Adverb Clause

What is an Adverb Clause?

An adverb phrase is a set of terms in a sentence that operate as an adverb.

Verbs, adverbs, and adjectives can all be modified or described by the phrase.

Adverb clauses, mostly, offer details that explains when, where, why, how, how much, or under what conditions the action in the sentences occur.

An adverb phrase is a set of terms in a statement that operates like adverb but lacks both the subject(s) and the verb(s).

Subordinating conjunction, like "after," "if," "because," or "although," precedes an adverb phrase. On the other hand, an adverb clause is not just any sequence of words. To be complete, a clause must have a subject and a verb.

An adverb clause, similar to all clauses, has a subject and a verb. An adverb clause, on the contrary, is a dependent clause. This implies that it can never stand alone as a sentence. An adverb clause, in particular, is a modifier that alters the independent clause.

The following are the various components of the adverb clause:

The subject of a sentence: It is the individual, location, idea, or thing that it is about. In a clause or sentence, it is the noun that does something.

The precedent: In your statement, this is where the action is. It describes what the subject does and is frequently a verb, although it can also be a verb phrase (a verb with its objects or modifiers).

The dependent 'marker' words/subordinating conjunctions: A dependent marker word (also known as subordinating conjunction) is a word that provides information such as time or context. The majority of adverbial clauses start with a subordinating conjunction.

The object: This is the term in a phrase influenced by the verb or preposition, mainly nouns or pronouns that answer questions like 'who,' 'what,' 'where,' and 'when?'

What Is an Adverb?

The adverb is a word in the English language that characterizes the adjectives, another adverbs, or the verbs. Adverbs provide additional information on how an activity was carried out. In generally, they provide answers to queries such as how, why, where, and when.

She moved slowly. (adverb)

She walked like an elderly lady. (adverb phrase)

She walked as if she was moving to the criminal cell. (adverb clause)

In each of these sentence fragments, the bold term or group of words addresses the issue "how?" and explains the verb "walked."

Definition of a Clause

A clause is a collection of terms that includes both the subjects and the verbs. This is distinct from a phrase, that lacks the subject and the verb.

Making Use of Adverb Clauses

Including an adverb clause in your sentence is an excellent method to add significant, descriptive depth and information to your writing. They are adaptable and can be used at the start, middle, or ending of a sentence, based on how they sound.

Before going ahead, let us figure out the difference between phrase and clause.

Clause vs. Phrase

Study the initially given instances of terms being used together to function as an adverb in a statement when discussing the distinction between phrases and clauses.

He walked like an elderly woman. (phrase)

He walked as if he was moving to the gallows. (clause)

In the instances mentioned above," Like an elderly lady" doesn't have a subject or the verb. Thus, it is an adverb phrase.

As a result, "as if he were moving to the gallows" includes the subject (he) and a verb (were moving), forming it the adverbial clause.

Types of Clauses

Clauses could be either standalone or reliant on one another. Adverb clauses are not entire phrases like independent clauses. Dependent clauses, also called subordinate clauses, cannot function as entire sentences on their own. Dependent clauses include adverb clauses. They differ from other sorts of dependent clauses in that they serve as an adverb.

The dependent clauses are bolded in the instances below, whereas the independent clauses are highlighted.

Because she has a university diploma, she got a good career.

When the storm rolled, Helen was at the supermarket.

Riya wore a jacket that I gave her.

Each dependent clause (in bold) comprises of the subject and the verb but does not form a coherent statement on its own. They are meaningless without an independent clause. The independent clauses (underlined) can function as grammatically full statements on their own; however, adding the dependent clauses adds more depth.

What Is an Adverb Clause?

Adverb clause is the dependent clause which operate as adverbs. These are also known as adverbial clauses. Adverb clause comprise of the subject and the verb and are used to describe adjectives, verbs, or another adverbs.

Subordinating Conjunctions

Since adverb clauses are dependent clauses, these must be joined to the remainder of the phrase by a subordinating conjunction. Knowing how to distinguish subordinating conjunction will allow you to identify an adverb clause.

The following are few instances of subordinating conjunctions. They are classified according to the sort of questions they reply to:

when - after, when, until, soon, before, once, while, as soon as, whenever, by the time. Etc.

how - if, whether or not, provided, in case, unless, even if, in the event and so on

why - because, as, since, so, in order that, now that, in as much as

where - wherever, where and so on.

Comma Requirements for the clause positioning

Adverb clauses can appear at the start, middle, or conclusion of a sentence. These need a comma to neutralize them from the remaining of the sentence, whether inserted at the onset or middle of the statement.

There is no need for a comma, so when an adverb clause comes at the ending of a statement. The adverb clause and related punctuation are highlighted in the instances below.

1. Beginning placement (comma required) - Regardless of whether you want it or not, you have to eat.
2. Middle placement (commas required) - The kid, although he is very intelligent, failed history.
3. End placement( no comma)- He enjoyed the event more than she did.

Adverb Clauses Classified by Type and Purpose

Adverb clauses frequently resolve where, when, why, and how inquiries in a phrase since they operate like adverbs. The instances below are sorted by the question the adverb clause answers. In each case, the adverb phrase is bolded for ease of recognition.

Adverb Clauses That Respond to Where

Adverbial phrases frequently convey location information of an event. Whenever you're trying to demonstrate the position of anything, utilize this form of adverb phrase to be very precise on the exact location.

1. Wherever there is melody, folks will enjoy and dance.
2. You can come for a trip where we are residing this season.
3. They are staying at a motel that houses the spa.

Adverb Clauses That Indicate When

The adverbial phrases that follow provide a response to the issue of when. These are useful when you wish to specify the time-period in which some-activity will, has, or is anticipated to occur. When describing time, use this form of an adverb clause.

1. After the housework is accomplished, we will eat sweets.
2. When the bell chimes, she has to exit.
3. Veggies on the vine, if they get a humid climate, will crack.

Adverb Clauses That Indicate Why

The following adverb clauses are instances of those that respond to questions why. When explaining the cause or goal of anything, employ this form of adverb clause, which together offer explanation or justification for the result.

1. She cleared the exam because she made an effort. (cause)
2. Because sticked to the diet plan, her heart rate and sugar levels were reduced. (cause)
3. So that he would not spoil the flooring, he decided to take off his footwear. (purpose)
4. He eats veggies in order to remain healthy. (purpose)

Adverb Clauses That Explain How

The adverb phrases that follow address questions, "How?" Broadly there are two types of clauses in this segment: conditional clauses and concessional clauses.

Clauses of condition state what must take place in order for anything to occur, whereas clauses of concessions describe what has happened despite a context that would appear to imply that a different result should have happened.

1. If you save some finances, you can purchase a better ball. (condition)
2. Unless you rush, you will indeed be late for class. (condition)
3. Even though you are 15, you can't go to another film. (concession)
4. Although you offered it your full attempt, you did not win the game. (concession)

Adverb Clauses Provide Extensive Detail

Although adverb clauses are somewhat more involved than solo adverbs, they can help you increase more context to your text by describing how and why things occur. When you start using subordinating conjunctions and dependent clauses in your writings, you add interest by changing the rhythm of your statements. Adverb clauses help to build a comprehensive image for the reader by layering vital information. Examine adverb clause instances to gain a sense of the various ways these descriptors might be applied to enhance your writing.

Popular adverb clause mistakes

Adverb clauses can be tough to employ at times. Therefore, it's crucial to be aware of the most typical errors. You can prevent making foolish mistakes this way.

• One of the most typical blunders with adverb clauses is interpreting them as though they are self-contained.
• It is critical to understand that adverb clauses are subordinate (dependent) clauses. This suggests they aren't coherent on their own. They must be joined to the main sentence by a subordinating conjunction. Don't ever view an adverb clause as if it were a sentence in and of itself.
• Similarly, if the adverb clause is removed, the main phrase should still make logical sense. The adverb clause adds something 'additional' to the sentence. The adverb clause is anything 'additional' that adds detail to the current phrase. As a result, the clause you're adding must be self-contained.
• Adverb phrases are usually preceded by a subordinating conjunction. When joining an adverb clause to the main sentence, don't forget to utilize the conjunction to link them. Otherwise, they'll be two unconnected clauses, and the adverb clause will still be meaningless.

An adverb clause, just like all the other clauses, which necessarily comprise of both the subject and the verb. If you exclude the verb, you get a phrase rather than a sentence.

Adverb clauses must always satisfy three criteria:

1. To begin, an adverb clause always has a subject and a verb.
2. Second, adverb clauses include subordinate conjunctions, which prohibit them from carrying whole ideas and becoming comprehensive sentences.
3. Third, all adverb clauses respond to one of the basic "adverb questions": when? Why? How? Where?

Adverb Clause Instances

You'll see how these helpful phrases change other terms/expressions by offering important information regarding the location, timing, manner, surety, frequency, or other conditions of the action signified by the verbs or verb phrases in the statements when you read the examples below. While adverb clauses are significantly more complex than plain adverbs, they are worthwhile to study.

The adverb clauses in these examples are highlighted to make them easier to identify.

1. Jessica cleaned the tub until her hands were sore. (This adverb clause defines how Jessica cleaned)
2. The pups started attacking my vehicle once they saw it cross the street. (This adverb phrase described the incident when the pups began attacking my vehicle.)
3. After getting my teeth pulled out, I had a smoothie for dinner because I couldn't bite down anything.(With this adverb phrase, I explain why I drank a smoothie for supper.)