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ETSI de Telecomunicaciones
English
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
INTRODUCTION
Definition
They modify a verb (either finite or non-finite), an
adjective, an adverb or another clause.
e.g.:
Dont start before the machine is ready for operation
Functioning until the transmission was completed, the
link provided an optimum performance
The portable was simpler than it was expected
The programmer worked harder than he ever did before
As it turned out, the satellite did not fulfil safety
requirements
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
INTRODUCTION (2)
Position
Most commonly, at the beginning or the end of the
main clause. In some cases, medial position.
e.g. :
If possible, use a different method
The scene must be illuminated until a
distinctive image appears
I was told that, if I applied early, I would
be given an immediate answer
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
CLAUSES OF TIME
They answer the question When? and are common
in the initial or end position.
Main conjunctions: WHEN, WHENEVER,
BEFORE, AFTER, UNTIL, SINCE, ONCE, AS,
NOW THAT, AS SOON AS, AS LONG AS, THE
MOMENT, DIRECTLY, WHILE.
Some of these conjunctions may introduce verbless
or abbreviated time clauses.
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
e.g.:
When the line is engaged, the hold-on mode is automatically
assigned
Signals were modified as they entered the first multiplexor
Directly the data arrived at its destination, the user interface
transformed the flow into intelligible information
Now that the research connected with the
telecommunications field is advancing so fast, work
prospects are also increasing
When in doubt, ask for information (verbless)
Once finished, disconnect the equipment (abbreviated)
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
CLAUSES OF PLACE
They answer the question Where?.
Conjunctions (also for verbless and
abbreviated clauses): WHERE, WHEREVER
e.g.:
Answer yes or no where appropriate
Wherever possible, all parts should be
tested
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
CLAUSES OF CONDITION
These clauses give the circumstances under which the
statement of the main clause will take place or be true, i.e.,
they state the dependence of one circumstance or set of
circumstances on another.
Main conjunctions: IF (positive cond.), UNLESS (negative
cond.), PROVIDED THAT, PROVIDING, SUPPOSED,
SUPPOSING (mostly connected with questions), SO LONG
AS, AS LONG AS, SO THAT, ON CONDITION THAT.
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
e.g.:
If the international line is engaged, you must replace the handset
and try again
Unless it works properly, results will be unreliable (If it doesnt
work properly, results...)
Supposing the teacher saw you cheating, what would you do?
You will be given the prize provided (that) your project is a novelty
The director will phone you on condition that you make an
appointment previously
(Notice that the comma is compulsory whenever the
subordinate comes first)
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
Clauses beginning with If are similar to
questions which imply uncertainty. Thus, they
tend to contain non-assertive forms such as
Ever and Any.
Clauses beginning with Unless stress the
excluded positive option and, so, they
normally contain assertive forms like Some.
For the same reason, these clauses are not
usually unreal conditions.
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
e.g.:
If you ever hear any news from the company, let me know
Dont call me unless youve got something new to tell me
If we hadnt upgraded the system, we would have had a
lot of problems (unreal condition). *Unless we had
upgraded ...
Both If and Unless can introduce abbreviated and
verbless clauses.
e.g.:
If ready, lets begin
The lab is closed on Saturday unless otherwise stated
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
Indirect conditions
They behave as STYLE DISJUNCTS (Quite useful for oral presentations)
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
b. Calls for the hearers agreement, suggesting that
the wording is not quite precise or that he should
not be misunderstood:
The Big Bang theory of the origin of the Universe
bears a startling resemblance to the description of
creation in Genesis, if one may put it so.
Other expressions: If that is the correct term, If
that is the word for it, If you see what I mean,
If you like.
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
c. To express either speakers or hearers
uncertainty:
Chomskys views cannot be reconciled with Piagets
if I understand both correctly
Other expressions: If Im correct, In case you
dont remember (Ironical: Einsteins theory of
gravitation is based on a mathematical concept, in
case you dont remember/in case you have already
forgotten), If you know what Im referring to.
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
CLAUSES OF CONCESSION
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
e.g.:
We will do our best, although we are not keen.
You will enjoy this program, even if you dislike
computers.
Whereas services havent been paid their due
attention, the impact of technology is constantly in
the news.
PCs are used everywhere, while Macs are mainly
restricted to the office environment.
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
Conditional-concessive clauses
1. Alternative conditional-concessive: They give a choice
between two possible conditions.. Introduced by the
correlative conjunction WHETHER......OR.
2. Universal conditional-concessive: Generally introduced
by some WH- word or expression (whatever, whoever, no
matter wh-...). They can also begin with certain fixed
expressions:
Come what may (whatever may happen)
Do what you will (whatever you do)
Be that as it may (however that may be)
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
1.
2.
3.
4.
e.g.:
The satellite will keep its position, whatever the
weather conditions are.
Whether the weather improves or not, the satellite
transmission wont be subject to undesirable delays.
However / No matter how fast the information is
input, the system always takes its time to process
that.
Please, do contact us if you need further
information. Be that as it may, thank you very much
in advance.
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
CLAUSES OF REASON OR CAUSE
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
e.g.:
It is true because I say it is.
Whereas the defendant has pleaded guilty, the Court
will be lenient with him.
Well have to rearrange the configuration after we
said we would.
Being a man of ingenuity, he repaired the machine.
We are happy you can manage.
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
CLAUSES OF PURPOSE
They state the finality of the action expressed by the main verb. Mainly
introduced by: IN ORDER THAT/TO, IN ORDER FOR (+ noun), SO
(THAT), SO AS TO... Very often they occur in the form of a full infinitive
(as it happened with conditionals).
e.g.:
The program was scanned so that unknown viruses could be found.
We left the device connected in order for the staff to access relevant
information whenever required.
He destroyed the papers so that no one might see them.
To open the carcass, you have to press down the button.
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
CLAUSES OF RESULT
They state what has happened (or may happen) as the result of the action
or state expressed by the main clause.
Principal conjunctions: SO.....THAT, SO (THAT), SUCH.....THAT,
SUCH (THAT).
e.g.:
We introduced the necessary changes so that the operations gave the
expected result.
Our finances are such that we cannot afford another increase in the
production expenses.
Sometimes, clauses of result are similar to clauses of purpose. Compare:
We rearranged the configuration so that it could work properly with . . .
so that it worked properly.
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
CLAUSES OF COMPARISON
e.g.:
Mathematicians often behave as though they knew all the answers.
This is not a bad result as prices go.
The composite is as dry as its going to get.
Our company created new branches abroad, as did our competitors.
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
CLAUSES OF PROPORTION AND PREFERENCE
Clauses of proportion express a proportionality or
equivalence of tendency or degree between situations. They
are introduced by AS or the correlatives THE.....THE (with
a fake comparative structure).
Clauses of preference are introduced by RATHER THAN or
SOONER THAN followed by a bare infinitive. RATHER
THAN can also precede a gerund or a noun.
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
e.g.:
As speed increased, more losses were produced.
The more we thought about the matter, the less we
understood it.
Rather/Sooner than reducing the capacity, Id
replace several components.
Rather than bulky deflecting coils, well employ an
electrostatic focus.
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
REVERSAL OF WORD ORDER AFTER ADVERBIAL ELEMENTS
The usual order Subject + Verb is reversed after the following adverbial
elements:
1. Adverbial elements of negation: NO, NOT, NEVER, NEITHER.
e.g.: In no case can an exception be made
Never had I seen such an outstanding performance
2. Negative conjunctions: NOT ONLY.....BUT, NO SOONER.....THAN.
e.g.: Not only is it very efficient but its quite inexpensive too
No sooner had we begun our presentation than the light went off
3. Adverbial elements of near (quasi) negation: SCARCELY,
SELDOM, RARELY, BARELY, HARDLY.
e.g.: Seldom has anyone succeeded in this business
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
REVERSAL OF WORD ORDER AFTER ADVERBIAL ELEMENTS(2)
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
I. Reduce the finite time clauses into non-finite or verbless ones.
1. When
those changes were suggested, did you take them into consideration?.
2. Once the project is finished, it will have to be accepted by the General
Board.
3. When the satellite is in space, its orbital location must be monitored very
carefully and quite often.
4. Until you are asked to speak, you will be well advised to remain silent.
5. While the aircraft is taking off, passengers are not allowed to make use of
private electronic equipment.
6. The transmission was disrupted due to a general failure in the head-end
before it was completed.
7. When you enter the building, you will see the laboratory of digital signal
processing right in front of you.
8. After we had proposed the purchase of a speech recognition system for the
bank, we admitted that it might be too expensive.
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
II. Combine each of the pairs of sentences below so as to form a single sentence containing a
conditional or a concessive clause.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Adverbial clauses
III. Which of the subordinate clauses in the sentences below are adjuncts, and
which disjuncts?
Theyve lit a fire, because theyre so cold.
Theyve lit a fire, because I can smell smoke.
Since you ask me, I think youre being unwise.
Because there was no quorum, the Chairman ruled that the meeting had to be
reconvened.
IV. If the infinitive clauses in the sentences below are clauses of purpose, replace to
by so as to or in order to.
The computer continued to compile the data previously input.
The computer stopped to show a warning notice on screen.
The Department wanted to interconnect all the computers in a LAN.
The Department waited to have the new configuration ready.
He politely invited me to leave the committee room.
He suggested my leaving the committee room to be able to deal with certain matters
concerning my position in the company.