The Adverb Clause

How? Where? When? Why?

To what extent? Under what condition?

Where can you find an adverb?

Adverbs modify: VERBS, ADJECTIVES,
and other

ADVERBS

therefore you can find them:

Nearly anywhere in the sentence However, they are usually near the verb, adjective or adverb they modify (but not always)

Examples: He can run fast. (tells: how he can run) She really likes soccer. (tells: to what extent, she likes)

More Examples:
They can swim really quickly.
(modifies the adverb quickly. It answers How quickly?)

He is not enjoying this activity.

(Just remember the word not is always an adverb.)

She is always late for class.

(The words always, never, sometimes, rarely, etc. are also adverbs)

Adverbs answer where

Your book is here. Your pencil is there. The birds are flying high. The plane is flying by.

Adverbs answer when

He came home late. She woke early. They are performing now. She will do her homework later.

Unlike an adverb or an adverb phrase, an adverb clause has a subject and a verb
ADVERB: They will leave soon. ADVERB PHRASE: They will leave (in a few minutes). ADVERB CLAUSE: S V They will leave when they are ready.

Definition
An adverb clause is a subordinate (dependent clause) that modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb. Like an adverb an adverb clause tells where, when, how, why, to what extent or under what condition.

Adverb Clauses can also be found nearly anywhere in the sentence

beginning, middle or end EXAMPLES: You may sit wherever you wish. (modifies the verb sit and tells where) When spring sets in, many students go crazy. (modifies the verb go and tells when) Rachel and Sloane look as though they have some exciting news for us. (modifies the verb look, telling how R. and S. look)

More examples
Happy because she made an A, Katie hurried to phone her mom.
(modifies the adjective Happy, telling why Katie was happy.)

Jake can climb higher than I can.

(modifies the adverb higher, telling to what extent or how much higher Jake can climb)

If it does not rain tomorrow, we will go to the beach for class.

(modifies the verb will go, telling under what condition we will go to the beach.)

COMMA RULES
When an adverb clause begins a sentence, it is followed by a comma. comma

Subordinating Conjunctions:
An adverb clause is introduced by a subordinating conjunctiona word that shows the relationship between the adverb clause and the word or words that the clause modifies.

Common Subordinating Conjunctions:

after although as as if as long as as soon as as though because before how if in order that since so that than though unless until when whenever where wherever whether while

NOTE!
The words after, as, before, since, and until are also commonly used as prepositions. Example: PREPOSITION: (After lunch) well finish building the rocket. SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION: After you wash the dishes, you can make the bed.

SUBORDINATE (DEPENDENT) CLAUSES:

Adjective Clause

Adverb Clause

Noun Clause

Relative Pronoun

Relative Adverb

Subordinating Conjunction