An Adverbial clause is a dependent clause that functions as an adverb.
In other words, it contains a subject (explicit or implied) and 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 Radolph 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 clauses)
·
We left after the end of appear polite.
(adverbial prepositional phrases)
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 clauses in this
sentences 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”.
Kinds of Adverbial Clauses
Kind of Clause
|
Function
|
Subordinate
Conjunctions
|
Example
|
Time Clauses
|
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
she comes, she will turn
on the radio.
|
||
After
|
After the
chores are done,
we
will eat ice cream.
|
||
Since
|
Since he has
long hair,
he
wears a ponytail.
|
||
While
|
A crow
attacked your cat while
I was
waiting for the bus.
|
||
As
|
As she was listening to the radio, he knocked at the door. | ||
As long as
|
He won't come, as long as she smoke. | ||
Untill
|
Tommy scrubbed the bathroom
tile until
his arms ached.
|
||
Till
|
I'll wait till you finish. | ||
Whenever
|
You should visit whenever you can.
|
||
Conditional
Clauses
|
These clauses are used to talk about a possible or
counterfactual situation and its consequences.
|
If
|
If they lose weight during an
illness, they soon regain it afterwards.
|
Unless
|
Unless you
hurry,
you will be
late for school.
|
||
Purpose
Clauses
|
These clauses are used to indicate the purpose of
an action.
|
So that
|
They had to take some of his
land so that they could extend
the churchyard.
|
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 Clauses
|
These clauses are used to indicate the reason for something.
|
Because
|
I couldn't feel anger against
him because I liked him too much.
|
Since
|
Since it
is your birthday, you
can sit
in the front.
|
||
As
|
Everyone should see that film
as it is very
famous.
|
||
Result Clauses
|
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
Clauses
|
These clauses are used to make two statements, one
of which contrasts with the other or makes it seem surprising.
|
Although
|
I used to read a lot although I don't
get much time for books now.
|
Even though
|
Even though
you are 13,
you
can’t go to that movie.
|
||
Though
|
Though he is
poor,
he is honest.
|
||
Place Clauses
|
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
camera.
|
||
Clause of
Comparison
|
Adverb as is a clause which states comparison.
|
As...as
|
Johan can speak English as
fluently as his teacher.
|
Clauses of
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.
|
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