Sentence Complexity and Embedding

Adverb Clauses

The Form of Adverb Clauses

Activity 14.4: Answers

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:
When an adverb clause is the first clause in a sentence, use a comma between the two clauses. When an adverb clause is the second clause, don't use a comma, except for adverb clauses of contrast (while and whereas)

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