adverbial clause

An adverbial clause is a clause that functions as an adverb. In other words, it contains a subject (explicit or implied) and a predicate, and it modifies a verb.

KINDS OF ADVERBIAL CLAUSES:

·         Time Clauses

Function: These clauses are used to say when something happens by referring to a period of time or to another event.

Conjunctions: when, before, after, since, while, as, as long as, until,till (conjunctions that answer the question "when?"), hardly, scarcely, no sooner, etc.

Example:        His cat died when he was child.

                       Your hair is longer since last time I saw you.

·         Conditional Clauses

Function: These clauses are used to talk about a possible situation and its consequences.

Conjunctions: if, unless.

Example:         If I find her address, I’ll send her an invitation.

·         Purpose Clauses

Function: These clauses are used to indicate the purpose of an action.

Conjunction: in order to, so that, in order that.

Example:        The lecturer finished his lecture five minutes early so that the                    students could come and ask him questions.

·         Reason Clauses

Function: These clauses are used to indicate the reason for something.

Conjunction: because, since, as, given.

Example:        I studied hard because I wanted to pass the test.

·         Result Clauses

Function: These clauses are used to indicate the result of something.

Conjunction: so..that

Example:        It is so small that no one could see that.

                       I was so weak that I could not speak.

·         Concessive Clauses

Function: These clauses are used to make two statements, one of which contrasts with the other or makes it seem surprising.

Conjunction: although, though, while

Example:        I tried hard to complete the test, though it seemed impossible.

·         Place Clauses

Function: These clauses are used to talk about the location or position of something.

Conjunction: where, wherever, anywhere, everywhere, etc. (conjunctions that answer the question "where?")

Example:        He said he was happy where he was.

                       Everywhere I look, I see mother with newborn babies.

·         Clauses Of Manner

Function: These clauses are used to talk about someone's behaviour or the way something is done.

Conjunction: as, like, the way

Example:        He finished the work as she requested.

                       We mixed the chemicals exactly as the lab instructor had told us to.

·         Clauses Of Exclamation

Function: Exclamations are used to express anger, fear, shock, surprise etc. They always take an exclamation mark.

Conjunction: what a(an), how, such, so

Example:        What horrible news! How fast she types!