Adverb clause
What is an adverb?
An adverb is a part of speech that modifies or describes verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs in a sentence. It provides information about how, when, why, or to what extent or state of being occurs.
Examples of adverbs are:
1. I often read books while traveling. (modifies the verb “read”, indicating how often the action occurs)
2. He walks fast. (modifies the verb “walks”, indicating how he walks)
3. She ate quickly (modifies the verb “ate”, indicating how she ate)
4. They arrive late (modifies the verb “arrives”, indicating when they arrived)
5. The bird flew high above the mountain (modifies the verb “flew”, indicating where the bird flew)
Did you know?
Adverbs can also be formed from adjectives by adding the suffix “-ly” such as;
quickly from quick
sadly from sad
happily from happy and so on.
Remember
However, not all adverbs end in “-ly”, and not all words that end in “ly” are adverbs.
Let’s see in detail about adverbs in a different post. Now let’s move on to the current topic Adverb clause.
What is adverb clause?
An adverb clause is a group of words that includes a subject and a verb and functions as an adverb within a sentence. It is a dependent clause that cannot stand alone as a sentence but must be connected to an independent clause to form a complete sentence.
Why use an adverb clause?
Adverb clauses modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs and they provide information about time, place, reason, condition, manner, or contrast.
How to identify an adverb clause in a sentence?
Adverb clauses are introduced by subordinating conjunctions such as “when”, “where”, “while”, “because”, “if”, “since”, “although”, “unless” and so.
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Types of adverb clauses
Adverb clause of time
Example: When I finish my gym, I’ll go to work.
Solution: Ask the question “when”, and we get the answer as, ‘When I finish my gym‘. This is the adverb clause and is introduced by asking the question “when”.
Adverb clause of reason
Example: Because it was raining, we decided not to go to the party.
Solution: Ask the question “why”, and we get the answer as, ‘Because it was raining‘. This is the adverb clause and is introduced by asking the question “why”.
Adverb clause of condition
Example: If you work hard, you will be successful.
Solution: Ask the question “when”, we get the answer as, ‘If you work hard‘. This is the adverb clause and is introduced by “if”.
Adverb clause of concession
Example: Although he is sick, he is working.
Solution: This is the adverb clause and is introduced by “although”.
Adverb clause of place
Example: Wherever she goes, she prefers to walk.
Solution: This is the adverb clause and is introduced by “wherever”.
Adverb clause of comparison
This clause compares two actions or states and are introduced by subordinating conjunctions such as “than” or “as”.
Example: I am taller than her.
She works harder than I do.
Adverb clause of purpose
These clauses express the purpose or intention of action and are introduced by subordinating conjunctions such as “that”, “so that”, “in order that”.
Example: I resigned from my job so that I can work hard on my blog.
She bought a new car in order that she could travel comfortably.
Adverb clause of result
These clauses express the result or consequence of an action and are introduced by subordinating conjunctions such as “so…that”, “such…that.”
Example: It was raining so hard that the doors and window shattered.
The alarm was so loud that we closed our ears.
Adverb clause of manner
These clauses express the manner or way in which an action is performed and are introduced by subordinating conjunctions such as “as”, “as if”, “as though.”
Example: She fell as though she didn’t know to walk.
She dressed as if she were an angel.
Spot the Adverb, Make your Sentence Superb!
1. Look for the dependent clause:
Adverb clauses are always dependent clauses meaning they cannot stand alone as complete sentences. They are usually introduced by a subordinating conjunction, which marks them as dependent clauses.
2. Identify the subordinating conjunction:
Adverb clauses are introduced by subordinating conjunctions such as “where”, “when”, “since”, “although”, “because”, “if”, “unless”, “until”, “while.” These words will help you identify adverb clauses in a sentence.
3. Check the meaning of the adverb clause:
Adverb clause provides information about time, place, reason, condition, manner or contrast. Look at the context of the sentence to determine what type of information the adverb clause is providing.
4. Determine what the adverb clause modifies.
Adverb clause modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs in the independent clause. Look for the word or phrase that the adverb clause is modifying.
5. Put the sentences back together.
After identifying the adverb clause, try putting the sentence back together without the adverb clause to see if it makes sense. This can help you confirm that you have identified the adverb clause correctly.
By following these tips, you should be able to identify the adverb clauses in a sentence with great ease and accuracy.
Worksheet 1
Identify adverb clauses in sentences.
1. Wherever I go, you follow. (place)
2. I visited the city where my parents grew up. (place)
3. If you need help, just let me know. (condition)
4. He ran quickly so he could catch the bus. (manner)
5. She loves knitting, whereas her sister prefers sewing. (contrast)
Worksheet 2
Determine the type of adverb clause.
1. After I finish my work. I’ll go to the gym.
2. Unless you study hard, you won’t pass the test.
3. She speaks Italian as if she were a native speaker.
4. Although he was tired, he stayed late to finish his job.
5. Since its raining, we’ll stay inside.
6. We exercise daily so that we can stay healthy.
7. He is more outgoing than his brother, but less patient.
ANSWERS for worksheet 2.
1. time
2. condition
3. manner
4. Contrast
5. reason or cause
6. purpose
7. comparison
