ADVERB CLAUSES
Prepared by vmhuetn@gmail.com
TOEFL class
1. Overview

Examples:
The people danced as the music played.
Since Max seldom talks about himself, I did not know he liked classical ballet.
I bought the book so that I could read on the flight.
A subordinate clause
Contain a clause marker, a subject and a verb
Come before or after the main clause / independent clause
2. Kinds of subordinators
Time
After
By the time
When
As
Once
Whenever
Before
Since
While
As soon as
Till / until
The people danced as the music played.
We worked as long as we could.
2. Kinds of subordinators
Manner
As
As if / As though
Just as
Betty looks as if something is wrong.
The wind was cold yesterday just as it had been all week long.
2. Kinds of subordinators
Cause and effect (reason)
Because
As
Since
So that
Now that
We should take a first - aid kit in case there is an accident.
Since Max seldom talks about himself, I did not know he liked classical ballet.
2. Kinds of subordinators
Condition
If
Even if
Only if
In the event that
In case that
Provided (that)
Unless
We can go camping with Bill provided we bring our own equipment.
2. Kinds of subordinators
Purpose
So that
So (that)
In order that
He wrote that memo in order that there would be no misunderstandings.
I bought the book so that I could read on the flight.
2. Kinds of subordinators
Results
so ... that
such ... that
The lock on my suitcase broke so that all my belongings fell onto the conveyor belt.
She got such a shock that she dropped the tray.
2. Kinds of subordinators
Concession / Oppositions
Although
As much as
Despite the fact that
Even if
Even though
Except that
In spite of the fact that
Not that
Though
Whereas
While
Jim goes hiking, despite the fact that he has asthma.
Jenny’s smile is an important aspect of her personality, even if she does not realize it.
2. Kinds of subordinators
Place
Everywhere
Wherever
Where
Everywhere he went, people admired him.
Wherever I looked, I found fingerprints.
3. Reduced adverb clauses
An adverb clause can be changed to a reduced one if the subject of the main clause and the subject of the adverb clause are the same.

A reduced adverb clause consists of:
a present participle (active voice)
or a past participle (passive voice)
or an adjective + clause maker (although, when, while)
3. Reduced adverb clauses
Adverb clauses that begin with after, before, since, when, and while are frequently reduced to phrases.


When reducing adverb clauses that begin with because, when or while, sometimes the subject and subordinator / clause markers are omitted.
3. Reduced adverb clauses

Because it was once considered a dangerous predator, the wolf has been hunted to near-extinction.
→ Once considered a dangerous predator, the wolf has been hunted to near-extinction.


When she returned to her native city, Kate Chopin began to write the stories for which she is noted.
→ Returning to her native city, Kate Chopin began to write the stories for which she is noted.
3. Reduced adverb clauses
After the space probes landed on Mars, they sent back pictures.
→ After landing on Mars, the space probes sent back pictures


Although the moon rocks were expensive to obtain, they provided valuable information.
→ Although expensive to obtain, the moon rocks provided valuable information.
3. Reduced adverb clauses
When a substance undergoes a slow oxidation, the substance can burst into flame.
→ When undergoing a slow oxidation, the substance can burst into flame.


Benjamin Franklin invented many things while he was working as a printer.
→ Benjamin Franklin invented many things while working as a printer.
3. Reduced adverb clauses
Frank Sprague developed the elevator after he had improved the electric motor.
→ Frank Sprague developed the elevator after improving the electric motor.


Since it was discovered, penicillin has been used to treat bacterial infections.
→ Since discovered, penicillin has been used to treat bacterial infections.
4. Verb tense of the adverb clauses
In most adverb clauses, the verb has the same tense as the verb in the main clause.

Some exceptions
The time refers to something that will happen, use a present tense.
As soon as I find my car keys, we’ll leave.
4. Verb tense of the adverb clauses
Some exceptions
“in case” / “just in case” + clause refers to a possible future situation, use simple present tense.

The verb in the main clause is in the present tense or present perfect tense, use “can” “may” “will” or “shall”

The verb in the main clause is in the past tense, use “could” “might” “would” or “should”
I am bringing my umbrella (just) in case it rains.




I want to learn typing so that I can type my own essays.



Margo wrote the items on a list that we would remember everything.


4. Verb tense of the adverb clauses
Some exceptions
Conditional type 1







Conditional type 2
If someone speaks to Lily, she turns red.
If you don’t believe me, you can ask Mike.
If you haven’t had this kind of cookie, we should get some for you to try.

He couldn’t sleep unless he got a lot of exercise.

5. Notes
Some prepositions have almost the same meaning as some of the clause markers but they can be used only with nouns, noun phrases, or pronouns. They cannot be used with clauses.

Because of
On account of
In case of
In spite of
Despite
During
5. Notes
In spite of the damage to the spacecraft, the astronauts got back to Earth safely.

In case of contamination, special suits were worn.

Many of the planets are cratered because of meteor bombardment.

Radio receivers were used during the Second World War.
6. TOEFL strategy
A part of the adverb clause may be missing.

Incorrect subordinator
The art of yoga began in India more than 2,000 years ago, ........... people discovered they could use a breathing exercise to develop focus.
A. some
B. that
C. as if
D. when
6. TOEFL strategy
Incorrectly formed adverb phrase
.......... Becquerel’s work with radioactivity, Marie Curie began to study uranium.
A. She followed
B. Followed
C. Following
D. It follows
The end