Reduced adverb clauses

Some adverb clauses can be reduced to phrases without changing their meaning. Remember that a
clause contains a subject and a verb, but a phrase does not.
An adverb clause can be reduced to an adverb phrase only when the subject of the independent clause
is the same as the subject of the adverb clause. Examples of how adverb clauses are reduced:
1. Time sequences with after, before, once, since, until, when, and while:
After they sang two songs, the performers did a dance. (clause)
After singing two songs, the performers did a dance. (phrase)

Before he answers the phone, he grabbed a pencil and notepad. (clause)
Before answering the phone, he grabbed a pencil and notepad. (phrase).

Once he had been challenged to play tennis, Tim wouldnt stop practicing. (clause)
Once challenged to play tennis, Tim wouldnt stop practicing. (phrase)

Since she finished studying at the university, Ellen has gone on to become a successful designer.
(clause)
Since studying at the university, Ellen has gone on to become a successful designer. (phrase)

He fidgeted with his keys until he dropped them. (clause)
He fidgeted with his keys until dropping them. (phrase)

When she is working in her garden, Jan always wears a floppy hat. (clause)
When working in her garden, Jan always wears a floppy hat. (phrase)

While George was away in London, he wrote daily. (clause)
While away in London, George wrote daily. (phrase)

2. Giving reasons with because
When a clause introduced by because is reduced, because is omitted and the verb changes form:

Because she had always been interested in sports, Linda became an avid supporter of the
team.
Having always been interested in sports, Linda became an avid supporter of the team. (phrase)

3. Clauses of concession with although, despite, in spite of, though, and while:

Although he was hurt, Jack managed to smile. (clause)
Although hurt, Jack managed to smile. (phrase)

Despite the fact that she was ill, Lisa went on stage. (clause)
Despite being ill, Lisa went on stage. (phrase)

In spite of the fact that she works long hours, Joan spends a lot of time with her family. (clause)
In spite of working long hours, Joan spends a lot of time with her family. (phrase)

Though I am capable of making cakes, I prefer to bake cookies. (clause)
Though capable of making cakes, I prefer to bake cookies. (phrase)

While I am fond of Jeff, I dont want to marry him. (clause)
While fond of Jeff, I dont want to marry him. (phrase)

The verb in a reduced adverb clause can be in one of two forms. The ing form is used for the active
voice, and the ed form (the past particle) is used for the passive voice:

active voice
Present tense:
When I work, I forget to eat.
When working, I forget to eat.
Past tense:
While he was studying, he heard the explosion.
While studying, he heard the explosion.
Perfect tenses:
After he had finished the book, he put it on the table.
After finishing the book, he put it on the table.
After having finished the book, he put it on the table.

passive voice
Present tense:
The building will be used as a convention center when it is completed.
When completed, the building will be used as a convention center.
Past tense:
When the boy was told to go to bed, he began to cry.
When told to go to bed, the boy began to cry.
Perfect tenses:
Because the house has been remodeled, it will get more on the market.
Having been remodeled, the house will get more on the market.

When the subject of an adverb clause and the subject of the independent clause are not the same, the
adverb clause cannot be reduced. Reducing the adverb clause changes the meaning:

Same subject:
Ever since she graduated, Sue has been working for an engineering firm. (clause)
Ever since graduating, Sue has been working for an engineering firm. (phrase)
Different subjects:
After Sue graduating, her parents retired. (clause)
(= The daughter graduated, then her parents retired.)
After graduating, her parents retired. (phrase)
(= Her parents graduated, then her parents retired.)
Adverb clauses, beginning with as or as soon as,, cannot be reduced:
Correct: As he was walking, he kept stopping to look at the flowers.
Incorrect: As walking, he kept stopping to look at the flowers.