Adverbial clauses are one of the most powerful tools in English grammar. They help us add depth, clarity, and detail to our writing by answering important questions such as when, why, how, and under what conditions something happens. Understanding and using adverbial clauses can transform basic sentences into vivid, nuanced expressions.
What Is an Adverbial Clause?
An adverbial clause is a group of words that acts as an adverb. It modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb in the main clause by providing additional information. Unlike simple adverbs, adverbial clauses are dependent clauses — they cannot stand alone as complete sentences.
Examples:
- I stayed home because I was sick.
- When the rain stopped, we went outside.
- She speaks as if she knows everything.
Each of these bolded clauses provides information about why, when, or how something occurred.
Structure of Adverbial Clauses
An adverbial clause usually begins with a subordinating conjunction such as:
- Time: when, while, before, after, as soon as
- Cause and effect: because, since, as
- Contrast: although, though, even though
- Condition: if, unless, provided that
- Manner: as, as if, as though
- Purpose: so that, in order that
The clause contains a subject and a verb, and it attaches to an independent (main) clause to complete the meaning.
Example:
- If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
Types of Adverbial Clauses
Adverbial Clauses of Time
These clauses tell us when something happens.
Common conjunctions: when, before, after, while, until, as soon as
Example:
- Call me when you arrive.
Adverbial Clauses of Cause and Effect
These explain why something happens.
Common conjunctions: because, since, as
Example:
- She left early because she wasn’t feeling well.
Adverbial Clauses of Contrast (Concession)
These show a contrast between two ideas.
Common conjunctions: although, though, even though, whereas, while
Example:
- Although it was cold, they went swimming.
Adverbial Clauses of Condition
These describe conditions under which something will happen.
Common conjunctions: if, unless, provided that, in case
Example:
- Unless we hurry, we’ll miss the train.
Adverbial Clauses of Manner
These explain how something is done.
Common conjunctions: as, as if, as though
Example:
- He talks as if he owns the place.
Adverbial Clauses of Purpose
These indicate the reason something is done.
Common conjunctions: so that, in order that
Example:
- She studies hard so that she can get a scholarship.
Punctuation Rules
- When the adverbial clause comes at the beginning of a sentence, use a comma to separate it from the main clause.
Example: After the meeting ended, everyone went home. - When the adverbial clause comes after the main clause, a comma is usually not needed.
Example: Everyone went home after the meeting ended.
Common Mistakes and Tips
Using Fragments
Avoid writing adverbial clauses as standalone sentences.
Incorrect:
Because I was tired.
Correct:
I went to bed early because I was tired.
Choosing the Right Conjunction
Different subordinating conjunctions have specific meanings. Make sure you’re not using “because” when you mean “although,” for example.
Varying Sentence Structure
To make your writing more engaging, vary the position of your adverbial clauses.
Example:
- Although it was late, they continued working.
- They continued working although it was late.
Why Learn Adverbial Clauses?
Adverbial clauses allow for greater precision and expression. They help your writing sound more natural, more complex, and more connected. Whether you’re writing essays, stories, or emails, mastering these clauses can make a noticeable difference.
Final Thoughts
Adverbial clauses might seem tricky at first, but with practice, they become second nature. Start by identifying them in reading materials and try incorporating them into your own writing. Over time, you’ll find that they add not just clarity but also elegance to your language.
Challenge: Try writing three sentences using different types of adverbial clauses. Then, rewrite them with the clauses in different positions. Observe how the meaning or rhythm of the sentence changes. That’s the beauty and flexibility of adverbial clauses.