Sentence Complexity and Embedding

Adverb Clauses

The Form of Adverb Clauses

Adverb clauses are clauses, a group of words with a subject-predicate pairing, as we have learned. They are signaled with an introductory word called a subordinating conjunction, which is usually a single word, but may be a compound word with or without a space between the root words. The choice of the subordinating conjunction depends on what question the adverb clause answers (its meaning). Some subordinating conjunctions refer to time, some refer to place, some to manner, and others to conditions or situations.

Because the subordinating conjunctions that begin adverb clauses share meanings with both adverbs and prepositions, and because sometimes the same word can be used in all three adverbial structures, it is easy to become confused about which word is the appropriate one for each type of structure.

Native speakers of English can rely on intuition, but difficulties arise for non-native speakers (and sometimes native speakers, too) in learning which words are adverbs only, which are prepositions only, and which are subordinating conjunctions only. For example, after can be both a preposition and a subordinating conjunction but is not standard when used as an adverb. Look at the examples:

1. What are you doing after the game? (after is a preposition)
2. What are you doing after you graduate? (after is a subordinating conjunction)
3. What are you doing after? (after is used as an adverb)

The word because, on the other hand, is only a subordinating conjunction. We must use because of as a preposition, not the word because alone. And it is not standard to use because as an adverb. Again, study the examples:

1. I took an umbrella because of the rain. (because of is a preposition)
2. I took an umbrella because it was raining. (because is a subordinating conjunction)
3. I took an umbrella because. (because is structured as an adverb)

 

Activity 14.3: Adverb, Preposition, or Subordinating Conjunction?

Separate these words into groups according to which grammatical categories they belong to. If a word belongs to more than one category, put it in every column that is appropriate.

Drag each word to the appropriate column. When a category is complete, the words in that category will turn green.

Click on 'Clue' button for help.

Activity 14.4: Commas or Not?

Each sentence below contains just one adverb clause. Underline it and then consider the placement of commas. Try to come up with the rules about the use of commas with adverb clauses.

1. While I was driving to work one day, I saw five wild turkeys in a parking lot.

2. I saw five wild turkeys in a parking lot while I was driving to work one day.

3. I slowed down because I wanted a closer look.

4. Because I wanted a closer look, I slowed down.

5. Although they were startled by my car, they didn’t run off.

6. They didn’t run off although they were startled by my car.

7. I got out of my car so that I could see them better.

8. So that I could see them better, I got out of my car.

9. When I got out of my car, I scared them away.

10. I scared them away when I got out of my car.

11. If I hadn’t gotten out of the car, I wouldn’t have scared them.

12. I wouldn’t have scared them if I hadn’t gotten out of the car.

13. Turkeys get scared easily, whereas pigeons don’t get scared at all.

14. Whereas pigeons don’t get scared at all, turkeys get scared easily.

Rule for commas in adverb clauses:

Answers

Another feature of the form of adverb clauses in written form is the proper use and placement of commas. While it would be lovely if there were only one rule regarding the use of commas, unfortunately that is not the case. Nevertheless, some basic rules can be applied. Generally, if an adverb clause is located at the beginning of the sentence, in front of the main clause, it is followed by a comma offsetting it from the main clause. If an adverb clause is placed at the end of the sentence, after the main clause, it needs no comma, as this is the basic position for adverbial structures.

Most adverb clauses follow this general rule, but there are exceptions. Adverb clauses of contrast beginning with the subordinating conjunctions of while and whereas always have a comma separating them from the main clause, no matter if they are placed at the beginning or the end of the sentence.

Adverb Clauses 3