Adverbs of Clause

What are Adverbial Clauses?

First, it’s important to understand dependent clauses. Dependent clauses are groups of words that have subjects and verbs but don’t possess a complete idea or thought. They’re classified into three kinds: noun clauses, relative clauses, and adverbial clauses.

Noun clauses can take the place of any function of nouns: subjects, objects, and subject complements. For example:

• It took me a moment to remember where I was.

The noun clause “where I was” functions as an indirect object to the verb “remember.” Relative clauses give more information about nouns in a sentence. For example:

• The bag that Kyle gave me is expensive.

The relative clause that Kyle gave me describes the subject “bag.”

Adverbial clauses (also, adverb clauses) modify verbs in sentences. For example:

• Before we called him, we made sure Tai Hung had no idea about the surprise party.

The adverbial clause before we called him modifies the verb made sure, which answers the question when.

Adverbial clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions and answer the questions when, where, why, and how. Let’s take a look at more examples in the following table.

Adverbial Clauses Examples
Question	When?	Where?	Why?	How?
Subordinating Conjunction	as soon as	where	even if	no matter how
Example Sentences	You may leave as soon as you finish the quiz.	Sheila knows the owner of the restaurant where you ate.	Even if you work twice as hard, you won’t keep up with her.	No matter how long they look, it was hard to see the area.

Adverbial Clauses Rules

Rule	Examples
Adverbial clauses are used to describe or modify verbs in sentences.	The glass broke where they eat at the office. Suzy ran because she was frightened. They hid behind the trees.
Adverbial clauses can also describe or modify adjectives in sentences.	They were certain that Bobby will ruin the surprise. It’s fun when you know what you’re doing. He was sure that he won’t get caught.
Adverbial clauses of degree and manner may be used in comparisons.	Adverbial clauses of degree in comparison: The group expected Paula to arrive later than anyone else did. He covered more ground in the evening hours than he covered in the morning. Adverbial clauses of manner in comparison: Her painting was finished just as fast as she promised. The investigation was conducted as straightforwardly as they had hoped.

Examples of Adverbial Clauses

1. Where Yoona vacuumed, Bogum would follow with a polishing mop.

2. Because you performed very well academically this year, I’ll buy you a dog.

3. He prepares the kids’ lunch in the morning before they get out of bed.

4. Since we knew the bus was running late, we thought that we could get coffee nearby.

5. We’re throwing you a birthday party whether you like it or not.

6. The car that we rented last week was way over our budget.

7. I have no idea where I left my phone.

8. Okay, we’ll visit them as long as you behave.

9. After she got home, Katsa received a phone call from one of her cousins.

10. Even though she grew up by the beach, she can’t swim well.

Adverbial Clauses Exercises with Answers

Exercise on Adverbial Clauses

Complete the sentences by choosing the correct subordinating conjunction to finish the adverbial clause.

1. I think Dianne dances as gracefully _______________ Trixie.
A. so
B. as
C. than

2. Carla was too exhausted _______________ she couldn’t speak.
A. that
B. unless
C. since

3. Gia hid in the cupboard _______________ her friends won’t find her.
A. why
B. when
C. where

4. Leo studies hard _______________ he would ace the exam.
A. as
B. so
C. that

5. You’ll be in so much trouble _______________ you don’t spill the beans.
A. until
B. whether
C. if

Answers

1. B: I think Dianne dances as gracefully as Trixie.

2. A: Carla was too exhausted that she couldn’t speak.

3. C: Gia hid in the cupboard where her friends won’t find her.

4. B: Leo studies hard so he would ace the exam.

5. C: You’ll be in so much trouble if you don’t spill the beans.

Adverbial Clauses List

The following is a list of subordinating conjunctions that begins adverbial clauses, classified according to their adverbial functions.

Subordinating Conjunctions List
Adverbial Clauses of Manner	Adverbial Clauses of Time	Adverbial Clauses of Place	Adverbial Clauses of Reason	Adverbial Clauses of Degree
as as if as far as as long as as though unless in that no matter how	as soon as after before once until while till once	where wherever	because even if even though in case that since so that why	as as … as so … as than

Advice for ESL Students & English Language Learners

Modifiers are words that enrich sentences with greater depth and explanation, allowing them to communicate more clearly. Adjectives and adverbs are both utilized for this same purpose, giving adverbs an important role in expressing the implications, value, or meaning that sentences try to convey. Adverbial clauses are groups of words that have the same function. They’re used to create complex sentences, which is a more advanced component of English grammar. To master adverbial clause usage, English language learners must gain knowledge on how to utilize them properly. You can do this by understanding their application in sentence construction, remembering spelling rules, and consistent practice.

Common Errors Made by English Learners

English language learners make common errors when it comes to adverbial clauses. The most common is confusing which type of clause is used or should be used. Additionally, many English language learners struggle with the correct position of adverbial clauses in sentences, affecting the meaning of what they’re trying to express or making their sentences look or sound awkward. The best way to avoid these errors is to become familiar with how adverbial clauses are utilized by learning, using, and reviewing their functions.

Common Errors	Explanation
Wrong Clause	Remember that there are three types of dependent clauses. Relative clauses (also, adjective clauses) modify any nouns in the independent clause of a complex sentence. Meanwhile, adverbial clauses modify the main verb of the independent clause.
Placement	Adverbial clauses need commas if they come before the main subject and verb or if they act as an introduction. In short, adverbial clauses at the beginning of sentences need commas after. If adverbial clauses are at the end of the sentences after the main subject and verb, no comma is needed.
Form	Subordinating conjunctions always start adverbial clauses. It signifies that the clause doesn’t have a complete idea or thought and should therefore be attached to an independent clause to comprise a complete sentence.

Learning Strategies and Best Practices with Adverbial Clauses

The best methods to improve and develop mastery in using adverbial clauses are the following: 

• Train yourself in distinguishing the different types of clauses.
• Familiarize the placement of adverbial clauses in sentences.
• Study the functions of the words that the clauses modify.

Learning Strategies	Explanation
Language Lists	Lists can show language forms and sentence examples, making any grammatical concept easier to see, remember, and use.
Language Exposure	Reading, audio, and video materials are great resources to help broaden your vocabulary and see how native speakers use English in a variety of contexts, topics, and areas of expertise. You can also learn the difference between formal and informal English.
Language Exchange	Use what you’ve learned in daily conversations with fellow learners and English-speaking friends. This will eventually make you sound more confident and natural, and also use the English language with ease.

Adverbial Clauses Frequently Asked Questions