Section outline

  • An Adverb clause is a clause that performs the function of an adverb.

    Features:

    1. It describes or tells more about the verb, adjective or adverb in the sentence.
    2. It can be placed before or after the main clause.
    3. If it is used in the beginning, use a comma (,).
    4. It connects with the main clause with an subordinating conjunction.

    Example:

    We stayed indoors because it was raining.

    Here,

    1. 'We stayed indoors' is the independent clause.
    2. 'because it was raining' is the dependent adverb clause.
    3. It tells us more about 'why we stayed'.
    4. It is joined with the main clause by conjunction 'because'.

    Let's see the various types of adverb clauses.

    • Adverb clauses are of following types:

      1.  Adverb clause of time:

      Features:

      1. It shows the time of action.
      2. It is introduced by conjunctions like: 'when, while, before, after, since, whenever, as, as soon as, until'. 
      3. It answers the question 'when'.

      Examples:

      • After it stopped raining, the match started.
      • I’ll call you as soon as I finish my work.
      • We will start eating when she arrives.
      2.  Adverb clause of place:

      Features:

      1. It shows the place of action.
      2. It is introduced by conjunctions like: 'where, wherever, everywhere'.
      3. It answers the question 'where'.

      Examples:

      • You can sit wherever you like.
      • The cat follows him everywhere he goes.
      • The children played where there was plenty of shade.
      3.  Adverb clause of manner:

      Features:

      1. It shows the manner of action.
      2. It is introduced by conjunctions like: 'as, as if, as though, so as'.
      3. It answers the question 'how'.

      Examples:

      • She danced as though no one was watching.
      • The plan worked out as they had hoped.
      • The child behaves as if he knows everything.
      4.  Adverb clause of reason:

      Features:

      1. It shows the reason of action.
      2. It is introduced by conjunctions like: 'because, since, as, so that.'.
      3. It answers the question 'why'.

      Examples:

      • She stayed home because she wasn’t feeling well.
      • We left early so that we could catch the train.
      • Since the store was closed, we went to a different one.