Adverbial clause

An adverbial clause is a dependent clause—also called a subordinate clause—that functions as an adverb; that is, the clause itself contains a subject (explicit or implied) and predicate, and the entire clause modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. An adverbial clause is usually, but not always, fronted by a subordinate conjunction—sometimes called a trigger word).

• He talked with Mary when she went to the store. (explicit subject she; predicate went; modifies talked; trigger word when)
• He talked with Mary in order to appear fair. (implied subject he, "in order .. [that he] appear fair"; predicate appear; modifies talked)

According to Sidney Greenbaum and Randolph Quirk, adverbial clauses function mainly as adjuncts or disjuncts in a sentence. Adjuncts and disjuncts may also appear as simple adverbial phrases—which do not contain a subject and predicate—or as the more expressive adverbial prepositional phrases (Greenbaum and Quirk,1990), as contrasted here:

• I like to fly kites for fun. (adverbial phrase)
• We left after the end of the speeches. (adverbial prepositional phrase)
• We left after the speeches ended. (adverbial clause)

Types

Type of Clause	Common Conjunctions	Function	Example
clauses of time	when, before, after, since, while, as, as long as, until,till, etc. (conjunctions that answer the question "when?"); the paired (correlative) conjunctions hardly ... when, scarcely ... when, barely ... when, no sooner ... than	These clauses are used to say when something happens by referring to a period of time or to another event.	Her goldfish died when she was young.
clause of condition	if, unless, lest	These clauses are used to talk about a possible or counterfactual situation and its consequences.	If they lose weight during an illness, they soon regain it afterwards.
clauses of purpose	in order to, so that, in order that	These clauses are used to indicate the purpose of an action.	They had to take some of his land so that they could extend the chuchyard.
clauses of reason	because, since, as, given	These clauses are used to indicate the reason for something.	I couldn't feel anger against him because I liked him too much.
clause of concession	although, though, while	These clauses are used to make two statements, one of which contrasts with the other or makes it seem surprising.	I used to read a lot although I don't get much time for books now.
clauses of place	where, wherever, anywhere, everywhere, etc. (conjunctions that answer the question "where?")	These clauses are used to talk about the location or position of something.	He said he was happy where he was.
clause of comparison	as	Adverb as is a clause which states comparison.	Johan can speak English as fluently as his teacher.
clauses of manner	as, like, the way	These clauses are used to talk about someone's behavior or the way something is done, answering the question, "How?".	I was never allowed to do things as I wanted to do them.
result clauses	so...that, such...that	These clauses are used to indicate the result of something.	My suitcase had become so damaged on the journey home that the lid would not stay closed.

Further reading

• Greenbaum, Sidney & Quirk, Randolph. A Student's Grammar of the English Language. Hong Kong: Longman Group (FE) Ltd, 1990.
• Sinclair, John (editor-in-chief). Collins Cobuild English Grammar. London and Glasgow: William Collins Sons & Co ltd, 1990.

External links

• Adverb Clause
• How to Use Adverb Clauses