Adverbial clause

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An adverb clause is a dependent clause that functions as an adverb. In other words, it contains
a subject (explicit or implied) and apredicate, 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 (Greenbaumand 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".
Contents
[hide]
1 Types
2 References
3 Further reading
4 External links
Types[edit]
Type of
Clause
Common Conjunctions Function Example
clauses of
time
when, before, after, since, while, as, as long
as, until,till, etc. (conjunctions that answer
the question "when?"); thepaired (correlative)
conjunctions hardly ... when, scarcely ...
when, barely ... when, no sooner ... than
[1]

These clauses are used to
say when something
happens by referring to a
period of time or to another
event.
Her goldfish
died when she was
young.
clause of
condition
if, unless, lest
These clauses are used to
talk about a possible or
counterfactual situation and
If they lose weight
during an illness, they
soon regain it
its consequences. afterwards.
clauses of
purpose
in order to, so that, in order that
These clauses are used to
indicate the purpose of an
action.
They had to take some
of his land so that they
could extend the
chuchyard.
clauses of
reason
because, since, as, given
These clauses are used to
indicate the reason for
something.
I couldn't feel anger
against him because I
liked him too much.
clause of
concession
although, though, while
These clauses are used to
make two statements, one
of which contrasts with the
other or makes it seem
surprising.
I used to read a lot
although I don't get
much time for books
now.
clauses of
place
where, wherever, anywhere, everywhere, etc.
(conjunctions that answer the question
"where?")
These clauses are used to
talk about the location or
position of something.
He said he was
happywhere he was.
clause of
comparison
as
Adverb as is a clause which
states comparison.
Johan can speak
English as fluently as
his teacher.
clauses of
manner
as, like, the way
These clauses are used to
talk about someone's
behavior or the way
something is done,
answering the question,
"How?".
I was never allowed to
do things as I wanted
to do them.
result
clauses
so...that, such...that
These clauses are used to
indicate the result of
something.
My suitcase had
become so damaged
on the journey
home that the lid
would not stay closed.
References[edit]