Support material

Learning activity 1

Presentation

An adverbial clause is a group of words in a sentence that adds extra information

to the meaning of the sentence or describes the way something was done. It
describes how, why, where and when something is or was developed. Read the
text below which contains many adverbial clauses. And Adverbial clause always
begins with a subordinating conjunction. It means these clauses dependent upon a
main clause. They need a main clause to make sense.

I didn’t start playing baseball until I was twelve

until shows when he started

playing baseball. It is a
subordinating conjunction to
describe time.

In the event that I finish early, I will go home to watch the match.

In the event that shows a condition to watch the game. In this

case the condition is to finish early. In the event that It is a
subordinating conjunction to express condition.

He didn’t go the training even though they are preparing for the final

even though shows the contradiction between the fact he

did not go to the training and the fact that they are
preparing for the final. It is logical to train for the final, but
he is contradicting that logic. Even though shows this.
The words until, in case and even though, are subordinating conjunctions. They
express the relationship between the two clauses in the sentence. We have
different categories of subordinating conjunctions such as those which give
information about time, those that show opposition or condition, those that show
distance, frequency or manner, those that show the reason for something to be
done or those that show the result of an action. The clause beginning with these
subordinating conjunctions are called adverbial clauses

Look at the following table:

Subordinating conjunctions
Time Contrast Condition
They describe a
They describe when contrast between the
They dictate a
something happens. ideas in each clause.
condition for the
Function These are often The opposition
main clause to
related to putting sometimes expresses
happen.
events in sequence. a contradiction to
logic.
 Before  Although  If
 After  Even though  Even if
 Until / ‘til  Though  Whether or not
 As soon as  Whereas  Unless
 Since  While  In case (that)
 While / as  In the event
 Since (that)
Example
 By the time  Only if
s
Whenever
 Any time
 The first / the
second, the third
(etc.) + time
 Next / last time
 Every time

Examples:

 The game finished before I arrived home.

 After she left the hospital, her injury improved a lot and she could play again.
 As soon as the new coach took the team, things started to improve.
 By the time she went to India, she had already retired from competition.
 I go to see them whenever they play.
 I will always support Roger Federer, even though he doesn’t always win.
 While Ken is an excellent goal keeper, Leonel is an exceptional forward.
 I will always love my team even if they don’t win the shampionship.
 She can play on the team only if she passes the medical exam.

Punctuation: Use a comma to separate the two clauses if the

adverbial clause comes first. Do not use comma if the adverbial
clause comes at the end:

 Even if we are not together, I will always love you. (Comma)

 I will always love you even if we are not together. (No comma)

Fuente: SENA

Practice

A. Read the text about the importance of practicing a sport. Fill in the blanks with
the conjunctions from the box below.

when unless If in case

before Although while

Succeeding at a sport

Fuente: SENA
Practicing a sport regularly is a healthy habit that positively affects your brain and
body. Benefits such as better mood, more energy and good physical condition
are achieved through exercise. (1)___________ nowadays it is easier to play a
sport, choosing which sport to do can be hard, especially if you have never
played one before. The number of sports out there that you can play is
overwhelming.

(2)__________ you choose a sport you like and feel motivated to practice, the
chances it will become a habit are higher. Here are some tips that will help you
succeed when practicing a sport:

Try as many options as possible. Go out and try different kinds of activities
including individual and team sports (3) __________ making up your mind. This
will give you the chance to narrow down your options to the sports you feel most
comfortable with.

The majority of workout programs will suggest you check with a professional
before starting. It is important to take into account your age, physical condition
and health record before choosing. Consult with a doctor if necessary before
starting because some sports are more demanding than others. Also, the level of
difficulty you plan to attain depends on your body and physical condition.
Remember to set targets that are realistic for you and don’t over train (4)
__________ you are a professional athlete.

Make it part of your timetable: Try to dedicate a specific time of the day to
practice your sport. (5) __________ you plan your exercise time and make it an
important priority within your daily activities, it becomes a habit. Soon, practicing
a sport will become as important for you as eating or sleeping.

Listen to music (6) __________ you exercise: People who listen to the music
they like feel more motivated and enthusiastic than people who don’t. It also
helps you concentrate and achieve better results. Some people quit exercising
because they find it boring. However, the chances to continue practicing a sport
are higher when you listen to music during your exercise routines. (7)
__________ you can’t attend a sport class, try to find a friend who shares the
same interest and go to practice with him or her.

Register for a class or join an exercising group: Socializing with people who
practice the same sport is a good way to motivate you. When we feel we are part
of a group or a community we thus tend to take our endeavor more seriously.
Having a set time for this group activity adds discipline to your routine as you
have to attend a regular schedule. Also, when you practice in group you can’t
stop halfway through and sit on the couch like when you are on your won.
 Whatever sport you choose to practice try to enjoy and make it part of your life.
Soon you will start to see the benefits.

B. Read the text again. Choose True (T) or False (F):

True False
1. Your age is very important when choosing a sport.
2. Listening to music while exercising can be dangerous.
3. Setting objectives that are achievable helps you succeed
when practicing a sport.
4. The more you exercise, the worse your mood becomes.
5. Some people stop exercising because they find it
uninteresting.
6. Exercising with a friend or in a sport class helps you feel
more motivated.

C. Complete the following sentences with the correct option.

1. Although it is not compulsory, try using comfortable shoes _________ you

practice any sport.

a. when
b. whereas
c. after

2. __________ he doesn’t practice a sport regularly, he has an excellent physical

condition.

a. In case
b. If
c. Though

3. While I lived near the beach, I would never quit my morning bicycle ride,
__________ it rained.

a. next time
b. since
c. even if
4. No wonder why he is in great shape if he started going to the gym
__________ he finished school.
 a. whether or not
b. by the time
c. although

5. I love exercising and weight lifting. I am the type of guy who stays at the gym
__________they close it.

a. as soon as
b. since
c. until

6. Whether you are accustomed to physical activity or not, always drink plenty
of water __________ you exercise.

a. unless
b. although
c. while

7. __________ you have a physical disability, you can practice any sport you
like.

a. even if
b. whether or not
c. unless

D. Describe the following pictures using the conjunction given. One example is
done for you.

1. (As soon as)

The only think he dislikes about exercising

is that he always starts to sweat as soon as
he gets on the exercise bike.
1. (Although)
___________________________________
___________________________________

2. (Whenever)
___________________________________
___________________________________

3. (When)
___________________________________
___________________________________

4. (After)
___________________________________
___________________________________

5. (Only if)
___________________________________
___________________________________
 6. (Unless)
___________________________________
___________________________________

Fuente de imágenes: SENA

E. Organize the sentences in the correct order.

1. Gym / went / to / the / he / he / finished / his / homework / when

He went to the gym when he finished his homework

2. always / exercising / eat / a / I / before / banana

_____________________________________________________________

3. the / wins / John / injured / game / , / unless / he / is / always

_____________________________________________________________

4. players / play / all / only / will / we / the / if / arrive / time / on / to / the / court
_____________________________________________________________

5. go / case / you / forget / to / in / gym / , / drink / don’t / the / to / water

_____________________________________________________________

6. I / bicycle / buy / that / paid / will / I / get / when

_____________________________________________________________

7. played / until / injured / the / he / although / end / was / he

_____________________________________________________________

7. the / they / even / game / played / well / though / they / really / lost
_____________________________________________________________
Production
A. Write a story about Tom based on the following pictures. Use adverbial clauses.

Monday 7 a.m. Monday 11 a.m.

Fuente de imágenes: SENA

It was a boring Monday. I was getting ready for my first class when somebody
knocked on the classroom door. It was…
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

B. Write 5 sentences describing your exercising habits. Use adverbial clauses.

 Fuente: SENA

1. _____________________________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________________________

3. _____________________________________________________________

4. _____________________________________________________________

5. _____________________________________________________________

Document control

Name Position Dependence Date

Theme expert Dirección de

Asesor English formación
Juan Carlos December
Author Dot Works - profesional.
Solano 2014
Programa de Dirección
bilingüismo General

Centro
Paola Andrea Copy editor -
Agroindustrial September
Adaptation Bobadilla Línea de
Regional 2015
Gutiérrez producción
Quindío