Page 203 - English Grammar - IX-X

Adverb Clause

An adverb clause is a subordinate clause that does the work of an adverb in a sentence. It
modifies the meaning of a verb, and it tells something about the action indicated by another
clause. It answers the questions when, where, why, and how in relation to the verb.

For example:
• Many children remain physically weak because they suffer from malnutrition.
• You should visit your relatives before you leave town.

An adverb clause is usually introduced by the following:
Time — after, before, since, as, when, while, until, till, as soon as, whenever

Example: We must reach before the function starts.
Place — where, wherever

Example: Keep your valuables where they will be safe.

Manner — as, as though, as if
Example: He was walking as if he was in a hurry.
Cause or Reason — because, since, so that, as

Example: The little boy was crying because he had broken his favourite toy.

Condition — if, unless, until, provided that, in case
Example: You may be forgiven if you tell the truth.

Result — that, such…that, so…that
Example: Close every day with introspection so that you may be able to make the
following day purposeful.

Purpose — so that, that, in order that, lest
Example: Note down my email address lest you should forget it.

Contrast — although, though, while, even if, even though, although, while
Example: I was reading a book while my sister was watching television.

Comparison — as…as, than, so…as
Example: The daughter is as pretty as her mother.

IDENTIFYING
IDENTIFYING NOUN, ADJECTIVE, AND ADVERB CLAUSESNOUN, ADJECTIVE, AND ADVERB CLAUSES
We should not judge a clause by the word introducing it. It is important to understand its
function in a sentence before identifying whether it is a noun, an adjective, or an adverb clause.

201