EL171 RW U5 Grammar Focus and Writing (65-68)

An adverbial clausealso called a subordinate clauseis a dependent clause that functions as

an adverb; that is, the entire clause modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. As with all
clauses, it contains a subject and predicate, although the subject as well as the (predicate) verb may
sometimes be omitted and implied.
An adverbial clause is usually, but not always, fronted by a subordinate conjunctionsometimes called
a trigger word. (In the examples below the adverbial clause is italicized and the subordinate conjunction
is bolded.)

Mary, the aspiring actress, became upset as soon as she saw the casting list.
(subject: she; predicate: saw the casting list; the clause modifies the verb became)
Peter Paul, the drama teacher, met with Mary after she came to the next class.
(explicit subject: she; predicate: came to the next class.; predicate (verb): came; the clause
modifies the verb met;)
He talked carefully in order to appear fair.
He talked carefully in order .. [that 'he'] appear fair.
(implied subject, he, is omitted; predicate (verb): appear; the clause modifies the
adverb carefully)
The little boy preferred fierce dinosaurs, as T rex.
The little boy preferred fierce dinosaurs, as [was] T rex.
(subject of the clause: T rex; predicate of the clause: [was], implied; the clause modifies the
adjective fierce.)

The following are different types of adverb clauses with specific subordinate conjunctions:

1. Time: when, while, since, as, after, before, until, etc.
Function: Say when something happens by referring to a period or point of time, or to another
event.
a. While the power struggle between old and new intensified, Akhenaten became more autocratic
and the regime more corrupt.
b. When the lid of the third coffin was raised, King Tut's royal mummy was revealed, preserved for
more than 3,000 years.
c. As archaeologists examined the mummy, they20 found other artifacts, including bracelets, rings
and collars.

2. Reason: because, since, as
Function: Indicate the reason for something.
a. As the populace was forced to honor Aten, the religious conversion threw ancient Egyptian
society into chaos.
b. Since both men didnt like monotheism, they reversed Akhenaten's decree to worship Aten, in
favor of the traditional polytheistic beliefs.
c. Because Tutankhamun and his wife had no children, his death at age 19 brought further turmoil
to the court.

3. Concession: although, even though
Function: Make two statements, one of which contrasts with the other or makes it seem
surprising.
a. His short reign of eight to nine years accomplished little although the discovery of his nearly
intact tomb in 1922 has led many to unravel the mysteries to his life and death.
b. Tutankhamun was good at archery even though it is unlikely that he saw any military action.

4. Contrast: while, whereas
Function: State comparison or contrast of a skill, size or amount, etc.
a. Lore Carnarvon was ready to give up the project, while Howard Carter persisted that
Tutankhamun s tomb had to be hidden, so he pleaded for one more season of digging.
b. Mr. Davis found fragments of gold foil with Tutankhamun and Ankhesenamun (King Tut's wife)
inlaid upon a cup. Whereas the clue was disregarded by Davis, Carter found the item to be very
interesting.

5. Purpose: so that, in order that
Function: Indicate the purpose of an action.
a. Carter went to Lord Carnarvon in order that he would ask Carnarvon to finance his search for
Tutankhamuns tomb.
b. Carter spent his last years so that he could log and record every artifact found in the tomb.

6. Condition: if, unless
Function: Talk about a possible or counterfactual situation and its consequences.
a. Howard Carter promised Carnarvon if nothing turned up, he would pay for the dig himself.
b. Carnarvon would not have died after the discovery unless he had been bitten on the cheek by a
mosquito.

More examples on adverbial clause:
A. Combine the following sentences using adverb clauses at the end of the sentence.
We watched the robins. They raised their young in our apple tree.
Suggested answer: We watched the robins while they raised their young in our apple tree.

Becky read the book. It was recommended by a friend.
Suggested answer: Becky read the book since it was recommended by a friend.

Dad donates his suits to charity. He has worn them a year.
Suggested answer: Dad donates his suits to charity after he has worn them a year.

The policemen delayed the drivers. The wrecks were cleared.
Suggested answer: The policemen delayed the drivers until the wrecks were cleared.

Ann ate an apple. She studied her vocabulary.
Suggested answer: Ann ate an apple as she studied her vocabulary.

B. Combine the following sentences using adverb clauses at the beginning of the sentence.

Frank started medical training. He drove a forklift for a living.
Suggested answer: Before Frank started medical training, he drove a forklift for a living.

The rains had started the mud slides. The homes were not safe to live in.
Suggested answer: Because the rains had started the mud slides, the homes were not safe
to live in.

Older people love to sit in the park. They feed the birds and visit.
Suggested answer: While they feed the birds and visit, older people love to sit in the park.

I enjoyed camping out. I was much younger.
Suggested answer: When I was much younger, I enjoyed camping out.

Joe recognised the man. The man had stopped his car to help.
Suggested answer: After the man had stopped his car to help, Joe recognised him.

Answers key for Exercise 6 (66-67)

1. A: when
B: so that

2. His mother: because , when
The boy: because

3. B: unless

4. After
Mrs. McIntosh: unless

5. while

6. Although , because , as

Answers key for Exercise 7 (67-68)

1. Today, most ancient Greek buildings are white stone while two hundred years ago, they
were brightly painted.
2. After the culture flourished for over a thousand years, it began a decline and finally
disappeared.
3. Most religions use art to make spiritual ideas more concrete because belief is abstract and
invisible.
4. The Egyptians mummified their bodies after death so that they could achieve rebirth in the
after life.
5. Although most ordinary Egyptians were monogamous, the pharaohs often had more than
one wife.
6. The Egyptians believed that the soul had to travel aimlessly for all eternity if the body was
destroyed.
7. Many Pyramid builders died quite young because they usually suffered accidents and
injuries.
8. Since archaeologists excavated the pharaohs tomb, they now know more about the
ancient Egyptian lives.