3. Adverbial Clause

The adverbial clause contains a subject and a verb and functions as an adverb that modifies verb, adjective, or another adverb. It adds extra information about the time, place, manner, etc to a sentence. As a dependent clause, it cannot stand on its own, but must be connected to the main clause (or independent clause) to form a complete sentence.

The adverbial clause starts with a subordinating conjunction and may come before or after the main clause. When it comes before the main clause, a comma is used to separate the two clauses. When it comes after the main clause, no comma is necessary.

Examples:

He shook my hand before he died .
He ate the whole, big pizza although he said he was full ..
The wife now sleeps in another room because the husband snores loudly .
My best friend, Bill and I once fought bravely against each other when we were classmates .

The adverbial clause is placed in the beginning or at the end of a sentence.

In the beginning :

Examples:

Unless you learn to keep quiet , I shall not go to the library with you.
While her father was asleep , his little daughter shot his face with a water pistol.
As soon as we heard the news , all of us cried.

At the end (using the same subordinating conjunctions):

Examples:

The eldest daughter doesn’t help with housework unless she is paid .
Mum alone is doing the cooking while the children wait to eat .
He snores when he falls asleep .

When the adverb clause comes at the beginning of a sentence, a comma is required after the adverb clause.

Examples:

When we were classmates , Bill and I once fought bravely against each other.
Since we have caught no fish for dinner , we may decide to buy some at the market.
Whenever he visits his mother-in-law, he always brings along a magazine to read.

The adverbial clause performs different functions. For example, it shows the time, place, manner, etc of an occurrence.

Clauses of time – These clauses show when something happens.

Conjunctions used in clauses of time include after , as , as long as , as soon as , before , since , so long as , until , when , whenever , and while .

Examples:

He's not honest as he claims to be .
Before he drew his last breath , he shook my hand. �
When she heard the news , she wept tears of joy. .

Clauses of place – These clauses show where something is or happens.

Conjunctions used in clauses of place anywhere , everywhere , where , wherever .

Examples:

Everywhere we went , the wind kept blowing sand into our faces.
That is the farm where I saw a lot of scorpions .
She brings along an umbrella wherever she goes .

Clauses of manner – These clauses show the way something is done.

Conjunctions used in clauses of manner include � as , as though , like .

Examples:

As I have told you a hundred times , don’t disturb that hornets.
She looked pale as though she had seen a few ghosts .
He treats his dog like his own brother .

Clauses of purpose – These clauses show the purpose of doing something.

Conjunctions used in clauses of purpose include lest , in order that/to , so , so that , that .

Examples:

Let me remind you lest you forget that you still owe me ten dollars.
In order to make the soup taste good , she added too much salt..
Please be quiet so I can sleep ..

Clauses of reason – These clauses show why something happens.

Conjunctions used include as , as long as , because , in order that , now that , since, so

Examples:

As we were both tired , we agreed to stop playing.

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She got stung because she went too close to the wasp’s nest .
Since there are no dishes under ten dollars , let’s get out of here.

Clauses of condition – These clauses show a possible situation.

Conjunctions used in clauses of condition include even if , if , in case, in the event that , in case , only if , provided , providing , unless, whether or not .

Examples:

If he were not such a heavy smoker , he would be alive today.
I will dine with you, provided you pay the bill.
I’m going to take away your television unless you pay me back the money .

Clauses of contrast

These clauses show clear differences : ‘this thing’ is exactly the opposite of ‘that thing’.

Conjunctions used include although , despite , even if , even though , however , in spite of , regardless of , though , whereas , while .

Examples:

Despite her parents’ objections , she insisted on driving fast.
The wife is fat and short, while the husband is skinny and tall .
Why good people die young, whereas bad ones live longer ?