Adverbial clause

An adverbial clause is a dependent clause that functions as an adverb[1]. That is, the entire clause modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb . As with all clauses, it contains a subject and predicate, though the subject as well as the (predicate) verb may sometimes be omitted and implied (see below).[2]

An adverbial clause is fronted by a subordinating conjunction—sometimes called a trigger word. (In the examples below the adverbial clause is italicized and the subordinating 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 verb met)
  • 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 [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 and Quirk, 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 predicate—and 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)

Types

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

Type of clause Common conjunctions Function Example
time Conjunctions answering the question "when?", such as: when, before, after, since, while, as, as long as, till, until, etc.;

or the paired (correlative) conjunctions: hardly...when, scarcely...when, barely...when, no sooner...than[3]

 These clauses:

Say when something happens by referring to a period or point of time, or to another event.

 Her goldfish died when she was young.

He came after night had fallen.

We barely had gotten there when mighty Casey struck out.

condition if, unless, lest, provided that Talk about a possible or counterfactual situation and its consequences. If they lose weight during an illness, they soon regain it afterwards.
purpose in order to, so that, in order that, in case Indicate the purpose of an action. They had to take some of his land so that they could extend the churchyard.
reason because, since, as, given Indicate the reason for something. I couldn't feel anger against him because I liked him too much.
concession although, though, while Make two statements, one of which contrasts with the other or makes it seem surprising. I used to read a lot, though I don't have much time for books now.
place Answering the question "where?": where, wherever, anywhere, everywhere, etc. Talk about the location or position of something. He said he was happy where he was.
comparison as...as, than, as State comparison of a skill, size or amount, etc. Johan can speak English as fluently as his teacher.

She is a better cook than I.

manner Answering the question, "how"?: as, like Talk about someone's behavior or the way something is done. I was never allowed to do things as I wanted to do.

He spent a lot of money as if he was very rich.

results so...that, such...that Indicate the result(s) of an act or event. My suitcase had become so damaged that the lid would not stay closed.

References
  1. Heusinger, Klaus von; Maienborn, Claudia; Portner, Paul (2011-12-23). Semantics. Volume 2. Walter de Gruyter. ISBN 978-3-11-025507-2.
  2. "Grammar Lesson - Reducing Adverb Clauses - ELC". ELC - English Language Center. 2014-03-17. Retrieved 2018-01-24.
  3. HARDLY, SCARCELY, BARELY, NO SOONER

Further reading
  • Greenbaum, Sidney & Quirk, Randolph. A Student's Grammar of the English Language. Hong Kong: Longman Group (FE) Ltd, 1990.
  • Sinclair, John (editor-in-chief). Collins Cobuild English Grammar. London and Glasgow: William Collins Sons & Co ltd, 1990.
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