ADVERBIAL CLAUSES

Exercise 1

In the following sentence, identify the adverbial clause and its semantic type. Then rewrite each
sentence converting the finite adverbial clauses into non-finite ones.

e.g. After you have arrived at such an altitude it is best to rest for two hours.

After you have arrived at such an altitude - adverbial of time

After having arrived at such as altitude it is best to rest for two hours.

1. He began tinting his hair so that he could conceal the signs of advancing age.
2. The more you sell, the greater your commission will grow.
3. When they first heard him sing, they were quite impressed.
4. She moved forward blindly, almost like a woman who was walking in her sleep.
5. Do visit the castle, if it’s possible for you to do so.
6. Although they had excluded him from the team, he still attended all matches.
7. The twins were often mistaken for each other because they were so alike.
8. Since he lost his money, he has been difficult to live with.

Exercise 2

Identify the adverbial clauses and their function and form (finite, non-finite, or verbless):

e.g. Eternity is not something that begins after you are dead – after you are dead – adverbial of
time, finite

1. Several excuses are always less convincing than one.

2. When he was my age he was already famous.
3. An old man looks permanent as if he had been born an old man.
4. The more you are in the right, the more natural that everyone else thinks like you.
 5. Few people can be happy unless they hate some other person.
6. When writing a novel a writer should create living people.
7. To eat well in England you should have breakfast three times a day.

Exercise 3

Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the
word given. Do not change the word given. Use between three and eight words including the
word given

e.g. So popular has the show been that it isn’t going to close after all.

The show ………… going to close after all. POPULARITY

The show HAD ENJOYED SUCH POPULARITY THAT IT ISN”T going to close after all.

1. We were so irritated that we simply walked out ANNOYANCE

Such a feeling of annoyance make me to go out.
2. I don’t want anyone to disturb me when I’m working so I switch off my mobile.
DISTRACTED
So as I am distracted by everything at work, I switch off my mobile.
3. They designed the stadium to make hooliganism impossible. SUCH
The stadium was designed to make different things impossible such out hooliganism.
4. Darcy didn’t want to upset her so he left early. FEAR
Darcy left early because she had a fear that she make her unhappy.

Exercise 4
Complete these sentences by filling the haps with a suitable word of phrase:
e.g. Talented as she ……. any decent parts
Talented as she is, she is never offered any decent parts.

1. Delicious is it, I couldn’t manage another mouthful.

 2. Despite…. much of an education, he’s exceptionally intelligent.
3. However no matter how early I go to the bed, I feel tired in the morning.
4. Much I want to, I’m afraid I can’t help
5. No matter how hard we tried, we couldn’t get the wardrobe upstairs.
6. Even the age that she is well into her eighties, my mother is remarkably active.

Exercise 5

Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the
word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between three and eight words,
including the word given.

e.g. The elephant is so strong that it’s regularly needed for heavy work. DEMAND

e.g. Such is the elephant’s strength that it’s in regular demand for heavy work

1. Let’s read through our first meeting’s minutes before we start forgetting our state d aims.
SIGHT
Lest we……read though the minutes of our first meeting
2. Bill had a very strong personality and we were constantly frightened of him. FEAR

So strong was Bill that I have a fear of him.

3. The programme is designed in the hope that it will appeal to people of all ages.
INTEREST
We’ve designed the programme in such a way to arouse interest to people of all ages.
4. I put up this sign because I didn’t want anyone to disturb me. AS
I put us this sign better as so as not to bother us anyone.
5. If the purpose of this button is not to enlarge the picture, what is it? BIGGER
If this button is to make the picture bigger this is it for.
6. I’ll call you Phil and you Philip, so that we don’t get totally confused. AVOID
So as established to avoid misunderstanding I’ll call you Phil and you Philip.
Sources:
Broughton. G. 1990. Penguin English Grammar. London:Penguin.
Side. R. Wellma, G.2002. Grammar and Vocabulary for Cambridge Advanced and
Proficiency. Harlow: Longman