Mastering Adverbial Clauses: Types, Subordinators, and Usage

Understanding Adverbial Clauses

Clauses of Time

They are often introduced by subordinators such as after, before, since, until, when, while, as soon as, and once.

Example: When I first met you, you were still studying.

Clauses of Place

They are introduced by where or wherever.

Example: They always went for their holidays wherever they could afford to go.

Clauses of Condition and Concession

This category includes two related types:

• Conditional Clauses: These express the dependence of one set of circumstances on another.

Example: If you are late, I will have gone away.

Concessive Clauses: These imply a contrast between two circumstances; the main clause is surprising in light of the subordinate one.

Example: Although I was late, she waited for me.

Specific Clauses of Concession

They are introduced mainly by though, although, while, whereas, and even if.

Example: Although I told him not to come, he appeared at my wedding.

Clauses of Reason or Cause

They are introduced by as, since, and because.

Example: Since I was the only one who spoke English, I had to act as a translator during our stay in England.

Clauses of Purpose

They function as Adjuncts and are usually non-finite infinitive clauses. They are introduced by:

• in order for + noun
• in order to + verb
• so as to + verb

Example: We left in good time so as to catch the train.

Clauses of Result

They are normally introduced by so (that). They are sometimes considered disjuncts; however, we are going to consider them ADJUNCTS.

Example: We put up the sunshade so that we didn’t get sunburnt.

Clauses of Manner and Comparison

This section covers two types:

• Clauses of Manner: Introduced by exactly, just, or as.

Example: Do exactly as you wish.

Clauses of Comparison: Introduced by as if or as though.

Example: I can hear you clearly, just as if you were in Madrid rather than in Tokyo.

Clauses of Proportion and Preference

This section covers two types:

• Clauses of Proportion: These express an equivalence in tendency and degree between two sets of circumstances. They are introduced by as…(so) and the…the.

Examples:

• As he grew older, (so) he became more attractive to me.
• The older he got, the more attractive I found him.

Clauses of Preference: Introduced by rather than or sooner than.

Example: Rather than reading a book, he preferred to go to the cinema.