EXERCISES ON ADVERBIAL CLAUSES

Exercise 1: Underline the most suitable option in each sentence.

1. When the inquiry completed/will complete/has completed its investigation it will publish a report.
2. You can park as though/what/wherever you like in this street.
3. During the time/Immediately/While he spent in intensive care, he was not allowed visitors.
4. The tests differ as if/like/in the way they measure potential performance and aptitude.
5. We’ve been living in temporary accommodation while/since/when we moved here in September.
6. We can find you a ticket for just as/as soon as/anywhere you want to go.
7. The technicians replaced the safety mechanism as/whenever/while they had been instructed.
8. Well let you know anywhere/when exactly/just as you need to come for your interview.
9. Give me a call as soon as you arrive/arrived/will arrive at the airport.
10. A bell will ring three times five minutes before/until/as soon as the library closes.
Exercise 2: Underline the most suitable option in each sentence.
1. Whereas/As/Much as finance is no longer available, this project has been postponed.
2. It is so/such a/so that powerful engine that it requires a great deal of fuel.
3. You should wear warm clothing in case/although/since the weather changes for the worse.
4. Despite she took/In spite of taking/In spite she took the medication, she still developed malaria.
5. Whereas/Such as/Seeing as the concert tickets are free, we might as well go along.
6. The organism grew such rapidly/so much rapidly/so rapidly that it doubled in size within two days.
7. Although/Despite/Even supplies of gas are suspended, there is enough in the country to last the winter.
8. Although/In order that/Since your application for funding can be considered, please complete and return this
form.
9. There was such/so little/so hope of finding any more survivors that the search was abandoned.
10. The year ahead will be difficult for wind power, despite/whereas/as much as sales of solar energy
equipment should do well.
Exercise 3: Complete the text by writing a word or phrase from the box in each space. Use each word or
phrase once only.
When although as as if as soon as as though by the time even though in
case such since the moment whenever while
How many Facebook friends should you have?
(l) When everyone you know starts using Facebook, it’s time to wonder how many friends you should have.
Facebook friends, that is (2) _______________
whenever someone boasts to me that they have 500 or 1000 friends, I
become sceptical. (3) _______________
Although it’s good to have lots of friends, can these electronic contacts really
be worthy of the name? According to a recent book by Robin Dunbar, a professor of evolutionary
anthropology, (4) _______________
as soon as you reach the number 150, you’ve arrived at the optimum number of
people the brain can deal with. The professor argues his case at some length, (5) _______________
as if nobody
could possibly deal with more than that number of people. Well, it is (6) _______________
such an appealing idea
that a lot of people have jumped on the bandwagon and declared that Dunbar’s number, 150, is about the
The moment
maximum number of Facebook friends anyone should have. (7) _______________ I heard about this idea, I
started asking people how many Facebook friends they had. (8) _______________
In case you’re wondering, no, I’m
not on Facebook myself, so I needed to ask around. (9) _______________
Since I had to use normal conversational
means, this took me some time. (10) _______________
As it became rather a slow process, I considered signing
up to Facebook, just so that I could ask people about this. Anyway, (11) _______________
by the time I’d spoken to a few
people about this, I began to think that 150 simply wasn’t enough. For a start, (12) _______________ even though
Facebook contacts are called ‘friends’, a lot of them turned out to be business contacts, or companies, or people
the user had been at primary school with years ago. (13) _______________
While these contacts are not close friends,
people who are contacted often, it’s useful to keep in touch with them. So if you have thousands of Facebook
friends, it might sound (14) _______________
as though you have an over-active social life, but it depends on how often
you contact them and why. It seems that you can never have enough friends, after all.
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Exercise 4: Complete the sentences with as, when or while. Give all correct or likely alternatives.
1. You wouldn’t think it now, but _____________ I was very young I used to have curly, brown hair.
2. Did you see her hands shaking _____________ she spoke? She must have been so nervous.
3. It’s more and more important for business people to speak foreign languages _____________ business
becomes increasingly international.
4. How old were you _____________ you got married?
5. _____________ the structure of the novel might at first appear chaotic, in fact it is very carefully organised.
6. I was so tired last night, I must have gone to sleep _____________ my head hit the pillow.
7. _____________ my children get older, I find they get even fussier about the food they eat.
8. She always brings a bunch of flowers _____________ she comes to visit.
9. _____________ I sat down to take my maths exam, I realised I’d forgotten to bring my calculator with me.
10. Put the whole tomatoes into a saucepan of boiling water, switch off the heat, and drain after a few minutes
_____________ they are cool enough to handle, peel them carefully.
11. _____________ the level of pesticides in the potatoes is well below the legal limit, the public have been
advised to avoid eating them for the time being.
Exercise 5: Choose the correct or more likely options in these texts
A
Hello Alison
I couldn't contact you this (1) morning because / morning. Because we had a power cut here. Sorry.
Thanks for the invitation to lunch tomorrow. I'm not sure I'll be able to make it, (2) though / although. (3) In
spite of that / In spite of the fact that we've got extra staff at work, we're struggling to meet the deadline to
finish writing the software. This means I've got a huge amount of work to do (4) before I go / before I will go
on holiday at the end of the week. I feel really guilty (5) seeing / seeing that this is the second time this year
I've had to turn down your invitation.
Hope to see you in the near future.
Regards,
Ros
B
‘I’m sorry I’m not here to take your call. Please leave a message after the tone and I’ll get back to you as soon
as I can.’
‘Hello, Robert, it’s Martha. I’m afraid I have to cancel our meeting tomorrow. My father’s just phoned to say
my mother’s been taken ill. (1) Because of/ Because it sounds quite serious, (2) I’ll have to / so I’ll have to take
time off to go and see her.
I may be away for a few days, but I’ll have my laptop with me (3) while / whilst I’m there (4) so as I can / so
that I can do some work. When (5) you will get / you get the chance, give me a ring and we’ll sort out another
time to meet. Bye for now.’
C
Inasmuch as / Inasmuch that advertising is their major source of revenue, the mass media seek to appeal to as
large an audience (with as much purchasing power) as possible. However, in recent years popular newspapers
have had declining advertising income (2) despite the fact that / despite that sales have increased. They need,
therefore, to find alternative sources of income (3) not to / in order not to fail as profit-making enterprises. One
possibility is to offer competitions, which readers pay to enter. (4) Whereas / Although a number of newspapers
have done this, most have now withdrawn this activity. It has been found that relatively small amounts of
revenue are raised overall (5) as / for the administrative costs of running a competition are substantial.
Exercise 6: Choose the correct option to complete the following blank
OUT - OF - BODY EXPERIENCES
(1)…..……most scientists dismiss tales of out - of - body experiences on the operating table as dreams
and delusions, there are some cases which seem to defy rational explanation. Take Margaret Frobisher. In 2003,
she was undergoing a routine operation under general anesthetic at Sandown Hospital in Kent. There were
serious complications, (2)………., and her heart stopped beating. Try (3)………..they might, the surgeon and
anesthetist were unable to resuscitate her. Finally, after eight minutes, they succeeded. (4) ………..having been
clinically dead, Margaret suffered no brain damage and no adverse side effects. The story doesn’t stop there,
(5)………. . When the anesthetist went to visit her in her hospital bed, Margaret Frobisher recounted an
amazing story. She said she vividly remembered floating above the operating table. And (6)………..her never
having been conscious in that room at any time, she described the room and the resuscitation attempt in great

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detail. She said that (7)…….three of the walls were bright white, one was dark grey. This was true. She also
said that, on the top of a cabinet in a corner of the operating theater, there was an old book. (8)………..the
anesthetist didn’t - and couldn’t - believe her, she checked. There, just as Margaret Frobisher had described it,
was the book. (9)……….as they tried, no one at the hospital could explain how Margaret could have known
about the book. Even (10)……one does not believe in a “soul” or in life after death, it is difficult to explain
what happened in that operating theater when Margaret Frobisher’s heat stopped beating.
1. A. Despite B. While C. However D. In spite
2. A. Whereas B. Although C. However D. Despite
3. A. As B. For C. With D. So
4. A. However B. Whereas C. Although D. Though
5. A. Even if B. Even though C. Although D. Though
6. A. In spite of B. Although C. However D. While
7. A. Nevertheless B. Whereas C. In spite of D. However
8. A. In spite B. However C. Even though D. Despite
9. A. Most B. More C. Much D. Many
10. A. So B. If C. Though D. That
Exercise 7: Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the
words given
1. Despite having looked for it everywhere, Donald never found his contact lens. (he)
 Even………………………………………………………………………………...
though he had looked for it everywhere, Donald never found his contact lens.

2. The stadium won’t be ready for the Olympics whether they start building tomorrow or not. (even)
 The stadium won’t be ready for the Olympics……………………………………...
even if they start building tomorrow.
3. The electricians are on strike but the BBC is still broadcasting. (spite)
 The BBC is still broadcasting……………………………………………………….
in spite of the fact that the electricians are on strike.
4. Although none gave us an invitation, we were still able to get into the club. (given)
 We were still able to get into the club in…………………………..…an
spite of not being given invitation.
5. Dom could not finish the crossword despite really trying hard. (might)
 Try………………………………………………………………………………….
as he might, Dom could not finish the crossword.
6. Although Sarah shouted loudly, she wasn’t able to get the audience to pay attention
loudly Sarah might shout, she wasn't able to get the audience to pay attention.
(might)However……………………………………………………………………...
7. I couldn’t persuade Tim in spite of my begging him to come with us. (as)
 Much………………………………………………………………………………...
as I begged Tm to come with us, I couldn't persuade him.
8. Despite our being late, we didn’t think for a second we wouldn’t make it on time
(though) Late…………………………………………………………………………
though we were, we didn't think for a second we wouldn't make it on time
Exercise 8: Choose the correct option to fill in the blank
1. More than 80 people came to the exhibition, many of…………….children had pictures on the walls.
A. who B. whom C. whose D. which
2. The man…………………to safety was in his forties.
A. who was lifting B. lifting C. lifted D. having been lifted
3. Who was the receptionist ……………..the phone at the time?
A. answering B. was answering C. having answered D. to answer
4. ……………….a scholarship, I entered the frightening and unknown territory of private education.
A. To award B. To be awarded C. Having awarded D. Having been awarded
5. …………………half a chance, I’d be there in a flash!
A. Giving B. Given C. Being given D. To be given
6. ……………quickly we ran, we just couldn’t catch up with the van.
A. Although B. Even C. Much D. However
Exercise 9: Fill in the blank with one suitable word
Most of us will suffer from a “fracture”, (1) ……………..is which the medical term for a broken bone, at some
point in our lives. A patient (2)…………arm,
whose let’s say, is suspected of being broken will first be given an X-
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ray. (3)……………determined
Having the extent of the fracture, the orthopedic surgeon will decide on the most
effective treatment. For a fracture (4)……………..manipulation
where is required, (5)………..may
it involve the patient
being given a general anesthetic while the bone is essentially re-broken. Patients (6)………………..have more
who
serious fractures may require “fracture fixation”, (7)……………..which in pins and rods are connected to the
bone to strengthen it. (8)…………………., for simple fractures, a cast - often (9)………….out
However made of plaster of
Paris or fiberglass - is all that is required.
(10)……………..a
Although broken upper leg can take anything up to twelve weeks to heal, a broken toe can heal in just
three weeks.
Their plaster cast (11) ………….off,
taken the patient will almost certainly require physiotherapy to exercise a limb
(12)………….has
which been in active for several weeks.
(13)………….advances
Despite in medical technology, (14)…………get
to a trail elderly person’s fracture to heal is still
remarkably difficult. Even (15)…………the if fracture has been treated in the right way, it is quite possible that
the bone will never fully heal.
Exercise 10: Fill in the blank with the following words
Paragraph 1: Until/ while/ before/ as/ when/ as soon as/ by the time/ as long as
(1)…………….King
By the time Henry VIII of England was 18 years old, he was already the ruler of his country.
He is probably remembered by so many people because he married six times (2)……………..he when was King. His
first wife, Catherine of Aragon, gave him a daughter but no sons to take the throne after him. It seemed that
(3)………..she
as long as was his wife, he would not have a son. Henry wanted to marry Anne Boleyn, but
(4)…………..he could marry her he had to divorce Catherine. Anne gave Henry another daughter but no sons,
before

and for this reason he had her beheaded. (5)…………..she was dead and he found a new wife. She did have a
son but she died just (6)……………….theas baby was born. Henry remained King (7)………..he until died in 1547.
(8)……………he
when died his only son, Edward, came to the throne, but (9)………he when was 16, he died too.
Paragraph 2: after/ as soon as/ since/ before/ by the time/ while/ until/ whenever
“So, Mrs. Trump, welcome to your first driving lesson. I’d like to say a few words (1)…………we before

begin. The most important thing to remember is that the pedal in the middle is the brake - (2)…………….you whenever
need to stop, you press it. Never start the engine (3)…………you
as soon as get in the car, because it might be in gear and
never drive off (4)…………..you make sure the road is clear. You must continually check your mirror
until
while
(5)…………….you are driving, because it is important to know what is behind you. I will only take you out on
the road (6)…………..we have practiced the basics in the car park for a couple of lessons. Don’t worry Mrs.
after
Trump, I have been teaching people how to drive (7)………….1982, since so you are in good hands. I assure you
that (8)………………you have finished this course, you will have become a safe and confident driver.”
by the time

Exercise 11: Find the mistakes and correct the following sentences
1. We waited for you by it got dark. until
2. When the Queen will arrive, we must all stand up. arrives
3. As soon as I’ll get home, I’ll have something to eat. I
4. They didn’t call by the time they had found the solution.
5. Can you phone me when you will be ready?
6. Every time I will go shopping, I spend too much money.
7. I’ll phone you if there will be a problem.
8. The children cleared the table by the time they had finished eating.
9. Until we went to bed, it was nearly morning.
10. I’ll call you immediately as I reach my hotel.
11. I’ll go round to Pam’s when I’ll have time.
12. I am not going out until this film will be over.
13. Give me your number in case I will want to call you.
14. He set his alarm clock for 8.00 so not to oversleep.
15. I have got such much work to do I don’t think I can finish it.
16. Mary was so upset that she can’t stop crying.
17. For she was so good - looking she became a model.
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18. Despite he was wearing a helmet, he was still badly injured.
19. Strict nevertheless he may appear, he is actually quite soft.
20. It was such a delicious food he asked for more.
21. Let’s wait by the time it stops snowing.
22. In spite of she didn’t feel like it, she went to the party.
23. He locked the door for fear someone broke into his house.
24. She worked hard with a view to get a promotion soon.
25. We arrived at the cinema early in case we would miss the start of the film.
26. We’ll show our tickets when the inspector will come round.
27. He was so exhausted he felt as if he hasn’t slept for weeks.
Exercise 12: Complete the sentences by inserting AS/ LIKE
1. You don’t look anything………..your mother.
2. ………we expected, the singer didn’t arrive on time.
3. ………your teacher, I advise you to read more in order to widen your vocabulary.
4. He dug a snow hole and waited for help, ………..he had been instructed to do.
5. Her father was a great sportsman, just ………..her grandfather.
6. Her father was a great sportsman, just ………..her grandfather used to be.
7. We don’t need the box, but we can use it……………..firewood.
8. She went to the party dressed up …………….Cleopatra.
9. Several state museums, ………….in other countries, are imposing admission charges.
10. ………you say, we shouldn’t argue about it.
11. She worked ……………a bilingual secretary for two years.
12. The local council, ……………..others in the area, is taking a strong line on parking offences.
13. …………….his colleagues, Yves has a postgraduate qualification.
14. The twentieth century produced a number of female political leaders…………..Indri Grade and Margaret
Thatcher.
15. …………..you, Collate experienced considerable difficulty in adapting to an alien environment.
16. Your English is very fluent. I wish I could speak ………..you.
17. Don’t take my advice if you don’t want to. You can do …………you like.
18. You waste too much time doing things……………sitting in cafes all day.
19. I wish I had a car …………yours.
20. You don’t need t change your clothes. You can go out ………you are.
21. My neighbor’s house is full of interesting things. It is ………….a museum.
22. I think I preferred this room …………..it was, before I decorated it.
23. When we asked Sue to help us, she agreed immediately, …………I knew she would.
24. Sharon has been working ………..a waitress for the last two months.
25. While we were on vacation, we spent most of our time doing active things………….sailing, water skiing,
and swimming.
26. You are different from the other people I know. I don’t know anyone………you.
27. We don’t need all the bedrooms in the house, so we use one of them……..a study.
28. …………….her father, Cathy has a good voice.
29. The news that Sue and Jim were getting married came ………..a complete surprise to me.
30. At the moment I have got a temporary job in a book store. It is OK ………….a temporary job, but I
wouldn’t like to do it permanently.

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