The Adverb Clause

How?
Where?
When?
Why?

To what
extent?
Under what
condition?

Where can you find an adverb?

Adverbs modify:
VERBS, ADJECTIVES,

and other

ADVERBS

therefore you can find them:

Nearly anywhere in the sentence
However, they are usually near the verb, adjective or
adverb they modify (but not always)

Examples:
He can run fast.
(tells: how he can run)
She really likes soccer.
(tells: to what extent, she likes)

More Examples:
They can swim really quickly.
(modifies the adverb quickly. It answers How quickly?)

He is not enjoying this activity.

(Just remember the word not is always an adverb.)

She is always late for class.

(The words always, never, sometimes, rarely, etc.
are also adverbs)

Adverbs answer where

Your book is here.
Your pencil is there.
The birds are flying high.
The plane is flying by.

Adverbs answer when

He came home late.
She woke early.
They are performing now.
She will do her homework later.

Unlike an adverb or an adverb

phrase, an adverb clause has a
subject and a verb
ADVERB:
They will leave soon.
ADVERB PHRASE:
They will leave (in a few minutes).
S
V
ADVERB CLAUSE:
They will leave when they are ready.

Definition
An adverb clause is a subordinate
(dependent clause) that modifies a verb,
an adjective, or an adverb.
Like an adverb an adverb clause tells
where, when, how, why, to what extent or
under what condition.

Adverb Clauses can also be found

nearly anywhere in the sentence
beginning, middle or end
EXAMPLES:
You may sit wherever you wish.
(modifies the verb sit and tells where)
When spring sets in, many students go crazy.
(modifies the verb go and tells when)
Sammy and Alexandra look as though they have some
exciting news for us.
(modifies the verb look, telling how S. and A. look)

More examples
Happy because she made an A, Maia hurried to
phone her mom.
(modifies the adjective Happy, telling why Maia was happy.)

Will can climb higher than I can.

(modifies the adverb higher, telling to what extent or how
much higher Will can climb)

If it does not rain tomorrow, we will go to the

beach for class.
(modifies the verb will go, telling under what condition we will
go to the beach.)

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

Subordinating
Conjunctions:
An adverb clause is introduced by a
subordinating conjunctiona word that
shows the relationship between the
adverb clause and the word or words that
the clause modifies.

Common Subordinating
Conjunctions:
after

as though

since

when

although

because

so that

whenever

as

before

than

where

as if

how

though

wherever

as long as

if

unless

whether

as soon as

in order that

until

while

NOTE!
The words after, as, before, since, and until
are also commonly used as prepositions.
Example:
PREPOSITION:
(After lunch) well finish building the rocket.
SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION:
After you wash the dishes, you can make the bed.

SUBORDINATE (DEPENDENT)
CLAUSES:

Adjective Clause

Relative
Pronoun

Relative
Adverb

Adverb Clause

Subordinating
Conjunction

Noun Clause