Adverb Clauses

Dance Lessons

7

Focus on Grammar 5Part VII, Unit 18By Ruth Luman, Gabriele Steiner, and BJ WellsCopyright © 2006. Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Never feel like a stiff penguin on the dance floor again…

… or worse, like a clumsy monster.

We will teach you all the slick moves of tangotango and many other dances. When you start dancing, your life will change forever!

Yes, you can dance!

We’re getting swing dance lessons because we want to look good on the dance floor!

I’m going to get swing dance lessons when I’m big.

Adverb Clauses 1

Adverb clauses are dependent clauses. They answer the questions how, when, where, or why.

Adverb Clauses 2Adverb clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions (also called subordinating adverbs).

because

although

if when

while

only if

Examples

Since dancing is a great way to relieve stress we’re signing up for dance lessons.

Adverb Clauses 3A comma is necessary only if an adverb clause precedes a main clause. Adverb clauses may precede or follow a main clause.

No comma

Comma ,,

We’re signing up for dance lessons since dancing is a great way to relieve stress.

Be Careful!In future time clauses, use will and be going to in the main clause but not in the dependent clause.

Future

Present

They are going to get tango lessons because they want to stand out on the dance floor!

He gets more enjoyment out of his social life.

I plan to take dance lessons because I want to have more fun in my life.

Because I want to have more fun in my life I plan to take dance lessons.

I plan to take dance lessons.

They are going to feel at ease dancing when they overcome their shyness.

When they overcome their shyness they are going to feel at ease dancing.

He will be a happier person if he gets more enjoyment out of his social life.

If he gets more enjoyment out of his social life he will be a happier person.

because

He will be a happier person.

I want to have more fun in my life.

Form sentences with main clauses preceding and following the adverb clauses.

Example:

if

They are going to feel at ease dancing.They are going to overcome their shyness.

when

Practice 1

,,

,,

1.

,,

2.

As soon as you start dancing salsa, you burn about 10 calories a minute.

You won’t stop dancing once you feel at ease with the tango steps.

Adverb Clauses of TimeAdverb clauses of time answer the question when. Subordinating conjunctions include: as soon as, once.

As soon as and once express the idea that when one event happens, another event happens too.

Wherever there is a dance party, there is an opportunity to meet new people.

Adverb Clauses of PlaceAdverb clauses of place answer the question where. Subordinating conjunctions include: where, wherever.

I look for parties where I can dance and meet new people.

Since I need more exercise, I signed up for a ballet class.

I love to dance because dancing is great exercise.

Adverb Clauses of ReasonAdverb clauses of reason answer the question why. Subordinating conjunctions include: because, since.

Adverb Clauses of Condition 1Adverb clauses of condition answer the question under what condition. Subordinating conjunctions include: if, unless.

We won’t enjoy parties if we don’t become better dancers.

We won’t enjoy parties unless we become better dancers.

Unless here means “if we don’t.”

Adverb Clauses of Condition 2Other subordinating conjunctions include: even if and only if.

Only if means that only one condition will produce the result.

Even if means that the

condition doesn’t matter;

the result will be

the same

We’ll have fun at the party even if we don’t get to dance.

We’ll have fun at the party only if we get to dance.

Robert signed them up for waltz lessons even though Rhonda wanted to learn salsa.

Whereas Rhonda prefers salsa, Robert prefers the waltz.

Adverb Clauses of ContrastAdverb clauses of contrast point out two opposing ideas. Subordinating conjunctions include: although, even if, even though, though, whereas, while.

She is taking a dance class. She wants to meet new friends.

I began dancing last year. I feel happier and healthier.Since I began dancing last year, I feel happier and healthier.

You include warm-up exercises. Dancing won’t hurt you. If you include warm-up exercises, dancing won’t hurt you.

He takes ballroom dance every semester. He isn’t a happy person.Unless he takes ballroom dance every semester, he isn’t a happy person.

She is taking a dance class because she wants to meet new friends.

Example:

Dance will help you to be healthier. Most people associate dance only with loud parties.

since

once

unless

because

even though

if

Dance will help you to be healthier, even though most people associate dance only with loud parties.

Combine the sentences with the correct conjunctions.Practice 2

1.

2.

3.

4.

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Education and its licensors. All rights reserved.

References