ADVERB CLAUSE

 Function: To modify Sentence

 Connectors:
Because Until When (ever) (Just) As
Since Unless Where (ever) As if
Though Before While As Though + SUBJECT +VERB
Although After Meanwhile So
Even though Once Whereas So That
If whether … or yet

Rules:
 Each connector connects two sentences
 Pattern:

Connector S V , S V If it rains, the streets get wet

S V Connector, S V The streets get wet, if it rains

Examples:
 Since the bank closes in less than in hour, the deposits need to be tallied
immediately.
 The citizens are becoming more and more incensed about traffic accidents
whenever the accidents occur at that intersection.
 The building was quite vulnerable to damage until the storm windows are installed.
 Once the dress label for the package is typed, it can be sent to the mail room.

SAMPLE FROM TOEFL

1. When ___________, the elections of the outer rings are exchanged

a. joining of two atoms c. two atom joint
b. two atoms join d. two of atom joining
2. Only a few sounds produced by insects are heard by humans ________ most of the sounds are
pitched either too high or too low.
a. In spite of c. as a result of
b. Because d. instead of
3. As a country develops from an agricultural to an industrial economy, the attitudes, values,
structures, and functions of the family _______.

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 a. The change c. change
b. Which change d. changing
4. Learning is considered adaptive, since _______ itself as changes in individual behavior as a result of
experience.
a. That which manifests c. by manifesting
b. Its manifestation of d. it manifests

5. Although the mole has no external ears, but its sense of hearing is acute.
A B C D

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Notes: Some prepositions have similar meaning to Adverb Clause connectors, however, they have
different patterns.

 Because + S + V
Because of + Noun or Noun Phrase

Because of is a preposition, it is generally followed by a verb+ing or a noun.

Because is a conjunction, it is followed by a subject and a verb.

Examples:
Because Maria was feeling sick, she didn't go to the supermarket.
In this example, we have:
'Maria' the subject,
'was feeling' the verb.

Because of her sickness, Maria didn't go to the supermarket.

In this example, we have:
'her sickness' a noun.

 Although
Though + S +V
Even though

Although is used in front of a subject and a verb:

Examples:
We had a great time although it rained.
Although he studied very hard, he still didn’t pass the exam.

Despite + Noun / Noun Phrase

In spite of
In spite of and despite are placed in front of a noun or pronoun

Examples:

We had a great time in spite of the rain.

We had a great time despite the rain.
Despite studying very hard, he still didn’t pass the exam.
‘studying’ is the noun form of the verb ‘study’

 When +S+V
While
Examples:
I like to visit gardens, when I am on a holiday.
He was sleeping while I was studying.

During + Noun or Noun Phrase

During school days, my cousins often come to stay with us at our home.
Students are not allowed to use cell phones during class.

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SAMPLES FROM TOEFL

1. There are natural traces of aluminum in nearly all foods because of the element is present in soils
A B
where edible plants are grown.
C D

2. Despite there are more than 4.200 miles of rivers in Massachusetts, the Connecticut River is the
A B C
state’s only major navigable waterways.
D

3. During a person inhales, the muscles of diaphragm contract, helping to pull air into the lungs.
A B C D

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