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Adverbial Clause

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Adverbial clause

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


An adverbial clause is a dependent clause that functions as an adverb; that is, the entire clause modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. As with all clauses, it
contains a subject and predicate, although the subject as well as the (predicate) verb may sometimes be omitted and implied (see below).
An adverbial clause is commonly, but not always, fronted by a subordinate conjunctionsometimes called a trigger word. (In the examples below the adverbial clause is
italicized and the subordinate conjunction is bolded.)

Mary, the aspiring actress, became upset as soon as she saw the casting list.
(subject: she; predicate: saw the casting list; the clause modifies the verb became)

Peter Paul, the drama teacher, met with Mary after she came to the next class.
(explicit subject: she; predicate: came to the next class.; predicate (verb): came; the clause modifies the verbmet;)

He talked carefully in order to appear fair.


He talked carefully in order .. [that 'he'] appear fair.
(implied subject, he, is omitted; predicate (verb): appear; the clause modifies the adverb carefully)

The little boy preferred fierce dinosaurs, as T rex.


The little boy preferred fierce dinosaurs, as [was] T rex.
(subject of the clause: T rex; predicate of the clause: [was], implied; the clause modifies the adjective fierce.)
According to Sidney Greenbaum and Randolph Quirk, adverbial clauses function mainly as adjuncts or disjuncts, which parts also perform in a sentence
as adverbial phrases or as adverbial prepositional phrases (Greenbaum andQuirk,1990). Unlike clauses, phrases do not contain a subject and predicate;
they are contrasted here:

We left the convention the day before.


(adverbial phrase; contains no subject or predicate)

We left before the speeches.


(adverbial prepositional phrase; contains no subject or predicateand no verb (action) is implied)

We left after the speeches ended.


(adverbial clause; contains subject and predicate)

We left after the speeches.


or, (".. after the speeches [ended]")
(adverbial clause; contains subject and predicate, but the verb 'ended' is omitted and implied)

Contents
[hide]

1Types
2References
3Further reading
4External links

Types[edit]
Adverbial clauses are divided into several groups according to the actions or senses of their conjunctions:

Type of clause Common conjunctions Function Example

Conjunctions answering the question "when?", Her goldfish died when she was
such as: when, before, after, since, while, as, as These clauses: young.
long as, till, until, etc.; Say when something happens by
time He came after night had fallen.
or the paired (correlative) conjunctions: referring to a period or point of
hardly...when, scarcely...when, barely...when, no time, or to another event. We barely had gotten there when
sooner...than[1] mighty Casey struck out.

Talk about a possible or


If they lose weight during an illness,
condition if, unless, lest counterfactual situation and its
they soon regain it afterwards.
consequences.

They had to take some of his land so


purpose in order to, so that, in order that Indicate the purpose of an action. that they could extend the
chuchyard.

I couldn't feel anger against


reason because, since, as, given Indicate the reason for something.
him because I liked him too much.

Make two statements, one of which


I used to read a lotalthough I don't
concession although, though, while contrasts with the other or makes it
get much time for books now.
seem surprising.

Answering the question "where?": where, Talk about the location or position
place He said he was happywhere he was.
wherever, anywhere, everywhere, etc. of something.

Johan can speak Englishas fluently


State comparison of a skill, size or as his teacher.
comparison as...as, than, as
amount, etc.
She is a better cook than I.

Talk about someone's behavior or I was never allowed to do things as I


manner Answering the question, "how"?: as, like, the way
the way something is done. wanted to do them.
My suitcase had
Indicate the result(s) of an act or
results so...that, such...that becomeso damaged that the lid
event.
would not stay closed.

although
(olu) conjunction
in spite of the fact that. Although he hurried, the shop was closed when he got there.aunque ; a pesar de que

although should not be followed by but: Although he is poor, he is honest (not Although he is poor but he is honest).

although
though
1. used as conjunctions

You use although or though to introduce a subordinate clause in which you mentionsomething that contrasts with what you are saying in the main clause. T
hough is notused in very formal English.
I can't play the piano, although I took lessons for years.
It wasn't my decision, though I think I agree with it.

You can put even in front of though for emphasis.


She wore a coat, even though it was a very hot day.

Don't put 'even' in front of although.

Be Careful!
When a sentence begins with although or though, don't use 'but' or 'yet' to introduce themain clause. Don't say, for example, 'Although he was late, yet he s
topped to buy asandwich'. You say 'Although he was late, he stopped to buy a sandwich'.
Although he was English, he spoke fluent French.
Though he hadn't stopped working all day, he wasn't tired.

Be Careful!
Don't use although or though in front of a noun phrase. Don't say, for example, 'Althoughhis hard work, he failed his exam'. You say 'In spite of his hard w
ork, he failed his exam'or 'Despite his hard work, he failed his exam'.
In spite of poor health, my father was always cheerful.
Despite her confidence, Cindy was uncertain what to do next.
2. 'though' used as an adverb

Though is sometimes an adverb. You use it when you are making a statement thatcontrasts with what you have just said. You usually put though after the f
irst phrase inthe sentence.
Fortunately though, this is a story with a happy ending.
For Ryan, though, it was a busy year.

In conversation, you can also put though at the end of a sentence.


I can't stay. I'll have a coffee though.

Although is never an adverb.

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