The Adverb Clause

• How? •To what

• Where? extent?
• When? •Under what
• Why? condition?
Where can you find an adverb?

• Adverbs modify:

VERBS, ADJECTIVES, and other ADVERBS

 …therefore you can find them:
• Nearly anywhere in the sentence…
• However, they are usually near the verb,
adjective or adverb they modify (but not
always)
Examples:
• He can run fast.
(tells: how he can run)
• She really likes soccer.
(tells: to what extent, she likes…)
 More Examples:
• They can swim really quickly.
(modifies the adverb quickly. It answers – How
quickly?)

• He is not enjoying this activity.

(Just remember the word not is always an adverb.)

• She is always late for class.

(The words always, never, sometimes, rarely,
etc. are also adverbs)
 Adverbs answer
where…
Your book is here.

Your pencil is there.

The birds are flying

high. The plane is

Adverbs answer
when…
He came home late.

She woke early.

They are performing now.

She will do her homework later.

Unlike an adverb or an
adverb phrase, an adverb
clause has a subject and a
verb
ADVERB:
They will leave soon.

ADVERB PHRASE:
They will leave (in a few minutes).

ADVERB CLAUSE: SS V
They will leave when they are ready.
 Definition…
• An adverb clause is a subordinate
(dependent clause) that modifies a
verb, an adjective, or an adverb.

• Like an adverb an adverb clause

tells where, when, how, why, to
what extent or under what
condition.
Identifying Adverb Clauses
SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
Adverb
Cause Condition
clausesContrast
begin
Place
with Time

subordinating
as as if conjunctions,
although where flag
after

words
because assuming that tell
that even readers
though wherever an
as soon as

since if though before

adverb clause will follow. Here
so that in case since
is a listunlessof the most common until

ones grouped
when according to when

whether
meaning: whenever
 In an adverb clause, a subject and a
verb follow the flag. Note that an
adverb clause must always be a part
of the complete sentence; it can never
stand alone.
 If Steven is ready, we can leave.
 We can leave if Steven is ready.
 I will go unless you need me here.
 Unless you need me here, I will go.
 Adverb Clauses can also be
found nearly anywhere in the
sentence…
…beginning, middle or end…

EXAMPLES:
• You may sit wherever you wish.
(modifies the verb sit and tells where)

• When spring sets in, many students go crazy.

(modifies the verb go and tells when)

• Rachel and Shane look as though they have some

exciting news for us.
(modifies the verb look, telling how R. and S. look)
 More examples…
• Happy because she made an A+, Katie hurried
to phone her mom.
(modifies the adjective Happy, telling why Katie was happy.)

• Jake can climb higher than I can.

(modifies the adverb higher, telling to what extent or how
much higher Jake can climb)

• If it does not rain tomorrow, we will go to the

beach for class.
(modifies the verb will go, telling under what condition we will
go to the beach.)
 COMMA RULES…

• When an adverb clause begins a

sentence, it is followed by a comma.

,
Subordinating Conjunctions:

• An adverb clause is introduced by a

subordinating conjunction—a word that
shows the relationship between the
adverb clause and the word or words that
the clause modifies.
 NOTE!
• The words after, as, before, since, and until
are also commonly used as prepositions.

Example:
PREPOSITION:
(After lunch) we’ll finish building the rocket.

SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION:
After you wash the dishes, you can make the bed.
 You have to go to bed now whether you like it or not.
 If you pay your bills, you will have a good credit score.
 Unless you run fast, you will miss the bus.
 In order to have six-pack abs, he works out at the
gym.
 We must make reservations before we go on vacation.
 Give us a call when you get back from your trip.
 Even if all around you are losing their heads, you need
to remain calm.
 Whenever you promise to so something, you need to
keep it
 The cat made herself at home in the apartment
as if she had always lived there.
Underline the adverb clause in each sentences.
1. I waited for my friend until he arrived.
2. He hid where his pursuers could not find him.
3. I am as intelligent as you are.
4. As he was not there, I left a message with his
mother.
5. We eat that we may live.
6. She was so tired that she could barely stand.
7. If you eat too much, you may fall ill.
8. Though he started early, he finished late.
9. If you do not tell me everything, I will not be able
to help you.
10. Do not go until I get ready.