Adverb clause

Adverb clause

Adverb clause is also know as adverbial clause. It is dependent clause introduced by an adverbial subordinator. Like ADVERB, adverb clause is also used to modify the verb of independent clause and gives the answer to the question like when, where, why, for what purpose, how, how long and how far.  

 Sometimes, a sentence might make its point perfectly clear, but still need a little extra description. Perhaps the sentence should give more information about the verb, in this case one should use adverb clause.

Observe the following sentence to get clear idea.

You stand where you can see the blackboard.

The above sentence is a complex sentence.  The principal clause is – you stand, and the subordinate clause is – where you can see the blackboard.

 In the above sentence ‘stand’ is a verb. And it is modified by “where you can see the blackboard” which gives answer to the question “where?”

Hence   an adverb clause is – where you can see the blackboard.

Definition of Adverb Clause

An adverb clause is a subordinate clause which does the work of an adverb in relation to some word in the principal clause.

This means that the clause describes or modifies a verb, adjective or another adverb. Like other types of clauses an adverbial clause is always a dependent clause. This means that it cannot stand on its own as an independent sentence.

 Adverb clause makes the sentence richer by providing additional information and description that standard adverbs cannot. See the following sentences to clear the concept.

1. She meets her grandparents weekly.

2. She meets her grandparents before she leaves for job every Sunday.

 In sentence 1 you can observe the adverb “weekly” and in sentence 2 ‘before she leaves for job every Sunday” is an adverb clause which makes the sentence figurative by giving more information.

 Difference between an adverbial clause and adverb phrase

The main difference between adverb clause and adverb phrase is –

 Adverb Phrase is a group of words which does not contain a subject and a verb

Adverb Clause is a group of word that contains both a subject and a verb.

Look at the following example

1. They rested at sunset.

 In the above sentence ‘at sunset’ is a group of words, gives the more information about where did they rest?

So it is an adverb phrase.

2. They rested when evening came.

 In the above sentence when evening came is also a group of words give the additional information to the question where did they rest? So it works as an adverb. But this group of words contain subject ‘evening’ and verb ‘came when’. Hence ‘when evening came is an adverb clause.

Adverb clause may come in various forms. Each of these forms distinguished by the nature of the information the clause is communicating. They may be arranged by following manner-

1.   Adverb clause of Time

2.   Adverb clause of Place

3.   Adverb clause of Manner

4.   Adverb clause of Degree of Comparison

5.   Adverb clause of Cause of Reason

6.   Adverb clause of Purpose

7.   Adverb clause of Result if Consequence

8.   Adverb clause of Condition

9.   Adverb clause of Concession

 

Let us discuss the all above types in detail

1. Adverb clause of Time

Adverb clause of time discuss when the action in the sentence take place

1. I waited for my friend until he came.

2. I left my home when he called me.

2. Adverb clause of Place

Adverb clauses of place describe where the action in the sentence’s main clause takes place. Look at the examples below

1. They drove beyond where the city ends.

2. The scene was filmed where the bridge crosses the river.

 

3. Adverb clause of Manner

Adverb clause of manner describes the manner of action means how the he action described in the sentence’s main clause is taking place. Look at the following examples.

1. H did as he was told.

2. He fought how his father taught him.

 

4. Adverb clause of Degree of Comparison

Adverb clauses of comparison are clauses that communicate how the subject of the dependent clause evaluate to the subject in the main clause. There are two types of adverbial clause of comparison: 1) adverb clause of comparison of degree and 2) adverb clause of comparison of manner.

1) Adverb clause of comparison of degree

Examples

I. He is as good at sports as he is good at studying.

II. He can perform better on the sage than he is performing in the practice.

2) Adverb clause of comparison of manner.

I. My birthday party went as well as I’d hoped.

II. An actions unfolded as the vision prophesized.

 

5. Adverb clause of Cause of Reason

Adverbial clause of reason tells us the reason for the action being taken place in the sentence’s main clause. These clauses generally use subordinate conjunctions like because, unless and since.

For example

1. I do it because I choose to.

2. I have not been well since I worked full night.

 

6. Adverb clause of Purpose

Just like adverb clause of reason, adverbial clause of purpose frequently involves subordinate conjunctions. These two kinds of clause can look same but they have one small difference

Adverbial clause of reason gives the reason why something is happening while adverbial clause of purpose explains the reason to take a specific action.

For example:

1. We have come so we can help you.

2.  They studied all night so they would score more in this exam.

 

7. Adverb clause of Result if Consequence

An adverb clause of result or consequence is used to say that what happens as a result of action mentioned in the main clause. The chief conjunction used to introduced adverb clause of result are so that, in order that, so… that and such … that 

For example:

1. He was not so rich that he could buy a car.

2. I have written to your boss in order that he may excuse you.

.

8. Adverb clause of Condition

Adverbial clause of condition can communicate the condition related to the verb, adverb, or adjective in the sentence’s main clause. These following examples indicate a few ways to use adverbial clauses of condition

 For example:

1. If you eat too much you will be ill.

2. We’ll be sitting in the exam hall until they ask us to leave.

 

9. Adverb clause of Concession

In adverbial clause of concession, the sentence shows the factor that modifies the main clause. Look at the following examples:

1. He had his lunch with all workers though he is owner of company.

2.  Despite he fought with his friend, he saved him from a big accident.

Hope my readers are satisfied by this page about Adverb Clause. This information may help you to clear your concept about ADVERB CLAUSE. Adverb Clauses are just one of the many kinds of clauses you utilize in your writing. They can be complicated and it can be easy to make mistakes with them so go on reading and enhance your knowledge.

Thank you!