Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University

Faculty of Letters Dhar El Mehraz

Department of English Semester 3 Grammar
Teachers: A. Fassi Fihri S. Slaoui M. Imouri

Adverbial Clauses

Introduction
An adverbial clauses consists of a subject and a predicate and is introduced by a subordinate
conjunction. The choice of the subordinate conjunction depends on the meaning of the
adverbial clause i.e., whether it is place, cause or reason, result and so on . Like adverbs in
simple sentences, these clauses answer questions such as when, where, how, why….etc

I. Position of Adverbial Clauses

The position of the adverbial clause is usually initial or final but can occasionally be medial.
Initial: Since you cannot type this document, you can just make some copies. (a comma is
usually used after introductory adverbial clauses)
Middle: That honest employer, although he is poor and needy, refused to take bribes. (the
clause is used between two commas)
Final: Don’t give me back the book if you haven’t read it. (Usually no commas are needed)

II. Types of Adverbial Clause:

ADVERBIAL SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS

MEANING
Time When, while, whenever, before/after, as, as long
as, as soon as, once, since, till/until, by the time…
Place Where, wherever, everywhere, anywhere
Manner As, as if, as though, in the way that
Concession/contrast Although/though, even though, even if, no matter
how, while/when, whereas, whatever…
Cause/Reason Because, since, as, seeing that, now that, as long
as, owing to the fact that…
Condition If/unless, as long as, on condition that, providing
that….
Purpose So that, in order that, for the purpose that, in case,
for fear that…
Result So that, so …that, such ….that
Comparison As, as…as
Limiting In that, in so far as, in as much as

1. Time
When the meaning expressed ins an adverbial clause is that of time, a range of
subordinate conjunctions can be used to express this meaning and to introduce the
 adverbial clause of (time). These clauses broadly answer questions like when?,
since when? …. Examples of these are: when, since, before, after, until, as soon
as, as long as, by the time (that), now that, once…….

Examples:
1. He turned pale when he saw me.
2. Now that you mention it, I do remember.
3. I will stay as long as I can.
4. I have not seen him since he returned to the country.
5. It struck me as I was speaking.

Some time clauses conjunctions such as since and as long as, can have other
adverbial meanings.
2. Place
Place clauses answer the questions where and usually come after main clauses; however,
conjunctions like wherever and everywhere can begin a sentence, depending on the emphasis
we want to make e.g. Wherever the secret may be hidden, they are determined to uncover it

Where and wherever may serve to introduce an adverbial clause of place as in the following
examples.
6 we live where the road crosses the river.
7. You will find someone to help you wherever you go.
NB: Not all clauses introduced by where or when etc. are adverbial clauses (cf. Adj.
cls) .Consider the following examples:
8. I was out of town the day when it happened.
9. I still remembered the house where I was born.
3. Cause/Reason
These clauses roughly answer the question why/for what reason?. When reason or cause is
emphasized, the clause is used in final position while it appears at the beginning when the
cause/reason is known and not important. When the meaning expressed by the adverbial
clauses is that of ‘cause’, or reason’’ the following subordinate conjunctions may introduce
the adverbial clause: seeing that, because, since, as, now that, whereas, in as much as, as long
as, due to the fact that …etc: We just did not go out because it was raining
Examples:
10. As you are not ready, we must go on.
11. Since there is no help, let us try to bear it as much as we may.
12. Now that he has passed his examination, he can get his degree.

NB. The difference between a clause (of cause or reason) introduced by as and one beginning
with because is that in the former (which usually comes first) the emphasis is on the
subordinate clause. Since, which implies that the cause or reason is an undisputed fact, agrees
with as in this respect.

4. Condition
When the meaning expressed by an adverbial clause is that of ‘condition ‘, if , unless , on con
condition that , providing/provided that, in case………are usually the subordinate
conjunctions with which the clause begins.
Examples:
13. He was allowed to live in the house rent free on condition that he kept it in
repair.

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 14. We won’t have the picnic unless the weather is good.
15. In case it rains, the picnic will be postponed.
16. You will find me provided that you come early.
NB. Providing, provided (that) and on condition (that) express emphatic condition.

We usually speak about three types of condition:

Type 1: Talking/asking about something that is possible to realize

What will you do if you loose weight?
If+present + will
If I loose weight, + I will go abroad

Type 2: Talking about imagined situations/consequences in the present (referred to as present

contrary- to – fact condition)
If + past + would
If I were rich, I would make a trip around the world

Type 3: Talking about imagined situations/consequences in the past. (referred to as past

contrary-to-fact conditions)
If+ past perfect + would have
If I hadve known you were coming, I would have waited for you

5. Concession
These clauses are used to introduce elements of concession into a sentence. This is sometimes
viewed as the unexpected course of events. To express contrast or concessive meaning with
an adverbial clause, subordinate conjunctions like although, though, even though, even if, in
spite of / despite the fact, notwithstanding (the fact) that, no matter how………, are used to
introduce the clause.

Examples
17. Though I am poor, I am honest.
18. In spite of the fact that the prices went down recently, the company made a huge
profit.
Some conjunctions like however and whatever can introduce clauses of concession, in which
case some modals can be used:
However brilliant he is/may be, he could not pass the contest.
Whatever you think/may think, I am going ahead with my plans.

6. Contrast
While, where and whereas may, when introducing an adverbial clause, express adversative
meanings.

Examples:
19. Some people spend their time reading, while others watch television.
20. John is a spend thrift while his brother is a miser.
21. Where some people find pleasure, others suffer.

7. Purpose
These clauses answer the question what for? For what purpose?

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That, in order that, so that (and others…) may express purpose when they introduce an
adverbial clause.

Examples:

22. Stand there (so) that I may take a good look at you.
23. They climbed higher in order that they might get a better view.
24. He took a taxi so as not to miss the meeting. (this is an infinitive phrase) may be
we can use so that he won’t miss, or for fear he misses)
When the negative form of the verb is used in the adverbial clause, other conjunctions such as
“for fear”, “lest”, “in case” are used:
We must take a taxi for fear/lest we miss the train.
Take an umbrella in case it rains.
We avoided mentioning the subject for fear/lest they get offended/

8. Result
These clauses describe consequences. They can be introduced by the conjunction “so that”,
used for purpose, but the differencet is that we can replace it with “in order that” in purpose
clauses, but not in result clauses. It is also preceded by a comma when result is meant.

Compare:
We arrived early so that we could/might/will get good seats (purpose)
We arrived early, so that we got good seats

Result is expressed by So + adj /adv+ that

or

Such (a) + noun (noun phrase) + that …….

Examples:
25. She is so pretty that she attracts a lot of attention.
26. It was such as hot day that I felt very thirsty.
27. He spoke so quietly that I could hardly make out what he was saying.

9. Manner
These clauses are sometimes used after linking verbs such as seem and look.
As if and as though (especially after look, seem, act), when introducing an adverbial clause,
serve to express manner.
Examples:

28. He orders me about as if I were his wife.

29. He looks as though he needs (needed) more sleep.
30. He is behaving in the same way his father used to.

III. Abridgement of Adverbial Clauses:

An adverbial clause may be abridged when the meaning expressed by it is one of the
following:
1. Time Clauses:

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 1. When Young, I looked at things differently.
2. She always uses such proverbs whenever possible.
3. Experience, when clearly bought, is seldom thrown away.

2. Place Clauses:

4. Make any change where needed.

5. Insert a comma or semi colon wherever possible.

3. Cause Clauses:

6. Because a beginner, John couldn’t drive during traffic hours.

7. It is an unbearable insult, since intentional.

4.Conditional Clauses:

8. Were I in your position, I would not talk to Jane. (present contrary to fact
condition).
9. Had I known you were coming, I would have waited for you at the station.
(past contrary to fact condition)
10. Your excuse won’t be accepted unless written.

5. Concession Clauses:

11. Even though a widow, she brought up her children comfortablye.

12. Although only a boy, he does a man’s work.
13. Though in a hurry, he stayed to help the boy.

6.Comparison Clauses: (very common)

14. She works as hard as her sister.

15. He is taller than his father.

7. Manner clauses:

16. He left the room as though angry.

17. He dressed as (if) a woman.
18. The clouds disappeared as if by magic.