Example: How answer the question as if he knew the subject quite well.

Main clause Subordinating conjunctions

Adverbial clauses

• How did he answer the question? Answer: as if he knew the subject quite well

Example: Jones will probably arrive late than Smith (will arrive)

Main clause Subordinating conjunctions

Adverbial clauses

• To what degree of lateness will Jones arrive? Answer: (later) than Smith (will arrive)

2.Comma use with adverbial clauses

Comma use with adverbial clauses depends upon placement of the adverbial clause.

If the adverbial clause introduces the sentence, place a comma between it and the main clause.

After Boston won the pennant in 2011, the entire city celebrated.

introductory adverbial clause comma main clause

If the adverbial clause follows the main clause in a sentence, do not place a comma between the
two.

The entire city celebrated after Boston won the pennant in 2011.

main clause no comma adverbial clause

IV. ADVERBIAL CLAUSES ARE MOVABLE

Another useful tool to employ when teaching adverbial and adjective clauses to students is to
demonstrate how adverbial clauses are more easily movable within sentences than adjective clauses.
The following examples from above can be restructured and still be grammatical:

• The hostess wouldn't seat us because the restaurant was closed.

• Because the restaurant was closed, the hostess wouldn't seat us.
• The seeds will take root wherever there is enough light.
• Wherever there is enough light, the seeds will take root.

It is important to note that when an adverbial clause precedes the sentence's independent clause, it is
always separated with a comma.

V. KINDS OF ADVERBIAL CLAUSES

kind of
common conjunctions function example
clause
when, before, after, since, These clauses are used to
while, as, as long as, until, till , say when something
Her father died when
time clauses etc. (conjunctions that answer happens by referring to a
she was young.
the question "when?"); hardly, period of time or to another
scarcely, no sooner, etc. event.
These clauses are used to If they lose weight
conditional talk about a possible during an illness,
if, unless
clauses situation and its they soon regain it
consequences. afterwards.
They had to take
These clauses are used to some of his land so
purpose
in order to, so that, in order that indicate the purpose of an that they could
clauses
action. extend the
churchyard.
These clauses are used to I couldn't feel anger
reason
because, since, as, given indicate the reason for against him because I
clauses
something. liked him too much.
result clauses so..that These clauses are used to My suitcase had
 become so damaged
indicate the result of on the journey home
something. that the lid would not
stay closed.
These clauses are used to
I used to read a lot
make two statements, one of
concessive although I don't get
although, though, while which contrasts with the
clauses much time for books
other or makes it seem
now.
surprising.
Where, wherever, anywhere,
These clauses are used to
everywhere, etc. (conjunctions He said he was
place clauses talk about the location or
that answer the question happy where he was.
position of something.
"where?")
These clauses are used to
I was never allowed
clauses of talk about someone's
as, like, the way to do things the way
manner behavior or the way
I wanted to do them.
something is done.
Exclamations are used to
express anger, fear, shock, What horrible news!
clauses of
what a(an), how, such, so surprise etc. They always How fast she types!
exclamation
take an exclamation mark You lucky man!
(!).

VI. POSITION OF REDUCED ADVERBIAL CLAUSES IN A SENTENCE

1. Go in front of a main clause

After graduating from university of Hanoi, she became a professor
After she graduated from university of Hanoi, she became a professor

2. After a main clause

We would be happy if we are given the chance to attend this meeting
We would be happy if given the chance to attend this meeting

3. In the middle one (after the subject and before the predicate of the main clause)
Children, if given enough encouragement and opportunities, will perform well both
academically and physically
If children are given enough encouragement and opportunities, they will perform well both
academically and physically
 Exercise
I. Directions: Locate the adverbial clause in each sentence. Write your answer into the
box below the sentence.

1. People may buy a lottery ticket when the new machines are installed.

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2. The lettuce is wilted because Joe left the groceries in the car.

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3. While the comedian told jokes in the den, a singer performed in the living room.

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4. Her brother got married before he finished college.

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5. Since I got my new glasses, I can see what I am reading

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6. Although Bob works hard, his boss rarely rewards him.

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7. The charges will be dropped provided that all parties agree to the settlement.

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8. Flowers have begun to bloom even though the weather is still chilly.

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9. Whenever I go to that mall, I have a hard time finding a parking place.

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10. No one may leave the area until the police have checked all of the buildings.

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 Answer Key
1. The adverbial clause is when the new machines are installed.

2. The adverbial clause is because Joe left the groceries in the car.

3. The adverbial clause is while the comedian told jokes in the den.

4. The adverbial clause is before he finished college.

5. The adverbial clause is since I got my new glasses.

6. The adverbial clause is although Bob works hard.

7. The adverbial clause is provided that all parties agree to the settlement.

8. The adverbial clause is even though the weather is still chilly.

9. The adverbial clause is whenever I go to that mall.

10. The adverbial clause is until the police have checked all of the buildings.

II. Underline the part of each sentence that subordinating conjunctions

1. Where the road took a sudden turn Robin stopped.

2. I want to go south when the magnolia trees are in bloom.

3. All shouted until they were exhausted.

4. The lass panted as a hare pursued by hounds pants.

5. The wanderers slept where night found them.

6. When the last man had shot his arrows, another great shout arose.

7. As heroes fight, the Bruce fought.

8. All the people shouted, for it was noble shooting.

9. At last they came to a place where a noble oak spread its branches wide.

10. The apple fell because it was ripe.

 Answer Key
1. Where the road took a sudden turn Robin stopped.

2. I want to go south when the magnolia trees are in bloom.

3. All shouted until they were exhausted.

4. The lass panted as a hare pursued by hounds pants.

5. The wanderers slept where night found them.

6. When the last man had shot his arrows, another great shout arose.

7. As heroes fight, the Bruce fought.

8. She was a teacher when I knew her.

9. At last they came to a place where a noble oak spread its branches wide.

10. The apple fell because it was ripe.

 REFERENCE
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adverbial_clause
2. http://babelnet.sbg.ac.at/themepark/grammar/clausefunctions.htm
3. http://www.yourdictionary.com/dictionary-articles/Teaching-Adverbial-and-Adjective-
Clauses.html
4. http://my.opera.com/thuhaxd/blog/adverbial-clause-and-reduced-adverbial-clause
5. http://www.eslincanada.com/englishlesson5.html
6. http://www.towson.edu/ows/exerciseadvclause3.htm
7. http://www.towson.edu/ows/_vti_bin/shtml.dll/exerciseadvclause3.htm
8. http://www.towson.edu/ows/AdvAdjNomClause.htm#Adverbial%20clauses
9. http://chestofbooks.com/languages/english/Lessons/Chapter-XVIII-The-Adverbial-
Clause.html