Grammar for Everyone - Barbara Dykes 2007
Adverbial clauses
Introduction
Part II The parts of speech
There are more kinds of adverbial clauses than there are adverbial phrases, as their construction enables us to convey a greater variety of meaning. Although the kinds of clauses can often be recognised by the conjunction, such as if or because, used to join it to the rest of the sentence, this can be misleading and should not be relied on. Instead, we classify them by asking ourselves what kind of information the clause is intended to convey - what messages does the person being addressed get from the information?
By substituting the following suggested phrases, you can determine the type of adverbial clause being used.
Clause type
Time
Place
Reason Manner Condition
Result Purpose Concession Comparison
Phrase
at the time that
at the place that
because/for the reason that
in the way that
on the condition that
as a result
in order that
in spite of the fact that
(more) than
The word ’as’ can make things tricky as it may introduce any of the following clauses:
• My uncle arrived home as we were putting the tools away. [adverbial clause of time]
• We were tired as we had worked hard all afternoon. [adverbial clause of reason]
• The shed was as clean as a whistle. [adverbial clause of comparison]
• Uncle Andy laid tea on the patio as he had been shown.
[adverbial clause of manner]
Below are examples of each kind of adverbial clause that can be used for both instruction and exercise. It is wise to teach only two or three kinds at a time, to avoid confusion.