Adverbial clauses enhance incomplete sentences by expressing time, reason, or contrast, yet many learners struggle with them. This guide clearly explains each type of adverbial clause in English, complete with examples and exercises.
1. What Is an Adverbial Clause?
An adverbial clause functions like an adverb within a sentence, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other clauses. As subordinate clauses, they cannot stand alone and often begin with conjunctions.
Examples:
When my father comes back home, he will buy a new bicycle for me.
Despite my good intentions, the interaction went terribly wrong.
My son told me another fight broke out where he eats lunch at school.
2. Placement of Adverbial Clauses
Adverbial clauses can appear in various positions, depending on what they modify:
A. Modifying a verb
Example: He was robbed in a dark alley before he got home. ↔ Before he got home, he was robbed in a dark alley.
B. Modifying an adjective or adverb
Adverbial clauses placed right after the modifier. Examples: We felt time was very slow because we were sitting idly. Shauna is tired because she didn’t sleep well.
C. Reduced adverbial clauses
Clauses may be shortened like participle phrases when context allows. Examples: As he is a teacher → Being a teacher, he is responsible. While she was talking → While talking, she typed nonstop.
3. Types of Adverbial Clauses & Conjunctions
A. Time
Conjunctions: once, as soon as, after, while, until, no sooner than, hardly when
Example: No sooner had I got in than the phone rang.
B. Place
Conjunctions: where, anywhere, wherever, everywhere
Example: Children will play wherever they happen to be.
C. Reason
Conjunctions: since, as, because, now that, due to the fact that
Example: Because he missed the bus, he was late.
D. Purpose
Conjunctions: so that, in order that, in case, for fear that
Example: She spoke slowly in order that he should understand.
E. Concession
Conjunctions: although, even though, while, whereas, nevertheless, in spite of
Example: Although he is talented, he didn’t get accepted.
F. Manner
Conjunctions: as, as if, as though
Example: It looks as if you've bungled again.
4. Special Cases & Reductions
With "to be" verbs: Omit subject and be
Example: Although being in a hurry, they still helped.
Actions before main clause: Use perfect participle
Example: After going to school, she stopped by a café.
Reason clauses with participle
Example: Not wanting to do homework, he pretended to sleep.
Shared subject clauses can be reduced
Active: Meeting her, I realized she’s an old friend. Passive: Called a liar, she became upset.
5. Practice Exercises
Exercise A: Rewrite using adverbial clauses
Although receiving rave reviews, it failed to impress me due to its slow pacing.
When stressed, I find it difficult to focus.
Missing the bus, he was late to his meeting.
Even though a talented musician, he wasn’t accepted.
Feeling sick, I stayed home instead of going out.
On finishing my work, I’ll join you for lunch.
Exercise B: Choose the correct option
It was such a nice day that I went to the lake. (B)
I was so tired that I did not hear the phone. (C)
It’s surprising how such an important person is treated. (D)
We spent so much money. (A)
They are such interesting people. (D)
Yes, so much that I bought their record. (B)
She always wears such lovely clothes. (C)
He is so good that he will get a raise. (C)
Master Adverbial Clauses for IELTS Success
Understanding Adverbial Clauses is essential for improving IELTS Writing and Speaking scores. This guide equips you with key grammar points, clear examples, and practical exercises.
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