Clauses are groups of words that include a subject and a predicate (the part of the sentence that tells what the subject does or is). One important type of clause in English is the adverbial clause. As the name suggests, an adverbial clause works like an adverb—it gives extra information about a verb, adjective, or another adverb in the main part of the sentence.
Adverbial clauses provide details such as when, where, why, how, or under what conditions something happens. They can express ideas about time, place, reason, condition, purpose, contrast, or concession. For example:
- She stayed home because she was feeling sick. (Reason)
- I’ll call you when I arrive. (Time)
- Although it was raining*, they went hiking.* (Contrast)
Adverbial clauses usually begin with subordinating conjunctions like when, where, because, if, although, even though, or in order that. These conjunctions link the adverbial clause to the main clause and show the relationship between them.
For instance:
- Condition: If it rains, we’ll stay indoors.
- Purpose: He left early so that he could catch the train.
What Is an Adverbial Clause?
An adverbial clause is a group of words that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence (a dependent clause) but acts like an adverb in a sentence. Its job is to give extra information about a verb, adjective, adverb, or even the whole sentence. Adverbial clauses explain when, where, why, how, or to what extent something happens, making the sentence more detailed and meaningful.
These clauses start with words called subordinating conjunctions, such as “when,” “where,” “because,” “although,” “if,” and “since.” These words connect the adverbial clause to the main clause and show the relationship between them. For example:
- We left early because the weather was bad. (Reason)
- I’ll visit you when I finish my work. (Time)
- Although it was late*, she continued studying.* (Concession)
Adverbial clauses can be grouped into types based on their function:
- Time: We went inside when it started raining.
- Place: He stays where it’s quiet.
- Reason: They canceled the event because it was snowing.
- Condition: If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
- Purpose: She left early so that she could catch the bus.
- Concession: Even though he was tired, he went for a run.
- Manner: She danced as if no one was watching.
Adverbial clauses can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence. For example:
- Beginning: Because she was tired, she went to bed early.
- Middle: She, although she was nervous, performed beautifully.
- End: He waited until the train arrived.
How to Use Adverb Clauses?
Using adverbial clauses effectively involves understanding their purpose, structure, and placement within a sentence. Here are some guidelines on how to use them appropriately in your writing or speech:
Function in a Sentence
As mentioned earlier adverbial clauses are used to provide additional information about actions in a sentence. They often answer questions like “When?” “Where?” “Why?” “How?” or “Under what conditions?” They add depth and context to sentences and can significantly affect the meaning of the main clause.
Identify the Purpose
Determine the specific type of adverbial clause you need based on the information you want to convey. Is it about time, place, manner, reason, condition, or purpose? Each type serves a different function, so choose the appropriate one for your context.
Understand Clause Structure
Adverbial clauses begin with a subordinating conjunction (e.g., “when,” “if,” “because”) and contain a subject and a verb. The subordinating conjunction connects the adverbial clause to the main clause.
Example:
- If you study hard (adverbial clause), you will pass the exam (main clause).
Position the Adverbial Clause
Adverbial clauses can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence, depending on the specific subordinating conjunction used and the intended emphasis. When they begin a sentence, they are often followed by a comma.
Example:
- Beginning: After I finish my work, I will go to the gym.
- Middle: I will go to the gym when I finish my work.
- End: I will go to the gym after I finish my work.
Punctuate Correctly
Punctuation: When adverbial clauses begin a sentence, they are often followed by a comma. However, when they appear at the end of a sentence, they usually don’t require a comma unless they are essential for clarity.
Example:
- After the rain stopped, we went for a walk. (comma)
- We went for a walk after the rain stopped. (no comma)
Choose the Right Subordinating Conjunction
Use an appropriate subordinating conjunction like “when,” “where,” “how,” “because,” “if,” or “so that” to introduce the adverbial clause.
Example:
- I’ll call you when I arrive.
Types of Adverbial Clauses
Adverbial clauses can be categorized based on the type of information they provide and their relationship to the main clause. Here are some common types:
Time Clause
These clauses indicate when an action took place or will take place. They are introduced by subordinating conjunctions like “when,” “while,” “as,” “before,” “after,” and “since.”
Example: I will call you when I get home.
Place Clause
These clauses specify the location or place where an action occurs. They are introduced by subordinating conjunctions like “where,” “everywhere,” and “anywhere.”
Example: She looked for her keys where she usually keeps them.
Manner Clause
These clauses describe how an action is performed. They are often introduced by subordinating conjunctions like “as if,” “as though,” “like,” and “the way.”
Example: He danced as if no one was watching.
Reason Clause
These clauses provide the reason or cause for an action. They are introduced by subordinating conjunctions like “because,” “since,” “as,” and “for.”
Example: She left early because she had an appointment.
Conditional Clause
These clauses express a condition that must be met for the main action to occur. They are introduced by subordinating conjunctions like “if,” “unless,” “provided that,” and “in case.”
Example: I’ll go to the party if I finish my work on time.
Purpose Clause
These clauses indicate the purpose or intention behind an action. They are introduced by subordinating conjunctions like “so that,” “in order that,” and “to.”
Example: She studied hard so that she could pass the exam.
Contrast Clause
Contrast clauses show a difference or contrast with the action in the main clause. Common subordinating conjunctions for contrast clauses include “although,” “though,” “while,” “whereas,” “but,” etc.
Example: She wanted to go out, although it was raining heavily.
Adverbial Clauses vs Adverbial Phrases
Adverbial clauses and adverbial phrases both provide extra information about verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, but they are different in structure and usage.
- Adverbial Clauses:
These are groups of words that include a subject and a verb. They act like adverbs within a sentence and give details such as when, where, why, how, or under what conditions something happens. Adverbial clauses are introduced by subordinating conjunctions like “when,” “if,” “because,” or “although.”- Example: Because he was tired, he went to bed early.
(This is an adverbial clause because it has a subject, “he,” and a verb, “was.”)
- Example: Because he was tired, he went to bed early.
- Adverbial Phrases:
These are groups of words that function as adverbs but do not have a subject and verb. Instead, they are made up of prepositions with their objects, adverbs, or modifiers. Adverbial phrases provide details in a shorter, simpler way.- Example: In the morning, we went for a walk.
(This is an adverbial phrase because it doesn’t have a subject or verb—it’s a prepositional phrase acting as an adverb.)
- Example: In the morning, we went for a walk.
Key Differences:
- Structure:
- Adverbial clauses have both a subject and a verb.
- Adverbial phrases do not have a subject-verb relationship.
- Detail:
- Adverbial clauses often provide more specific and detailed information.
- Adverbial phrases give concise details and are less complex.
- Independence:
- An adverbial clause is dependent but contains enough structure to form part of a complex sentence.
- An adverbial phrase is shorter and cannot function as part of a clause on its own.
Examples for Comparison:
- Adverbial Clause: Although it was raining, they played soccer.
- Adverbial Phrase: Despite the rain, they played soccer.
Understanding the difference between adverbial clauses and phrases helps improve sentence variety and clarity, allowing for more precise and engaging communication.
Examples of Adverbial Clauses
- Before sunrise, he woke up.
- Before dinner, I went for a walk.
- Wherever you go, I’ll follow.
- She left the keys where I could find them.
- Wherever they go, they have fun.
- He ran as fast as he could.
- She smiled as though nothing was wrong.
- If it rains, we’ll stay at home.
- Although it’s cold, I’m going for a swim.
- He exercised to stay healthy.
- Because he was late, he missed the bus.
- Although he studied hard, he didn’t pass the test.
- She studied hard so she could pass the test.
- Although he tried hard, he couldn’t win.
- She bought a gift for the party.