SOME USEFUL ADVERB CLAUSE

DEVICES

Lesson 29

By Joseph C. Blumenthal

You are familiar with adverb clauses that begin with if and answer the question, “On what condition?”

If I had taken more time, I could have done better.

The verb in the clause consists of the two words ___ ______.

You are familiar with adverb clauses that begin with if and answer the question, “On what condition?”

If I had taken more time, I could have done better.

The verb in the clause consists of the two words had taken.

The “if” idea can also be expressed without using the clause signal if at all.

Had I taken more time, I could have done better.

We recognize this as a clause only because of its unusual word order. The subject I, instead of coming first, comes between the two parts of the ______.

The “if” idea can also be expressed without using the clause signal if at all.

Had I taken more time, I could have done better.

We recognize this as a clause only because of its unusual word order. The subject I, instead of coming first, comes between the two parts of the verb.

a. I had taken more time.b. Had I taken more time.

Do both word groups contain exactly the same words? (yes, no)

a. I had taken more time.b. Had I taken more time.

Do both word groups contain exactly the same words? (yes, no)

a. I had taken more time.b. Had I taken more time.

Which word group by its unusual word order tells you that it is not a sentence but a clause?

a. I had taken more time.b. Had I taken more time.

Which word group by its unusual word order tells you that it is not a sentence but a clause?

a. If I had taken more time, I could have done better.

b. Had I taken more time, I could have done better

The word order of the clause in sentence b—just like the clause signal __ in sentence a—tells us that the word group is an adverb clause.

a. If I had taken more time, I could have done better.

b. Had I taken more time, I could have done better

The word order of the clause in sentence b—just like the clause signal If in sentence a—tells us that the word group is an adverb clause.

a. If I had taken more time, I could have done better.

b. Had I taken more time, I could have done better

The adverb clause in sentence b is not better or worse than the adverb clause in sentence a. It enables you, however, to add greater (clearness, variety) to your sentences.

a. If I had taken more time, I could have done better.

b. Had I taken more time, I could have done better

The adverb clause in sentence b is not better or worse than the adverb clause in sentence a. It enables you, however, to add greater (clearness, variety) to your sentences.

If you should hear of a job, let me know.

Eliminate the If in this clause by putting the subject between the two parts of the verb should hear.

____________ of a job, let me know.

If you should hear of a job, let me know.

Eliminate the If in this clause by putting the subject between the two parts of the verb should hear.

Should you hear of a job, let me know.

If I were in your place, I should do the same thing.

The verb in the adverb clause is ____.

If I were in your place, I should do the same thing.

The verb in the adverb clause is were.

a. If I were in your place…

b. Were I in your place,…

The verb in clause a consists of one word—were.

To eliminate the If in clause a, put the verb (before, after) the subject I.

a. If I were in your place…

b. Were I in your place,…

The verb in clause a consists of one word—were.

To eliminate the If in clause a, put the verb (before, after) the subject I.

a. If I were in your place, I should do the same thing.

b. Were I in your place, I should do the same thing.

The unusual word order of the clause in sentence b serves the same purpose as the clausal signal __ in sentence a

a. If I were in your place, I should do the same thing.

b. Were I in your place, I should do the same thing.

The unusual word order of the clause in sentence b serves the same purpose as the clausal signal If in sentence a

Write the following answers on your own sheet of paper.

1. I should have written Alva ______________.

In this and the following frames, eliminate the if in each italicized adverb clause by changing the word order of the clause:

I should have written Alva if I had known her address.

2. _______________, he would win hands down.

In this and the following frames, eliminate the if in each italicized adverb clause by changing the word order of the clause:

If Stover were willing to run, he would win hands down.

3. I’ll let you know _______________.

In this and the following frames, eliminate the if in each italicized adverb clause by changing the word order of the clause:

I’ll let you know if I should change my mind.

4. _____________ camping would be fun.

In this and the following frames, eliminate the if in each italicized adverb clause by changing the word order of the clause:

If it were not for the mosquitoes, camping would be fun.

5. We should have started earlier ____________.

In this and the following frames, eliminate the if in each italicized adverb clause by changing the word order of the clause:

We should have started earlier if we had known the distance.

Go ahead and put your pencil down for awhile now.

In which sentence does the condition expressed by the clause seem more emphatic and final?

The adverb once can sometimes be used as an adverb clause signal in place of if, when, after, or as soon as.

a. If you break the seal, you can’t return the film.

b. Once you break the seal, you can’t return the film.

In which sentence does the condition expressed by the clause seem more emphatic and final?

The adverb once can sometimes be used as an adverb clause signal in place of if, when, after, or as soon as.

a. If you break the seal, you can’t return the film.

b. Once you break the seal, you can’t return the film.

Which clause signal makes the clause more emphatic:

(Once, If) you feed a stray cat, you can’t get rid of it.

Which clause signal makes the clause more emphatic:

(Once, If) you feed a stray cat, you can’t get rid of it.

Make this sentence more emphatic by using a “once” clause:

After my tests are over, I shall have more time.

__________________, I shall have more time.

Make this sentence more emphatic by using a “once” clause:

After my tests are over, I shall have more time.

Once my tests are over, I shall have more time.

Subordinate the italicized statement by changing it to a “once” clause:

You sign the contract, and you can’t change your mind.

_______________, you can’t change your mind.

Subordinate the italicized statement by changing it to a “once” clause:

You sign the contract, and you can’t change your mind.

Once you sign the contract, you can’t change your mind.

Subordinate the italicized statement by changing it to a “once” clause:

A false idea gets into circulation, and it is difficult to uproot it.

____________________________, it is difficult to uproot it.

Subordinate the italicized statement by changing it to a “once” clause:

A false idea gets into circulation, and it is difficult to uproot it.

Once a false idea gets into circulation, it is difficult to uproot it.

Another more unusual type of adverb clause begins with now that. These words, similar in meaning to because, are useful in sentences stating cause and effect.

a. Because you are eighteen, you can vote.

b. Now that you are eighteen, you can vote. Which sentence suggests that the

cause is recent?

Another more unusual type of adverb clause begins with now that. These words, similar in meaning to because, are useful in sentences stating cause and effect.

a. Because you are eighteen, you can vote.

b. Now that you are eighteen, you can vote. Which sentence suggests that the

cause is recent?

a. Because Dale has a job, he takes more interest in his appearance.

b. Now that Dale has a job, he takes more interest in his appearance.

Which sentence suggests that Dale’s job is something recent?

a. Because Dale has a job, he takes more interest in his appearance.

b. Now that Dale has a job, he takes more interest in his appearance.

Which sentence suggests that Dale’s job is something recent?

Write the following answers on your own sheet of paper.

Christmas is over, and life can return to normal.

6.________________, life can return to normal.

In this and the following frames, subordinate the italicized statement by changing it to a “now that” clause:

Summer is here, and people are planning their vacations.

7.________________, people are planning their vacations.

In this and the following frames, subordinate the italicized statement by changing it to a “now that” clause:

We have spent all our money, and we might as well go home.

8.________________, we might as well go home.

In this and the following frames, subordinate the italicized statement by changing it to a “now that” clause:

Mrs. Bilby has explained the problem, and it seems very simple.

9.________________, it seems very simple.

In this and the following frames, subordinate the italicized statement by changing it to a “now that” clause:

We have moved to the city, and we miss our farm very much.

10.________________, we miss our farm very much.

In this and the following frames, subordinate the italicized statement by changing it to a “now that” clause:

Go ahead and put your pencil down for awhile now.

Cheap as it is, the car is no bargain.

Another unusual type of adverb clause can sometimes be used very effectively in place of an “although” clause.

This adverb clause is unusual because instead of beginning with a clause, it begins with (a verb, an adjective).

Cheap as it is, the car is no bargain.

Another unusual type of adverb clause can sometimes be used very effectively in place of an “although” clause.

This adverb clause is unusual because instead of beginning with a clause, it begins with (a verb, an adjective).

a. although it is cheap

b. cheap as it isIn which clause is the subject

complement cheap not in its normal position?

a. although it is cheap

b. cheap as it isIn which clause is the subject

complement cheap not in its normal position?

a. although it is cheap

b. cheap as it isIn which clause does the adjective

cheap occupy a more prominent position?

a. although it is cheap

b. cheap as it isIn which clause does the adjective

cheap occupy a more prominent position?

a. Although it is cheap, the car is no bargain.

b. Cheap as it is, the car is no bargain.In which clause does the clause

give more emphasis to the cheapness of the price?

a. Although it is cheap, the car is no bargain.

b. Cheap as it is, the car is no bargain.In which clause does the clause

give more emphasis to the cheapness of the price?

a. Although we came early, we got poor seats.

b. Early as we came, we got poor seats.

In which sentence does the clause give more emphasis to the adverb early?

Sometimes this type of clause begins with an adverb shifted from its usual position at the end of the sentence.

a. Although we came early, we got poor seats.

b. Early as we came, we got poor seats.

In which sentence does the clause give more emphasis to the adverb early?

Sometimes this type of clause begins with an adverb shifted from its usual position at the end of the sentence.

Write the following answers on your own sheet of paper.

Although I replied courteously, Don took offense.

11._____________________, Don took offense.

In this and the following frames, make each “although” clause more emphatic by beginning it with an adjective or an adverb, always followed by the word as.

I had to finish my essay, although it was late.

12. I had to finish my essay, _____________________.

In this and the following frames, make each “although” clause more emphatic by beginning it with an adjective or an adverb, always followed by the word as.

Although we tried hard, we couldn’t make a touchdown.

13. ____________________, we couldn’t make a touchdown.

In this and the following frames, make each “although” clause more emphatic by beginning it with an adjective or an adverb, always followed by the word as.

Webb is able, but he is not able enough for this job.

14. ____________________, he is not able enough for this job.

In the remaining frames, subordinate each italicized statement by changing it to an adverb clause beginning with an adjective or an adverb.

Mr. Gross was angry, but he didn’t show his temper.

15. ____________________, he didn’t show his temper.

In the remaining frames, subordinate each italicized statement by changing it to an adverb clause beginning with an adjective or an adverb.

The material cost of war is great, but the human cost is infinitely greater.

16. ____________________ the human cost is infinitely greater.

In the remaining frames, subordinate each italicized statement by changing it to an adverb clause beginning with an adjective or an adverb.

You are done!!!