Adverb Clause

Adverb dependent clause begins with subordinating conjunctions:

After, as though, although, as , as if, as long as, because, before, if, in order that, provided that, as soon as, since, so that, such that, than, though, unless, until, when, whenever , where, wherever, while

• Sometime adverb clauses are elliptical or incomplete, but the complete thought still there in the reader’s mind.

• The boy studied [as though he were inspired]. Adverb clause describe the verb

• The student was miserable [when he felled] Adverb clause describe the predicate adjective miserable

• [When studying], he could concentrate. The adverb elliptical clause while he was studying describes the verb.

The adverb dependent clause, the adverb, and infinitive phrase used as an adverb all works the same.

They describe a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.

They will tell how, when, where, why, to what extent, and under what conditions.

When an adverb dependent clause begins a sentence, it is followed by a comma.

• Examples:

• When we go to town, we always spend a lot of money. (Adverb)

General Time Clauses

The term clause refers to a part of a sentence that has a subject and a verb. An

Independent or main clause is a complete sentence by itself. A dependent clause,however, cannot stand alone. Even though a dependent clause has a subject anda verb, it must be connected to a main clause.

Main Clause Time clause

The teacher doesn’t like to stop when she's in the middle of a lesson.

Time Clause

Time Clause shows when or in what situation another action takes place. Time Clause in the simple present tense talk about general situations.

When students get to class late, they have to wait for permission to enter.

When do students have to wait for permission to enter?

Students can apologize for being late as soon as the class is over.

When can students apologize to the teacher for being late?

A time clause can come before or after the main clause. The most important or the new information usually comes at the end of the sentence. When a time clause goes before the main clause, there must be a comma after the time clause.

What does a student in your country do when he is late to class?

When a student is late, he usually knocks on the classroom door.

When does a student knock on the classroom door?

He knocks on the door when he is late to class.

A time clause is not a complete sentence. It is connected to the main clause with a time word. Some examples of time words are before, after, when, as soon as, and whenever.

MAIN CLAUSE	TIME CLAUSE
Subject + Verb + rest of clause	time word + subject + verb + rest of clause
American students never knock They apologize to the teacher Students don’t say anything They usually try to find a seat I feel very embarrassed	before they enter a classroom. after the class is over. when they come into class late. (at that time) as soon as they get to class. (immediately after) whenever I am late for class. (every time)

Adverbial Clauses of Time

Time sequence is conveyed by terms like after, first, then, and until, followed by noun phrases or time expressions. although these expressions help to achieve coherence in chronologically developed paragraphs, amore sophisticated technique for achieving coherence involves adverbial clauses of time.

Like adverbials, adverb clause when, where, how, how often, and why; they can also indicate contrast or concession. When you are writing chronologically developed paragraphs, you will probably use adverbial clauses of time more often than the other types of adverbial clauses.

Before discussing adverbial clauses, we should review some terms:

Clause A clause is a group of words consisting of at least a subject and verb.

Independent clause An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence.

Dependent clause Although a dependent clause has a subject and verb, it cannot stand alone because it does not express a complete thought.

Dependent clauses begin with such words as because, since, although, after, when, before, while, whereas, who, and why

Dependent clauses must be attached to independent clauses.

Subordinator, subordinating conjunction- These terms refer to adverbials that make a clause dependent, such as when, because, although.

Adverbial clauses are dependent clauses and must be attached to an independent clause. Adverbial clauses can come at the beginning or at the end of the independent clause. Look at these examples:

Subordinate + S + V , S + V

Before he leaves for the office, he always reads the newspaper

S + V Subordinate + S + V

He always reads the newspaper before he leaves for the office.

Note that when the adverbial clause comes at the beginning of the sentence, it is often followed by a comma. However, if it comes at the end, there is no comma separating it from the independent clause.

The adverbial clause is used to make the relationship between two clauses clearer and tighter. An adverbial clause of time clarifies and tightens the time relationship of two clauses.

For example, look at the time relationship between these sentences:

First I go to the store. Then I go home

To make this passage flow more smoothly and to tighten the relationship of the actions, these two clauses can be combined, making one an adverbial clause and leaving one an independent clause:

After I go to the store, I go home.

Note how the author uses adverbial clauses of time in the paragraph about scary experience:

It was nearly dark when my two brothers and arrived at the Ranger Station.

As the ranger was issuing us our camping permit, he warned us to be careful of bears.

After we had put on our hiking boots and adjusted our backpacks, we set off down the nearest trail.

Adverbial clauses of time, however, do not express just time alone; they Express time in relation to the independent clause in the sentence. The Time in the adverbial clause of time can occur simultaneously with, before, or after the time in the independent clause. Let us review the time sequence in adverbial clauses of time.

1. While, as, during the time that, when, whenever. The adverbial

clause subordinators listed here indicate that the action in the adverbial clause occurs during the same time period as the action in the independent clause.

While, as These subordinators often indicate that an action is in progress; therefore, the progressive tenses are frequently used with them. When the progressive is used in this adverbial clause, the simple tenses (simple present, simple past) are often used in the

independent clauses.

As the ranger was issuing us our permit, he warned us of the bears.

As I am sitting there at the table, I look around for a way to escape.

I held the flashlight while my brothers were setting up the ten.

During the time that- This expression is similar to while and when.

Both the progressive and simple tenses can be used with this expression, depending on the action conveyed.

During the time that we remained in the tent, I was very frightened.

When- This subordinator indicates a point in time or a repeated or habitual occurrence; therefore, the simple tenses are generally used with it. Sometimes, however, the progressive tenses are used with it when it is used to mean "while."

It was dark when my two brothers and I arrived at the station.

Whenever- Unlike the other subordinates in this group, whenever usually takes only the simple tenses because it indicates a repeated or habitual action. (It means "each time that, every time that.")

Whenever you call my name, I come running to you.

Sometimes whenever can indicate that the action in the independent clause is future but is expected to be repeated.

Whenever you call me up, I will come over immediately.

2. Before, after. These subordinators are used to indicate that the time in the adverbial clause occurs before or after the action in the independent clause.

After we had put on our hiking boots, we set off down the trail. (First we put

on our boots. After that we set off down the trail.)

Before we set off down the trail, we put on our hiking boots.

Before the parade begins, the people stroll in the street.

In sentences like the first two, where there are two past actions and a sequence is established, the past perfect tense (had + past participle) can be used to indicate the earlier of the two actions. However, it is common practice to use the simple past tense in the adverbial clause.

After we put on our hiking boots, we set off down the trail.

3. Until, till, up to the time that. These subordinators indicate that the time in the adverbial clause signals the end of the time in the independent clause.

I stayed in my tent until it was light outside. (Then she left the tent.)

"You cannot go outside until you finish your spinach," the mother told her child.

4. Since,ever since, from the moment (time) that. These subordinators are used to indicate that the action in the independent clause began at the moment indicated in the adverbial clause and continues in the present. The simple past is usually used in the adverbial clause; the perfect tenses are used in the independent clause.

Ever since I was a child, I have had the tendency to get angry easily.

From the moment I first saw her, I have been in love with her.

5. As soon As, the moment that, when, once

These subordinators are used to indicate that the action in the independent clause will take place upon completion of the action in the adverbial clause. wben is used less frequently in this way; if you want to make it clear that the action in the independent clause will take place right after the action in the adverbial clause, use as soon as or the moment that.

As soon as we arrived at a small clearing, we began to set up camp.

I turn on the television set the moment that I get home.

Once I arrive in Hong Kong, I am going to visit my friend’s parents.

Note: Once can also be used to mean "after."

Special Verb Tense Note

In adverbial clause of time, the present tense is used even though the time indicated is future:

Before you begin to write your paper, you need to think about it.

I am going to stay here until he arrives.

We are giving him a party after he returns from Japan.