Adverbial Clauses

In a complex sentence adverbial clauses perform the same function as an adverbial adjunct in a simple

sentence:

You may go out /where you want.

Adverbial clauses are connected with the main clause by means of subordinators – some of these have

one meaning only, so that we can immediately classify the clause as belonging to a certain type of

adverbial clause. They are not normally connected with the main clause by a zero marker (asyndetically).

Adverbial Clauses of Time

Finite Clauses of Time Express the time or duration of the action and answer such questions as when, how long, since when.

The two actions may be simultaneous, one may follow or precede the other, it may last until the other

has begun, etc.:

He whistled while he washed the car.

When he finished he went for a drive.

The most common subordinators introducing clauses of time are: when, whenever, while, as, as soon as,

as long as, till, until, since, after, before, hardly...when, no sooner... than

When

Expresses that the action of the main clause and that of the subordinate clause are either:

simultaneous: When the cat is away, the mice will play.

follow each other: I’ll ring you up when I come home.

When is sometimes homonymous:

the adversative coordinating conjunction when introducing an adversative co-ordinate clause

denoting an action that is in opposition (contras) to that of the main clause:

How on earth can you expect to pass your exam when (ko pa) you sleep until ten every day?

the co-ordinating conjunction when (and then) introducing a copulative co-ordinate clause:

I turned off the light when (and then) the baby began to cry.

the connective adverb when introducing nominal clauses:

When the murder had been committed (S) has not been established yet.

The first thing to discover is when the victim was last seen (SC).

A clause of time introduced by the conjunction when may function as a postmodifier in a nominal phras

– when the headword is a noun denoting time: the instant, the moment, the minute...

There are moments when he feels miserable.

When and that may be deleted, whereby the nouns themselves assume the function of conjunctions

introducing adverbial clauses of time:

The moment the secretary opened the parcel, the bomb exploded in her hands.

He was born the year the war started.

Some adverbs of time directly, immediately, instantly may function as conjunctions when when is

dropped:

He ran to the hospital immediately / directly /instantly he heard about his wife’s accident.

Whenever has a generalizing meaning:

Whenever we meet we stop to have a chat.

While

denotes a continuous activity – the action is:

simultaneous: While she was waiting for the train, she read a magazine.

already in progress before the action in the main clause:

While I was mowing the lawn he came up to me.

While and when are often synonymous:

While / When she was resting upstairs, the burglar broke into the basement.

Subordinating conjunction while introducting a clause of time is homonymous with:

the co-ordinating conjunction while expressing contrast

John is a small sickly child while his sister has grown a tall, strong girl. (while is always in the

second clause)

the subordinating conjunction while (though) expressing concession:

While (though) we agree with most of what he says, we cannot stand his manners.

As (medtem ko)

As normally introduces a clause in which the action is in progress – refers to past action only and

denotes:

simultaneity: His eyes glittered as he looked at his new car.

gradual development: As night came on, the wind calmed down.

action of the main clause immediately follows that of the subordinate clause:

Just as he neared the corner, a little girl jumped directly in front of the car.

As soon as (brž ko)

denotes that the actions in the subordinate and in the main clause closely follow each other:

As soon as we received your telegram, we prepared the goods for shipment.

Simultaneous with (inversion!):

no sooner … than: No sooner was the pickpocket set free than he stole the purse from an old

lady’s handbag.

hardly… when: Hardly had the book appeared when it was sold out.

As long as (dokler)

I’ll never eat oysters as long as I live.

Till, Untill (dokler ne)

denotes the concluding moment of the action expressed in the main clause; until is usually preferred

when the subordinate clause precedes the main clause:

He stood thunderstruck till the danger was past.

Until she learns to behave we won’t invite her to our parties.

Since (odkar)

denotes a point of time to which the action in the main clause is subsequent:

He has been living with the sam landlady since he entered the university.

After (potem ko)

indicates that the action of the subordinate clause precedes that of the main clause:

She went to England after she graduated.

We arrived at the theatre after the play had started.

Before (preden)

shows that the action expressed by the main clause precedes that of the subordinate clause:

He always reads an hour or so before he falls asleep.

Do it before it is too late.

Non-finite Clauses of Time Gerundial clauses of time are introduced by the subordinator on and in.

On emphasizes the idea of an immediate succession:

On arriving at the cottage, Tom found it burnt down.

In followed by the gerund, forms a temporal frame for the action expressed in the main clause:

He was mistaken in thinking she was single.

Participial clauses of time:

-ing participial clauses of time indicate an activity which is more or less simultaneous

Whistling to himself, the office-boy went out.

Entering the room, he noticed that the windows were open. (present participle expresses the

anterior of two consecutive actions)

On (upon) arriving at the station…

perfect participle – denotes the action that took place appreciably earlier:

Having travelled around Africa for nearly three years, he wrote a book about the social

conditions in that part of the world.

After travelling around Africa for nearly three years, he wrote a book about the … (more

common)

participial clauses of time introduced by when or while – if the action expressed in the non-finite

clause is simultaneous with the action expressed by the finite verb of the main clause

o When going to his office, he met his friend.

While driving home, he had an accident.

past participial clauses of time

o related participial structures

Arrived at the spot, we lost no time in getting to work.

o absolute participial structures

The letter finished, I took it to the post-office to have it registered.

Adverbial Clauses of Place indicate the place of the action and answer the question where; they are introduced by where,

wherever, anywhere.

Adverbial clauses of place introduced by where denote:

the place of the action: I found the bag where I had left it.

the direction of the action: He went where the doctor sent him.

Where introducing an adverbial clause is homonymous with the subordinator where introducing

subject, object, predicate and adjectival clauses –if where can be replaced with there it is surely

adverbial:

Stay where you are. – Stay there

Where he lives is unknown. - *There he lives is unknown.

Wherever, everywhere are used in generalizing sense:

Wherever he went he was welcome.

Adverbial clauses of place may function as object to a preposition:

I could see him very well from where I stood.

Adverbial Clauses of Reason

Finite Clauses of Cause or Reason indicate why an action was done and answer the question why; while the subordinate clause denotes

causer or reason, the main clause expresses result.

Subordinators: because, as, since, seeing that, that, now that, on the grounds that, for the reason that,

in that

Because is the most common conjunction introducing a clause of cause or reason:

The pilot had to descend because he was short of fuel.

Because the student was 20 minutes late, he didn’t dare to enter the lecture theatre.

Because is the only causal conjunction that can be used:

in answers to questions beginning with why:

Why did they call of the garden party? Because it was raining.

in cleft sentences after the emphatic it is, it was

It is because you got up so late that you missed the bus.

As, since

the emphasis is not so much on the reason as on the result expressed in the main clause:

As it was raining, we stayed indoors all day.

Since the girl was very shy too, the young couple sat in silence.

Seeing that

Seeing that his wife was not well, he postponed his journey.

That – the preceding main clause is a rhetorical question

Are you a millionaire that you spend your money so lavishly?

Now that

Now that you are well again you will have to make up for lost time.

On the grounds that

He resigned from his job on the grounds that he was in poor health.

For the simple reason that

We couldn’t go to the concert for the simple reason that we hadn’t got tickets.

In that

He is like his father in that he is fond of sailing.

Some other Ways of expressing cause or reason

1. that-clauses functioning as postmodifier to predicate adjectives denoting emotion

I am glad (that) you have changed your mind.

2. subordinate clause introduced by as, postmodifying a predicate adjective or an adverb.

Busy as he was she hardly listened to him.

3. phrasal prepositions function as conjunctions when followed by the fact that…

Owing to the fact that…

Non-finite Clauses of Cause and Reason 1. Gerundial clauses:

Owing to his careless driving he has had many accidents.

He was fined for driving too quickly through the village.

2. Participial clauses (in initial, medial or final position):

Knowing that he couldn’t go to his daughter, he tried to telephone her.

a. present participle expresses simultaneity:

Knowing French well, he translated the letter without dictionary.

b. perfect participle denotes an action which precedes the action denoted by the finite

verb:

Having missed the bus, I was late for my appointment.

c. –ing participial clauses may have the structure of:

i. related: Having plenty of time, we did not hurry.

ii. absolute participle: A storm coming on, the children fled to a shelter.

d. past participial clauses may have the structure of:

i. related: Exhausted by the games, John didn’t want to go to the party.

ii. absolute participle: The work finished, we were able to enjoy our holiday.

Adverbial Clauses of Result or Consequence

Finite Clauses of Result or Consequence Clauses of result denote the result of the action expressed in the main clause; they answer the question

With what result? and are connected with the main clause by the phrasal conjunction so that or by that:

He left after seven so that he must have caught the 8.15 train.

She must be blind that she doesn’t realize what a drunkart he is.

Some other ways of expressing result:

1. nominal phrases: such a + singular countable noun + that clause

It was such a dismal performance that I left before it was over.

2. adjectival phrases: so + adjective + that-clause

They were so tired that they couldn’t go any further.

3. adverbial phrases: so + adverb + that-clause

He has gone so far that there is no retreat for him.

Non-Finite Clauses of Result or Consequence are infinitival clauses functioning as postmodifiers in nominal adjectival or adverbial phrases:

nominal phrases

o enough + noun + infinitival clause:

We haven’t got enough money to buy a new house.

o too + adjective + an + noun + infinitival clause:

Politics is too serious a business to be played with.

o such + noun + as + infinitival clause

such + as + infinitival clause

I hope you are not such a fool as to lend him money.

adjectival phrases:

o adjective + enough + infinitival clause

I’m lucky enough to know her.

o too + adjective + infinitival clause, used as SC

Yesterday I was too tired to play tennis.

o so + adjective + as + infinitival clause

She was so lucky as to escape.

adverbial phrases:

o too + adverb + infinitival clause

She ran too slowly to win the first prize.

o adverb + enough + infinitival clause

She plays the piano well enough to perform at a concert.

Adverbial Clauses of Purpose

Finite Clauses of Purpose indicate the purpose of the action expressed in the main clause; they answer the question what for, for

what purpose; introduced by subordinators in order that, for the purpose that, so that, so as to, for fear

that, lest

I spoke louder in order that everybody might hear me.

I posted the letter immediately so that you should get it before your departure.

Non-Finite Clauses of Purpose Infinitival clauses:

She rang up her mother to ask her to dinner.

I’ll be there to help you.

I had to keep shaking my head in order to stay awake.

I’ll go there at once in order not to be late.

My parents saved money to go abroad.

My parents saved money for her to go abroad.

Gerundial clauses:

This earoplane is used for transporting goods.

A French delegation arrived in London wit the object of conducting negotiations.

Adverbial Clauses of Condition Conditional clauses state the condition that must be satisfied before the action of the main clause can

come true; they are introduced by subordinators such as: if, if only, so long as, suppose, supposing,

provided, providing, on condition, on the understanding, unless, in case…

If is the most common conditional subordinator; it may also have the meaning of:

whenever: If I make a promise, I keep it.

as, since, because: If the children haven’t eaten, they must be hungry.

If only is mostly used in exclamations:

If only I were able to pass this exam!!!

So long as often has more conditional than temporal force, nearly equivalent to if only:

Nothing matters, so long as you stick to your ideals.

Suppose that, supposing that are used to make a supposition about future or the past:

Suppose / Supposing that you told her the truth, what would she do?

Suppose / Supposing that you had told her the truth, what would she have done?

Unless is used for a negative condition and has the same meaning as if… not

You won’t catch the train unless you take a taxi.

Unless she studies harder, she won’t pass the exam.

In case introduces a possibility against which a precaution is needed in advance

You’d better take an umbrella with you in case it rains later on.

Types of Conditional Clauses 1. Conditional clauses of open condition (contain a condition that may or may not be fulfilled)

If it is fine tomorrow, we shall go out.

If you leave for London, let me know.

If my wife should ring up, tell her that I shall be home for lunch.

2. Conditional clauses of rejected condition referring to Present and / or future time represent

a. a condition that is contrary to fact:

If I were a bird, I should fly away.

b. a condition is considered possible but unlikely to be fulfilled:

May would accept him if he asked her to marry him.

3. Conditional clauses of rejected condition referring to past time

a. main clause represents a situation contrary to present fact:

If Tom had gone to college, he would be a doctor now.

b. main clause represents a situation contrary to past fact.

If tom had gone to college he would have become a doctor.

Omission of the subordinator If and inversion:

If Tom should be at home tomorrow, …

Should Tom be at home tomorrow, …

If I had known that, I shouldn’t have told her.

Had I known that, …

Adverbial Clauses of Concession

Finite Clauses of Concession denote some obstacle which does not prevent the realization of the action expressed in the main clause;

they answer the question In spite of what?; they are introduced by the following subordinators:

Although, though

Although they had done all they could, they failed to complete the project on time.

Although it was cold and rainy, we enjoyed the trip.

For all

For all your arguments you won’t convince me.

I am still very fond of him for all you say against him.

Even if

Even if you offered him a million, you still could not bribe him.

I cannot be angry with him, evern if I try.

Whether… or

Your father won’t raise any objection whether you take ony a part-time job or you stop working

altogether in order to finish your studies.

Whereas

Whereas she never openly disagrees with her husband, she never hesitates to tell him what is on

her mind when they are at home.

While (only in initial position)

While he has an expert knowledge on his subject, he cannot explain it clearly to others.

Whoever (whatever)

Whoever els lets you down, I’ll remain true.

Whatever you may do, he will always grumble.

No matter how much money he esarns, his wife is never satisfied.

Prepositional phrases expressing concession may function as conjunctions by the addition of the fact

that:

They elected him in spite of the fact that he was a foreigner.

Concession may also be expressed:

by a predicate adjective or noun, or by an adverb in initial position postmodified by a clause

introduced by as or though:

Dazed as she was, she managed to explain how the accident happened.

Quickly as she walked, he couldn’t catch up with the others.

by using the modal verb may in the first of two co-ordinate clauses joined by an adversative

conjunction or conjunct:

He may have a car but he walks to his office every morning.

He may be dissatisfied yet he vener loses his temper.

by the structure verb + as (what) + subject + may (will)

Do what I might, I could not convince him.

Non-Finite Clauses of Concession

-ing participial clauses of concession:

Although admitting his mistake, he refuses to apologize.

Even if still working, the engine is not reliable.

past participial clauses of concession:

Even though troubled by the financial situation, he never mentioned his difficulties to his wife.

Adverbial Clauses of Manner

Finite Clauses of Manner express the manner in which an action is done; they answer the question how; they are introduced by

the subordinators: as, as if, but:

As

They keep the house as it was in the poet’s lifetime.

Things turned out just as I had predicted.

As if (as though) – expresses a supposed present or past fact ; the subjunctive were or the modal

past tense or the modal past perfect is used

He spends his money as if he were rich.

She could remember it as if it were yesterday.

He had red eyes as if he had been crying.

Like

It rained like it would never stop.

But – occurs in formal style after a negative main clause:

I never pass that house but I think of the happy days we spent in it.

Non-Finite Clauses of Manner

infinitival clauses of manner are introduced by as if and as though

He sighed deeply as though to emphasize his exasperation.

gerundial clauses of manner, preceded by prepositions by, in or without

Mr. Jones raised his money by selling his wife’s jewelerry.

He spoke without thinking of the consequences.

participial clauses of manner; emphasizes the simultaneousness of the action expressed by the

participle

She came into the house, calling her husband.

Clauses of Comparison are introduced by as and than; it is typical of them that the conjunction they are introduced by has a

correlative element functioning as premodifier in the adjectival or adverbial phrase in whiche the

comparative clause functions as postmodifier – thus comparative clauses do not function as sentence

elements, but on a lower lever, i.e as phrase elements

As

o She was as friendly as she had ever been (postmodifier in adj. phrase)

o His brothers work as hard as he does (postmodifier in adv. phrase)

Than

o This metal is heavier than you may imagine.(postmodifier in adj. phrase)

o This is a heavier metal than you may imagine. (postmodifier in nominal phrase)

o She loves him more that he deserves. (postmodifier in adv. phrase)

Elliptical structures may often occur in clauses of comparison:

in connection with be the subject it is omitted:

He drives much faster than is safe.

the predicator only may be omitted:

Our garage is not as big as yours (is).

in some cases the subject and the predicator are omitted:

She is not so reserved as when I first met her. (as she was)

Clauses of comparison are strongly related in meaning toclauses of proportion introduced by the…the

denoting a correlative increase or decrease:

The less you see those people the better it will be for you.

The more he has the more he wants.