Prepared by Abdul Karim Kamaruzaman Hafiz Abu Samah Fitri Shari

An adverb may be a single word such as quickly, here or yesterday , or a phrase such as the day before yesterday or to see my mother . However, adverbs can also be clauses, containing a subject and a full verb. This page will explain the basic types of adverb clauses (sometimes called "adverbial clauses") and how to recognize them.

I saw the movie yesterday. I saw the movie on Friday. I saw the movie before I left for Calgary.

In the first sentence, "yesterday" is a one-word adverb, "on Friday" is an adverb phrase, and "before I left for Calgary" is a adverb clause. All of them answer the question "When?", but the adverb clause has a subject ("I") and a full verb ("left"). It is introduced by "before", so it is a dependent clause. This means that it cannot stand alone: "Before I left for Calgary" would not be a full sentence. It needs a main clause ("I saw the movie"). An adverb clause, then, is a dependent clause that does the same job as an adverb or an adverb phrase

Type
Place

Question answered
Where?

Example
Wherever there are computers, there is Microsoft software. After the fruit is harvested, it is sold at the market. I didn't call her because I'm shy. She took a computer course so that she could get a better job. Although Jay has a Master's degree, he works as a store clerk. If you save your money, you will be able to go to college.

Time

When?

Cause

Why? (What caused this?) Why? (What was the reason for doing this?) Why is this unexpected?

Purpose

Concession

Condition

Under what conditions?

As you can see from the examples above, most adverb clauses can be recognized because they are introduced by a particular word or phrase (such as "when", "so that", etc.). These words and phrases are called subordinating conjunctions.

When an adverb clause begins the sentence use a comma to separate the two clauses. Example: As soon as he arrives, we will have some lunch. When the adverb clause finishes the sentence there is no need for a comma. Example: He gave me a call when he arrived in town.

Adverb Clauses with Time

When He was talking on the phone when I arrived. When she called, he had already eaten lunch. I washed the dishes when my daughter fell asleep. We'll go to lunch when you come to visit. 'When' means 'at that moment, at that time, etc.'. Notice the different tenses used in relationship to the clause beginning with when. It is important to remember that 'when' takes either the simple past OR the present - the dependent clause changes tense in relation to the 'when' clause.

Even though, though, although Even though it was expensive, he bought the car. Though he loves doughnuts, he has given them up for his diet. Although he course was difficult, he passed with the highest marks. Notice how 'though, even though' or 'although' show a situation which is contrary to the main clause to express opposition. Even though, though and although are all synonyms.

If If we win, we'll go to Kelly's to celebrate! She would buy a house, if she had enough money. Even if. Even if she saves a lot, she won't be able to afford that house. In contrast to sentences with 'if' sentences with 'even if' show a result that is unexpected based on the condition in the 'even if' clause. Example: COMPARE: If she studies hard,

she will pass the exam AND Even if she studies hard, she won't pass the exam

Because They received a high mark on their exam because they had studied hard. I'm studying hard because I want to pass my exam. He works a lot of overtime because his rent is so expensive Notice how because can be used with a variety of tenses based on the time relationship between the two clauses.