Adverbial clauses

Adverbial clauses are dependent clauses that use as an adverb within a sentence to indicate time, place, condition, contrast, concession, reason, purpose or result. They can occur in an initial or final position.

Time

They answer the question When?

Past reference is used to say when something happened in the past, we use or conjunctions like when, after, as, as soon as, before, by the time (that), once, since, until/till, while.

When we visited London, we went to the Tower. Buy the tickets as soon as you reach the station.

When the time clause refers to the future, we normally use the present simple after: after, as soon as, before, by the time, directly, immediately, the moment, till, until and when.

The Owens will move to a new flat when their baby is born. (Not *will be born*)

Place

To say where something happens or happened, and to answer the question Where? we use conjunctions like where, wherever, anywhere and everywhere.

That dog follows me wherever I go. You can't camp where/wherever you like these days.

Cause and reason

They answer the question Why? and are introduced by conjunctions because, as, seeing (that) and since.

We often begin sentences with as and since. (As/since it’s a public holiday, you won’t find many shops open.) We often use because in the second half of a sentence. (Jim’s trying to find a place of his own because he wants to feel independent.) We can always use because in place of as, since and for but we cannot always use as, since and for in place of because. (As/Because/Since there was very little support, the strike was not successful.)

Purpose (final clause)

They answer the question What for? For what purpose? and can be introduced by conjunctions: so that, in order (that), in case, lest and for fear (that).  

(I spent a year in Germany in order that (so that) I might learn German.) Note that it is easier to use the to-infinitive instead of so that and in order that. (I spent a year in Germany to learn German.)

In case means ‘to be on the safe side’ and refers to the future. We use the simple present or should after in case. (Take an umbrella with you in case it rains.)

In the purpose clause the modal auxiliaries should, could, might or would are used: I arrived early so that/in order that I should/could/might/would get a good view of the procession.

Result of consequence

These clauses describe consequences.

1. so + adjective (that)

We were tired. We went to bed. – We were so tired (that) we went to bed.

His reactions are so quick that no one can match him.

2. such + noun (that)

He’s a fool. He believes anything. – He’s such a fool (that) he believe anything.

He is such a marvellous joker that you can’t help laughing.

Concession

These type is used to connect two statements, one of which contrasts with the other or makes it seem surprising. Common conjunctions: although, though, while, whereas, even if, much as.

I used to read a lot although I don't get much time for books now. Although he hadn’t eaten for days, he (nevertheless) looked very fit.

Conditional-concessive clauses state the dependence of one circumstance on another. Clauses of condition are introduced by if (positive condition) and unless (negative condition).

If you treat her kindly, (then) she’ll do anything for you. He must be lying if he told you that. Unless the strike has been called off, there will be no trains tomorrow.

Clauses of manner

These clauses answer the question How? and are introduced by the conjunctions (just) as, (exactly) as. Adverbial clauses of manner normally come after the main clause:

Please do it (exactly) as I instructed. (‘in the way that...’)

Type this again as I showed you a moment ago. (‘in the way I showed you’)