Adverbial Clauses

An adverbial clause is a dependent clause that functions as an adverb. In other words, it contains a subject (explicit or implied) and a predicate, and it modifies a verb.

• I saw Joe when I went to the store. (explicit subject 2)
• He sat quietly in order to appear polite. (implied subject he)

According to Sidney Greenbaum and Randolph Quirk, adverbial clauses function mainly as adjuncts or disjuncts. In these functions they are like adverbial phrases, but due to their potentiality for greater explicitness, they are more often like prepositional phrases (Greenbaum and Quirk,1990):

• We left after the speeches ended. (adverbial clause)
• We left after the end of the speeches. (adverbial prepositional phrase)

Contrast adverbial clauses with adverbial phrases, which do not contain a clause.

• I like to fly kites for fun.

Adverbial clauses modify verbs, adjectives or other adverbs. For example:

• Hardly had I reached the station when the train started to leave the platform.

The adverbial clause in this sentence is "when the train started to leave the platform" because it is a subordinate clause and because it has the trigger word (subordinate conjunction) "when".


Kind of Adverbial Clauses

 

 

Type of Clause	Function	Subordinate Conjunctions	Sentences
Time	These clauses are used to say when something happens by referring to a period of time or to another event.	When	Her goldfish died when she was young.
		Before	Before he comes, she will turn on the television.
		After	We will study together after school
		Since	She hasn’t listened to the radio since he came.
		While	While he was watching to the television, she knocked at the door.
		As	As he was reading newspaper, she turn on the television.
		As long as	He will never come so long as she doesn’t call him.
		Until	She stayed at home until he came.
		Till	I'll wait till you finish.
		Whenever	You should visit whenever you can.
Conditional	These clauses are used to talk about a possible or counterfactual situation and its consequences.	If	If you save some money, you can buy a new game
		Unless	Unless you hurry, you will be late for school.
Purpose	These clauses are used to indicate the purpose of an action.	So that	So that he would not ruin the carpet, he took off his shoes.
		In order to	He ate vegetables in order to stay healthy.
		In order that	He is going to make a registration in order that he can take course.
Reason	These clauses are used to indicate the reason for something.	Because	She passed the course because she worked hard.
		Since	Since he has long hair, he wears a ponytail.
		As	As they graduated, they were looking for jobs.
Result	These clauses are used to indicate the result of something.	So...that	My suitcase had become so damaged on the journey home that the lid would not stay closed.
Concession	These clauses are used to make two statements, one of which contrasts with    the other or makes it seem surprising.	Although	Although you gave it your best, you did not win the match.
		Even though	Even though you are 15, you can’t go to that movie.
		Though	Though he is poor, he is honest.
Place	These clauses are used to talk about the location or position of something.	Where	He said he was happy where he was.
		Wherever	Wherever there is music, people will often dance.
		Anywhere	I can’t find my blog from anywhere in the world.
		Everywhere	Everywhere she goes, she brings a bag.
Comparison	Adverb as is a clause which states comparison.	As...as	Johan can speak English as fluently as his teacher.
Manner	These clauses are used to talk about someone's behavior or the way something is done.	As	I was never allowed to do things as I wanted to do them.
		As if	He ate as if he were starving for months.
		As though	He cried as though he is in pain.