Adverb clauses

Introduction

An adverb may be a single word such as quickly, here or yesterday (see the page
Adverbs), or a phrase such as the day before yesterday or to see my mother (see
the page Adverb Phrases). However, adverbs can also be clauses, containing a
subject and a full verb. This page will explain the basic types of adverb clauses
(sometimes called "adverbial clauses") and how to recognize them.

Adverbs, adverb phrases, and adverb clauses

Look at these sentences:

I saw the movie yesterday.

I saw the movie on Friday.

I saw the movie before I left for Calgary.

In the first sentence, "yesterday" is a one-word adverb, "on Friday" is an adverb

phrase, and "before I left for Calgary" is a adverb clause. All of them answer the
question "When?", but the adverb clause has a subject ("I") and a full verb
("left"). It is introduced by "before", so it is a dependent clause. This means that
it cannot stand alone: "Before I left for Calgary" would not be a full sentence. It
needs a main clause ("I saw the movie"). An adverb clause, then, is a dependent
clause that does the same job as an adverb or an adverb phrase.

Types of adverb clause

There are many types of adverb clauses. Here are some examples of the most
common types:

Type Question answered Example

 Wherever there are computers,
Place Where?
there is Microsoft software.

After the fruit is harvested, it is

Time( below) When?
sold at the market.

Why? (What caused

Cause I didn't call her because I'm shy.
this?)

Why? (What was the She took a computer course so

Purpose
reason for doing this?) that she could get a better job.

Although Jay has a Master's

Concession
Why is this unexpected? degree, he works as a store
(below)
clerk.

If you save your money, you will

Condition Under what conditions?
be able to go to college.

As you can see from the examples above, most adverb clauses can be recognized
because they are introduced by a particular word or phrase (such as "when", "so
that", etc.). These words and phrases are called subordinating conjunctions, and
there are many of them, including the2e:

Subordination conjunctions

after, before, until, while, because,

since, as, so that, in order that, if,
unless, whether, though, although,
even though, where

When you are sure you understand clearly, you can click on "First exercise" to
continue.
Source:

http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/410/grammar/advcls.htm

Adverb Clauses with Time

When

 He was talking on the phone when I arrived.

 When she called, he had already eaten lunch.
 I washed the dishes when my daughter fell asleep.
 We'll go to lunch when you come to visit.

'When' means 'at that moment, at that time, etc.'. Notice the different tenses used in
relationship to the clause beginning with when. It is important to remember that 'when'
takes either the simple past OR the present - the dependent clause changes tense in relation
to the 'when' clause.

Before

 We will finish before he arrives.

 She (had) left before I telephoned.

'Before' means 'before that moment'. It is important to remember that 'before' takes either
the simple past OR the present.

After

 We will finish after he comes.

 She ate after I (had) left.

'After' means 'after that moment'. It is important to remember that 'after' takes the
present for future events and the past OR past perfect for past events.

While, as

 She began cooking while I was finishing my homework.

 As I was finishing my homework, she began cooking.
'While' and 'as' mean 'during that time'. 'While' and 'as' are both usually used with the
past continuous because the meaning of 'during that time' which indicates an action in
progess.

By the time

 By the time he finished, I had cooked dinner.

 We will have finished our homework by the time they arrive.

'By the time' expresses the idea that one event has been completed before another. It is
important to notice the use of the past perfect for past events and future perfect for future
events in the main clause. This is because of the idea of something happening up to another
point in time.

Until, till

 We waited until he finished his homework.

 I'll wait till you finish.

'Until' and 'till' express 'up to that time'. We use either the simple present or simple past
with 'until' and 'till'. 'Till' is usually only used in spoken English.

Since

 I have played tennis since I was a young boy.

 They have worked here since 1987.

'Since' means 'from that time'. We use the present perfect (continuous) with 'since'. 'Since'
can also be used with a specific point in time.

As soon as

 He will let us know as soon as he decides (or as soon as he has decided).

 As soon as I hear from Tom, I will give you a telephone call.

'As soon as' means 'when something happens - immediately afterwards'. 'As soon as' is
very similar to 'when' it emphasizes that the event will occur immediately after the other.
We usually use the simple present for future events, although present perfect can also be
used.

Whenever, every time

 Whenever he comes, we go to have lunch at "Dick's".
 We take a hike every time he visits.

'Whenever' and 'every time' mean 'each time something happens'. We use the simple
present (or the simple past in the past) because 'whenever' and 'every time' express
habitual action.

The first, second, third, fourth etc., next, last time

 The first time I went to New York, I was intimidated by the city.
 I saw Jack the last time I went to San Francisco.
 The second time I played tennis, I began to have fun.

The first, second, third, fourth etc., next, last time means 'that specific time'. We can use
these forms to be more specific about which time of a number of times something
happened.

Adverb Clauses Showing Opposition

These type of clauses show an unexpected or non self-evident result based on the dependent
clause. Example: He bought the car even though it was expensive. Take a look at the chart
below to study the various usages of adverb clauses showing opposition.

Punctuation

When an adverb clause begins the sentence use a comma to separate the two clauses.
Example: Even though the it was expensive, he bought the car.. When the adverb clause
finishes the sentence there is no need for a comma.
Example: He bought the car even though it was expensive.

For more information about how to use these words click on the link for an explanation of
the usage.

Even though, though, although

 Even though it was expensive, he bought the car.

 Though he loves doughnuts, he has given them up for his diet.
 Although he course was difficult, he passed with the highest marks.
Notice how 'though, even though' or 'although' show a situation which is contrary to the
main clause to express opposition. Even though, though and although are all synonyms.

Whereas, while

 Whereas you have lots of time to do your homework, I have very little time indeed.
 Mary is rich, while I am poor.

'Whereas' and 'while' show clauses in direct opposition to each other. Notice that you
should always use a comma with 'whereas' and 'while'.

Using Adverb Clauses to Express Conditions

These type of clauses are often called "if clauses" in English grammar books and follow
conditional sentence patterns. Take a look at the chart below to study the various usage of
different time expressions.

Punctuation

When an adverb clause begins the sentence use a comma to separate the two clauses.
Example: If he comes, we will have some lunch.. When the adverb clause finishes the
sentence there is no need for a comma. Example: He would have invited me if he had known.

More information on the correct tense usage for the conditionals

If

 If we win, we'll go to Kelly's to celebrate!

 She would buy a house, if she had enough money.

'If' clauses express the conditions necessary for the result. If clauses are followed by
expected results based on the condition. More information on the correct tense usage for
the conditionals

Even if
 Even if she saves a lot, she won't be able to afford that house.

In contrast to sentences with 'if' sentences with 'even if' show a result that is unexpected
based on the condition in the 'even if' clause. Example: COMPARE: If she studies hard, she
will pass the exam AND Even if she studies hard, she won't pass the exam.

Whether or not

 They won't be able to come whether or not they have enough money.
 Whether they have money or not, they won't be able to come.

'Whether or not' expresses the idea that neither one condition or another matters; the
result will be the same. Notice the possibility of inversion (Whether they have money or
not) with 'whether or not'.

Unless

 Unless she hurries up, we won't arrive in time.

 We won't go unless he arrives soon.

'Unless' expresses the idea of 'if not' Example: Unless she hurries up, we won't arrive in
time. MEANS THE SAME AS: If she doesn't hurry up, we won't arrive in time. 'Unless' is
only used in the first conditional.

In case (that), in the event (that)

 In the case you need me, I'll be at Tom's.

 I'll be studying upstairs in the event he calls.

'In case' and 'in the event' usually mean that you don't expect something to happen, but if
it does... Both are used primarily for future events.

Only if

 We'll give you your bicycle only if you do well on your exams.
 Only if you do well on your exams will we give you your bicycle.

'Only if' means 'only in the case that something happens - and only if'. This form basically
means the same as 'if'. However, it does stress the condition for the result. Note that when
'only if' begins the sentence you need to invert the main clause
 Adverb Clauses with Expressions of Cause and Effect

Adverb Clauses of Cause and Effect

These type of clauses explain the reasons for what happens in the main clause. Example:
He bought a new home because he got a better job.. Take a look at the chart below to study
the various usages of different expressions of cause and effect. Note that all of these
expressions are synonyms of 'because'.

Punctuation

When an adverb clause begins the sentence use a comma to separate the two clauses.
Example: Because he had to work late, we had dinner after nine o'clock.. When the adverb
clause finishes the sentence there is no need for a comma. Example: We had dinner after
nine o'clock because he had to work late.

For more information about how to use these words click on the link for an explanation of
the usage.

Because

 They received a high mark on their exam because they had studied hard.
 I'm studying hard because I want to pass my exam.
 He works a lot of overtime because his rent is so expensive

Notice how because can be used with a variety of tenses based on the time relationship
between the two clauses.

Since

 Since he loves music so much, he decided to go to a conservatory.

 They had to leave early since their train left at 8.30.
'Since' means the same as because. 'Since' tends to be used in more informal spoken
English. Important note: "Since" when used as a conjunction is typically used to refer to a
period of time, while "because" implies a cause or reason.

As long as

 As long as you have the time, why don't you come for dinner?

'As long as' means the same as because. 'As long as' tends to be used in more informal
spoken English.

As

 As the test is difficult, you had better get some sleep.

'As' means the same as because. 'As' tends to be used in more formal, written English.

Inasamuch as

 Inasmuch as the students had succesfully completed their exams, their parents rewarded
their efforts by giving them a trip to Paris.

'Inasmuch as' means the same as because. 'Inasmuch as' is used in very formal, written
English.

Due to the fact that

 We will be staying for an extra week due to the fact that we haven not yet finished.

'Due to the fact that' means the same as because. 'Due to the fact that' is generally used in
very formal, written English.

Adjective Clauses
Introduction
 Here is a brief review of adjective clauses and relative pronouns.
An adjective clause is used to describe a noun:
The car, which was red, belonged to Young-Hee.

A relative pronoun is usually used to introduce an adjective clause:

Young-Hee, who is a Korean student, lives in Victoria.

The main relative pronouns are:

Who: used for humans in subject position::
Hans, who is an architect, lives in Berlin.

Whom: used for humans in object position::

Marike, whom Hans knows well, is an interior decorator.

Which: used for things and animals in subject or object position::

Marike has a dog which follows her everywhere.

That: used for humans, animals and things, in subject or object position
(but see below)::
Marike is decorating a house that Hans designed.

There are two main kinds of adjective clause:

Non-defining clauses: give extra information about the noun, but they are
not essential:
The desk in the corner, which is covered in books, is mine.
(We don't need this information in order to understand the sentence. "The desk
in the corner is mine" is a good sentence on its own -- we still know which desk is
referred to. Note that non-defining clauses are usually separated by commas, and
that is not usually used in this kind of context.)

Defining clauses: give essential information about the noun:

The package that arrived this morning is on the desk.
(We need this information in order to understand the sentence. Without the
relative clause, we don't know which package is being referred to. Note that that
is often used in defining relative clauses, and they are not separated by commas.)

Source
http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/410/grammar/adj.htm

Conjunctions
Contrast
"BUT": introduces a contrast or an addition to what one has just said.

"WHILE / WHILST / WHEREAS": introduce contrast in the subordinate clause.

"ALTHOUGH / THOUGH": introduce surprising, unexpected or modifying contrast in

the subordinate clause.

"HOWEVER": introduces a contrast, or a surprising contrastive comment.

"EVEN THOUGH": is used if a particular fact does not make the rest of your statement
untrue.