Adverb Clause
It is very important to study some key terminologies before studying adverb clauses.
Adverb
An adverb is a word that adds more to the meaning of a verb
by clarifying the question words when, where, how, and how often.
- He went to Peshawar yesterday.
- He went there to earn money.
- He always studies for at least 10 hours.
Clause
A clause is defined as a group of words including a subject
and a verb.
- Pakistani cricketers played well.
- They qualified for admission by securing high marks on the test.
Subordinate Conjunctions
There are conjunctions that we use to create dependent
clauses and connect them to independent clauses.
- When I finished my homework, I played football.
- He goes directly to a supermarket if he receives money.
Definition of Adverb Clause
An adverb clause is a clause that functions as an adverb by modifying a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. An adverb clause is a dependent clause that cannot stand alone to give a complete sense.
Examples of Adverb Clauses
- Whenever I go, he follows me.
- He feels as healthy as he ever did.
- They behave like they are not students.
- I will not eat at home since I will be late.
- Where you come first, you will be served first.
- You will not reach on time unless you go hurriedly.
- If you studied for the test, you would get 1st position.
- Whenever they come, we have dinner at our home.
- I closed the office earlier so I will reach there on time.
- Call me urgently when you come back from your class.
- I made everything so clear because he was in suspense.
- Although I have a business degree, I work as an English teacher.
- I want to take a computer course so that I will be able to work in HTML.
List of subordinate Conjunctions
After, although, as, as if, as for, as long as, as soon as,
as though, because, before, even if, even though, how, if, in order that, once,
provided (that), rather than, since, so long as, so (that), than, though, unless,
until, when, whenever, where, wherever, whether, while, why
Types of Adverb Clauses
Adverb Clause of Manner
An adverb clause of manner describes the action in the
independent clause by telling how the action performs. “As” and “like”
introduce adverb clauses of manner.
- He addressed the audience as it was his first speech.
- They seemed like they did not want to tell all about the matter.
Adverb Clause of Place
An adverb clause is a clause that modifies the action in the
main clause by telling where the action takes place. Conjunctions such as where
and wherever introduce adverb clauses of place.
- He is followed by the police wherever he goes.
- We walked beyond the border where we saw people from the other country.
Adverb Clause of Condition
An adverb of clause of condition communicates the conditions
related to the main clause. The following conjunctions introduce adverb clauses
of condition: If, even if, as if, unless
- If they call me, I will tell you immediately.
- I will not tell anyone unless you allow me.
Adverb Clause of Reason
An adverb clause of reason tells us about the reason for the
action being taken in the independent clause. Because, as, since, and that are
the conjunctions that introduce adverb clauses of reason.
- I drove to New York because the others did not know how to drive.
- My parents are disappointed that I did not get the scholarship.
Adverb Clause of Time
An adverb clause of time tells the time of the action being taken
in the main clause. Before, after, when, while, as, as long, as soon as, until,
and by the time are the subordinate conjunctions that create adverb clauses of
time.
- After you called me, I met him.
- We reached there by the time you called me.
Adverb Clause of Purpose
An adverb clause of purpose tells us about the purpose of an
action that is taken in the main clause. So that, so, in case, and in order
that are the subordinate conjunctions that introduce adverb clauses of purpose.
- I completed my homework so I will play.
- We should eat healthy foods so that we have good health.
Adverb Clause of Comparison
An adverb clause of comparison is used to compare itself
with the clause next to it. It is introduced by the conjunctions “as” or
“than”.
- You should work harder than you do for your exam.
- He is as good at mobile games as he is good at studies.
- He answered me as I expected.
Adverb Clause of Concession
An adverb of concession is used to contrast the clauses with
one another. Though, although, even though, whereas, and even if are the
subordinate conjunctions that introduce adverb clauses of concession.
- Although it was hot, we went out.
- I will be absent even if you don’t let me.
Properties of Adverb Clauses
An adverb clause is an assistant or subordinate. It can be
removed from a sentence without becoming the sentence wrong.
- An adverb clause is a dependent clause that cannot stand alone as a sentence.
- An adverb clause starts with a subordinate conjunction like because, if, so that, etc.
- An adverb clause has a subject and verb as it is the basic property of a clause.
- An adverb clause modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb as a general adverb does.
Punctuating Adverb Clauses
- An adverb clause is followed by a comma when it comes first.
- No comma is used when an adverb clause is preceded by an independent clause.
- An adverb clause is offset by commas when we use it in the middle of a sentence.
- While I was studying, the light went off.
- He calls earlier whenever he visits us.
- I remembered, before you called, that it was off.
