Introduction
Adverbs are expressions that function as modifiers to other elements in the clause. They can provide a wide range of information.
Adverb or adverbial subordinate clauses are a combination of words that act like an adverb.
Form
We form adverbial subordinate clauses by word combinations that act like an adverb.
A sentence with an adverbial clause can have this structure:
Part of the main clause + comma (,) + adverbial clause + comma (,) + rest of the main clause
The words we use to introduce them are:
- for time: after, during the time, immediately, the moment, now, till;
- for place: where, anywhere, everywhere;
- for purpose: so (that), in order that, so as (not) to, in case;
- for cause: seeing (that), for
- for manner: as, the way, as if, as though;
- for contrast: although, though, even though, considering (that), however, no matter.
Example
- After all these years of hard work, I am finally graduating.
- Wherever there is a clinic, there will be doctors as well.
- He underwent surgery in order to remove the cancer.
- Seeing that the student had been bothering his classmates, the teacher punished him.
- He was acting as if he were the head teacher, while he was just an assistant.
- Although he had studied a lot, he went blank during the exam.
Use
We use adverbial subordinate clauses to give information about time, place, purpose, cause, manner and contrast.
Summary
Adverbial subordinate clauses are a combination of words that act like an adverb. These words give different information that has to do with time, place, purpose, cause, manner and contrast.
When we place the adverbial subordinate clause in the middle of a sentence, we put commas (,) before and after it, in order to divide it from the rest of the sentence.
For example:
— “The girl, so as to pass the class, cheated in the exam.” = The adverbial clause that starts with so as to gives information about the purpose. It is placed in the middle of the sentence, therefore we use commas (,) to separate it from the rest of the sentence.
Let’s revise this content within the {Form} section. Take a look at the {Example} section that shows its use within a context.