Adverb (Adverbial) Clause Definition and Examples

Adverb (Adverbial) Clause Definition and Examples In English grammar, an adverb clause is a  dependent clause used as an adverb within a sentence to indicate time, place, condition, contrast, concession, reason, purpose, or result. Also known as an  adverbial clause. An adverb clause begins with a subordinating conjunction (such as if, when, because, or although) and usually includes a subject and a predicate. Writing With Adverb Clauses Building Sentences With Adverb ClausesPractice in Arranging and Punctuating Adverb ClausesPractice in Building and Combining Sentences with Adverb Clauses Examples and Observations The name adverbial suggests that adverbial clauses modify verbs; but they modify whole clauses, as shown by the examples [below]. Their other key property is that they are adjuncts, since they are typically optional constituents in sentences. They are traditionally classified according to their meaning, for example adverbial clauses of reason, time, concession, manner or condition, as illustrated below.(a) ReasonBecause Marianne loved Willoughby, she refused to believe that he had deserted her.(b) TimeWhen Fanny returned, she found Tom Bertram very ill.(c) ConcessionAlthough Mr DArcy disliked Mrs Bennet he married Elizabeth.(d) MannerHenry changed his plans as the mood took him.(e) ConditionIf Emma had left Hartfield, Mr Woodhouse would have been unhappy.(Jim Miller, An Introduction to English Syntax. Edinburgh University Press, 2002)This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend.(newspaper editor to Senator Ransom Stoddart in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, 1962) All human beings should try to learn before they die what they are running from, and to, and why.(attributed to James Thurber)If Wilbur is killed and his trough stands empty day after day, youll grow so thin we can look right through your stomach and see objects on the other side.(E.B. White, Charlottes Web. Harper Row, 1952)Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it.(Helen Keller, Optimism: An Essay, 1903)The greatest thrill in the world is to end the game with a home run and watch everybody else walk off the field while youre running the bases on air.(Al Rosen, third-baseman for the Cleveland Indians, 1947-1956)Again at eight o’clock, when the dark lanes of the Forties were five deep with throbbing taxi cabs, bound for the theatre district, I felt a sinking in my heart. Forms leaned together in the taxis as they waited, and voices sang, and there was laughter from unheard jokes, and lighted cigarettes outlined unintelligible gestures in side.(F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby, 1925) The swift December dusk had come tumbling clownishly after its dull day, and, as he stared through the dull square of the window of the schoolroom, he felt his belly crave for its food.(James Joyce, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, 1916)Though we thumped, wept, and chanted We want Ted for minutes after he hid in the dugout, he did not come back.(John Updike, Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu, 1960)As I ate the oysters with their strong taste of the sea and their faint metallic taste that the cold white wine washed away, leaving only the sea taste and the succulent texture, and as I drank their cold liquid from each shell and washed it down with the crisp taste of the wine, I lost the empty feeling and began to be happy and to make plans.(Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast, 1964)When I was coming up, I practiced all the time because I thought if I didnt I couldnt do my best.(Attributed to Herbie Hancock)And when the broken hearted peopleLiving in the world agree,There will be an answer, let it be.For though they may be parted there isStill a chance that they will seeThere will be an answer, let it be.(John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Let It Be) According to legend, when Lady Godiva pleaded with her husband, the Earl of Mercia, to cancel a burdensome tax he had levied against his subjects, he agreed to do so only if she rode naked through the city.(Jim Hargan, The City of Lady Godiva. British Heritage, January 2001)Experience is what you get when you didnt get what you wanted.(Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture, 2008) The Lighter Side of Adverbial Clauses I drank some boiling water because I wanted to whistle. (Mitch Hedberg)I generally avoid temptation unless I cant resist it. (Mae West, My Little Chickadee, 1940)If I ever opened a trampoline store, I dont think Id call it Trampo-Land, because you might think it was a store for tramps, which is not the impression we are trying to convey with our store. (Jack Handey, Deep Thoughts, 1992)