THE ADVERB CLAUSE

Reporter: Mark Ryan J. Bacus

What Is an Adverb?

 An adverb is a part of speech that describes an adjective,

another adverb or a verb. Adverbs give more information
about how an action was performed. In general, they answer
questions like, how, why, where and when.
An adverb does this with just one word, but groups of words can
also perform this function in sentences. For example:

 She walked slowly.

 She walked like an old lady.
 She walked as if she were heading to the gallows.

In each of these sentences, the italicized word or words answer

the question how and describe the verb "walked." In the first
sentence there is only one adverb, but in the other two sentences,
a group of words work together to act as an adverb.
What Is a Clause?
 A clause is a group of words that contain both a subject and a
verb. This differs from a phrase, which doesn't have a subject
and a verb. For example, let's revisit our examples of words
being used together as adverbs:

She walked like an old lady.

She walked as if she were heading to the gallows.

 In these examples, "like an old lady" does not contain a

subject and a verb, and is, therefore, an adverb phrase.
However, "as if she were heading to the gallows" does
contain a subject (she) and a verb (were heading), making it
an adverb clause.
Adverb Clauses
 is a group of words that function as an adverb in a sentence.
Adverb clauses can be used to add explanatory detail to your
writing and explain how or why things happen.

 also known as adverbial clauses, are dependent clauses that

function as adverbs. Since they are dependent clauses, they
must have a subordinating conjunction to connect them to
the rest of the sentence.
 Adverb clauses can be placed at the beginning, middle or end
of a sentence. When placed at the beginning or in the middle,
they require a comma to offset them from the rest of the
sentence
 Whether you like it or not, you have to go.
 The boy, although he is very bright, failed math.
However, when the adverb clause is at the end of a sentence, no
comma is needed:
 She enjoyed the party more than he did.
Adverb Clauses of Place:
These adverbial clauses answer the question where.
 Wherever there is music, people will dance.
 You can drop by for a visit where we're staying for the summer.

Adverb Clauses of Time:

These adverbial clauses answer the question when.
 After the chores are done, we will eat some ice cream.
 When the clock strikes midnight, she has to leave.

Adverb Clauses of Cause:

These adverb clauses answer the question why.
 She passed the course because she worked hard.
 Since he has long hair, he wears a ponytail.
Adverb Clauses of Purpose:
These adverb clauses also answer the question why.
 So that he would not ruin the carpet, he took off his shoes.
 He ate vegetables in order that he could stay healthy.

Adverb Clauses of Condition:

These adverb clauses answer the question how.
 If you save some money, you can buy a new game.
 Unless you hurry, you will be late for school.

Adverb Clauses of Concession:

These adverb clauses answer the question how, albeit in a
roundabout way.
 Even though you are 13, you can't go to that movie.
 Although you gave it your best effort, you did not win the match.
Being able to spot a subordinating conjunction will help you
recognize an adverb clause. Below are some examples, which
are grouped by what type of adverb question they answer:

 When: after, when, until, soon, before, once, while, as soon

as, whenever, by the time
 How: if, whether or not, provided, in case, unless, even if, in
the event
 Why: because, as, since, so, in order that, now that, in as
much as
 Where: wherever, where
Examples:
 Unless you run fast, you will miss the bus.
 My sister, when she is angry, will turn red in the face.
 Elephants, although they are large, are not predators.
 Chocolate, because it has a low melting point, can be difficult to
bake with.
 Give us a call when you get back from your trip.
 We need to find the bar where they asked us to wait.
Exercises: Identify the Adverb Clause
 The fireworks show will start after the sun goes down.
 The cat made herself at home in the apartment as if she had
always lived there.
 Frank ran the race as though his life depended on it.
 He remembered, after he left the house, that he needed to
mail the thank you cards.
 Before we go on vacation, we must make reservations
 Since I'll be working late, I'll eat downtown.
 Now that everyone has left the party, we need to start
cleaning.
Exercises: Give an adverb clause
1. The women took notes ________________________.
a. While being taught to cook
b. Steadily
c. Noisily
d. For their children

2. We will go to the game __________________.

a. Friday
b. Even if it rains
c. Saturday
d. Sometime
3.You can put the package ____________________.
a. Outside
b. Inside
c. Wherever you like
d. Somewhere
4. ___________________, you will not be punished.
a. Since you have apologized
b. We decided
c. He told me
d.You are lucky
5. She was so tired _____________________.
a. She left
b. She cried
c. Today
d. That she could not stand
References:

 https://www.k12reader.com/term/adverb-clause/

 Home • Terms • Exercises • MOOC • Handouts • Presenta

tions •Videos • Rules • About • Shop• Feedback
 ©1997 - 2019 by Robin L. Simmons*

 https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-adverb-
clauses.html