Intermediate English Grammar

“Summarize chapter 17: Adverb clause”

Name: Arga Syafutra

Student Register Number: 193010201003
Class: A
 What is Adverb Clause?

Adverb clauses, also known as adverbial clauses, are

dependent clauses that function as adverbs. Since they are
dependent clauses, they must have a subordinating
conjunction to connect them to the rest of the sentence.

Being able to spot a subordinating conjunction will help you

recognize an adverb clause. Below are some examples, which
are grouped by what type of adverb question they answer
(when, how, why ,where)
A. Introduction
Adverb clauses are used to show relationships between ideas. They show relationships of time, cause
and effect, contrast, and condition.
adverb clause main clause
(a) When the phone rang, the baby woke up
(b) The baby woke up when the phone rang.
In (a) and (b): when the phone rang is an
adverb clause of time. Examples (a) and (b) have
the same meaning.
punctuation :
When an adverb clause precedes a main clause,
as in (a), a comma is used to separate the
clauses. When the adverb clause follows, as in
(b), usually no comma is used.

(c) Because he was sleepy, he went to bed.
(d) He went to bed because he was sleepy.
(e) Incorrect punctuation :
When we were in New York. We saw several plays.
( f ) Incorrect punctuation :
He went to bed. Because he was sleepy.
In (c) and (d), because introduces an adverb clause
that shows a cause-and-effect relationship.
Adverb clauses are dependent clauses. They
cannot stand alone as a sentence in written
English. They must be connected to a main (or
independent) clause.*

Summary list of words used to introduce adverb clauses**

TIME CAUSE AND EFFECT CONTRAST CONDITION
after since every time (that) because even though if
before until the first time (that) now that although unless
when by the time (that) the last time (that) since though only if
while once every time (that) the next time (that) whether or not
as as/so long as DIRECT CONTRAST even if
as soon as whenever while in case
*See Chart 13 -1 , p. 270 , for the definition o f dependent and independent clauses.
**Words that introduce adverb clauses are called “subordinating conjunctions.”

Example:
1. While Bright cooks in kitchen, Win still sleeps in bedroom.
2. When I was in Seoul, I bought a lot of K-Pop merchandise.
3. If Sarawat come to my house, we will cook together.

Explanation:
1. While Bright cooks in kitchen, Win still sleeps in bedroom.
In this clause use “direct contract”, so this clause use simple present.
B. Using Adverb Clauses to Show Time Relationships
after* ( a ) After she graduates, she will get a
job.
( b ) After she (had) graduated, she got a
job.
A present tense, not a future tense, is
used in an adverb clause of time, as in (a)
and (c)
(See Chart 4-3, p. 67, for tense usage in
future time clauses.)

before* ( c ) I will leave before he comes.

( d ) I (had) left before he came.

when ( e ) When I arrived, he was talking on the When = at the time

phone. Notice the different time relationships
( f ) When I got there, he had already left. expressed by the tenses.
( g ) When it began to rain, I stood under
a tree.
(h ) When I was in Chicago, I visited the
museums.
( i ) When I see him tomorrow. I will ask
him.

while ( j ) While I was walking home, it began while, as = during that time
as to rain.
( k ) As I was walking home, it began to
rain.

by the time ( i ) By the time he arrived, we had by the time = one event is completed
already left. before another event
(m) By the time he comes, we will have Notice the use of the past perfect and
already left. future perfect in the main clause.

since ( n ) I haven't seen him since he left this since = from that time to the present
morning. In (o): ever adds emphasis.
( o ) I’ve known her ever since I was a note : The present perfect is used in the
child. main clause.
until ( p ) We stayed there until we finished our until, till = to that time and then no
till work. longer
( q ) We stayed there till we finished our (Till is used more in speaking than in
work. writing; it is generally not used in formal
English.)

as soon as ( r ) As soon as it stops raining, we will as soon as, once = when one event
once leave. happens, another event happens soon
( s ) Once it stops raining, we will leave. afterward

as long as ( t ) I will never speak to him again as as long as, so long as = during all that
so long as long as I live. time, from beginning to end
( u ) I will never speak to him again so
long as I live.

whenever ( v ) Whenever I see her. I say hello, whenever = every time

every time (w) Every time I see her, I say hello.

the first time ( x ) The first time (that) I went to New Adverb clause can be introduced by:
the last time York, I went to an opera. first
the next time ( y ) I saw two plays the last time (that) I second
went to New York. the third, etc. time (that)
( z ) The next time (that) I go to New last
York, I’m going to see a ballet. next
etc.

* After and before are commonly used in the following expressions :

shortly after shortly before
a short time after a short time before
a little while after a little while before
not long after not long before soon after
Example:
1. After I finish my task, I will watch Thai movie.
2. Sarawat buys some food before come to my house.
3. When I was in Thailand, I went to Chatuchak Market.
4. I was doing my homework while my parents were eating.
5. By the time Sarawat comes, Tine will have been at home.
6. Sarawat has stayed in Chiangmai since he moves from Bangkok.
7. Sarawat stayed at music room until he finished his song.

Explanation:
1. By the time Sarawat comes, Tine will have been at home.
In this clause use “future perfect” because use “will have been” in Subject.
C. Using Adverb Clauses to Show Cause and Effect
because (a) Because he was sleepy, he
went to bed.
(b) He went to bed because he
was sleepy.
now that (c) Now that I ’ve finished the
semester, I’m going to rest a
few days and then take a trip.
(d) Jack lost his job. Now that
he's unemployed, he can’t pay
his bills.
since (e) Since Monday is a holiday,
we don’t have to go to work.
(f) Since you’re a good cook
and I’m not, you should cook
the dinner.
(g) Since i came here, i have
met many people.
An adverb clause may precede
or follow the independent
clause. Notice the punctuation
in (a) and (b).
Now that means “because
now." In (c): Now that I ’ve
finished the semester means
“because the semester is now
over.” Now that is used for
present causes of present or
future situations.
When since is used to mean
“because,” it expresses a known
cause; it means “because it is a fact
that” or “given that it is true that.”
Cause-and effect sentences with
since say, “Given the fact that X is
true, Y is the result." In (e): “Given
the fact that Monday is a holiday,
we don’t have to go to work."
note : Since has two meanings.
One is “because.” It is also used
in time clauses, as in (g). See
Chart 17-2.
Example:
1. I come to Sarawat house because he needs some help to finish his song.
2. I can shopping in online shop now that I have enough money.
3. Bright pays for our popcorn since we paid the theater tickets for him.

Explanation:
1. I can shopping in online shop now that I have enough money.
“now that I have enough money” means “because the money is enough now”.
D. Expressing Contrast (Unexpected Result): Using Even Though
(a) Because the weather was cold, I didn't go Because is used to express expected results.
swimming. Even though is used to express unexpected
(b) Even though the weather was cold, I went results.*
swimming.
(c) Because I wasn’t tired, I didn’t go to bed. note : Like because, even though introduces
(d) Even though I wasn’t tired, I went to bed. an adverb clause.

*Although and though have basically the same meaning and use as even though. See
Chart 19 - 6 , p. 406 , for information on the use of although and though.

Example:
1. Because Bright cooks Spaghetti for dinner, I do not buy some food for our dinner.
2. Event thought rain is pouring, Sarawat comes to my house for play guitar.

Explanation:
1. Event thought rain is pouring, Sarawat comes to my house for play guitar.
In this clause show the unexpected result to express “Sarawat comes to my house when
the rain is pouring”
E. Showing Direct Contrast: While
(a) Mary is rich, while John is poor.
(b) John is poor, while Mary is rich.
(c) While John is poor, Mary is rich.
(d) While Mary is rich, John is poor.
compare :
(e) The phone rang while i was studying.
While is used to show direct contrast: “this” is
exactly the opposite of “that.”*
Examples (a), (b), (c), and (d) all have the same
meaning.
Note the use of the comma in (a) and (b): In
using while for direct contrast, a comma is often
used even if the while-clause comes second
(unlike the punctuation of most other adverb
clauses).
reminder : While is also used in time clauses
and means “during that time,” as in (e). See
Chart 17-2.

Example:
1. The apartment is big, while the boarding house is small.
2. While the boarding house is small, the apartment is big.
3. Win knocked my door while I was taking a shower.

Explanation:
1. The apartment is big, while the boarding house is small.
In this clause show direct contrast from apartment and boarding house.
F. Expressing Conditions in Adverb Clauses: If-Clauses
(a) If it rains tomorrow, I will take my
umbrella.
If-clauses (also called “adverb clauses of
condition”) present possible conditions. The
main clause expresses RESULT.
In (a):
possible condition = it may rain tomorrow
result = I will take my umbrella
A present tense, not a future tense, is used in
an if-clause even though the verb in the if-
clause may refer to a future event or situation,
as in (a).*

Words that introduce adverb clauses of condition (if-clauses)

if even if unless
*See Chapter
whether 20 for uses
or not of other verb
in case forms
only if in sentences with if-clauses.
Example: it may be sunny day tomorrow.
1. If it’s sunny day tomorrow, I’m going to the beach.
2. We can sunbathing in the beach if it’s sunny day tomorrow.
Explanation:
In my clause, there are have possible condition “sunny day tomorrow” and if “sunny
day tomorrow” I will “go to the beach and take sunbathing together with my friends”
G. Shortened If-Clauses
(a) Are you a student?
If so / If you are, the ticket is half-price.
If not / If you aren't, the ticket is full price.
(b) It’s a popular concert. Do you have a ticket?
If so / If you do, you’re lucky.
If not / If you don't, you’re out of luck.
When an if-clause refers to the idea in the
sentence immediately before it, it is sometimes
shortened.
In (a): If so / If you are = If you are a student
If not / If you aren’t = If you aren’t a student
In (b): If so / If you do = If you have a ticket
If not / If you don’t = If you don’t have a ticket

Example:
1. Are you have a membership card?
 If you have a membership card, you just pay for half-price to buy official stuffs.
 If you have not a membership card, you must pay with full price to buy official
stuffs.

2. Bright and Win held online fan meeting on V-live. Do you get the ticket?
 If you get the ticket, you’re so lucky.
 If you do not get the ticket, you’re out of luck.
Explanation: refer the idea with shortness clause
H. Adverb Clauses of Condition: Using Whether Or Not and Even If

Whether or not
(a) I’m going to go swimming tomorrow
whether or not it is cold, OR
whether it is cold or not.
Even if
(b) I have decided to go swimming tomorrow.
Even if the weather is cold. I’m going to go
swimming.
Whether or not expresses the idea that neither
this condition nor that condition matters; the
result will be the same.
In (a): “If it is cold, I’m going swimming. If it is
not cold, I'm going swimming. I don’t care about
the temperature. It doesn’t matter.”
Sentences with even if are close in meaning to
those with whether or not.
Even if gives the idea that a particular condition
does not matter. The result will not change.

Example:
1. I want buy official jersey from Bright and Win whether it is expensive or not.
2. I decide to buy Seventeen light stick version 1 and 2 even if the price is expensive. I
must have it

Explanation:
In my clause I don’t care about the price because I want support my favorite idol with
my blood, sweat and tears. (I make the sentences by my experience)
I. Adverb Clauses of Condition: Using In Case
(a) I’ll be at my uncle’s house in case you In case expresses the idea that something
(should) need to reach me. probably won't happen,
but it might. In case means “if by chance this
should happen.”
note : Using should in an adverb clause
emphasizes the speaker’s uncertainty that
something will happen.
Example:
1. In case if you aren’t comfortable with your dress, you can return it to the wardrobe
store.
2. In case Bright calls (should call), please tell him that I’m at the grocery store now.
3. In case you (should) have medical check-up, please come to Dr. Metawin.

Explanation:
1. In case you (should) have medical check-up, please come to Dr. Metawin
In this clause (should) emphasizes the speakers' uncertainty that something will
happen.
J. Adverb Clauses of Condition: Using Unless
(a) I’ll go swimming tomorrow unless It's cold. unless = if . . . not
(b) I’ll go swimming tomorrow if it isn’t cold. In (a): unless it’s cold means “if it isn't cold.”
Examples (a) and (b) have the same meaning.

Example:
1. I will go to Bangkok unless it’s situation in lockdown.
2. I will buy Seventeen new album unless it’s out of stock.
3. I will finish my online assignment unless it’s bad internet connection.

Explanation:
1. I will go to Bangkok unless it’s situation in lockdown.
“unless” in this clause have same meaning “if it isn’t situation in lockdown”.
K. Adverb Clauses of Condition: Using Only If
(a) The picnic will be canceled only if it rains. Only if expresses the idea that there is only one
If it’s windy, we’ll go on the picnic. condition that will cause a particular result.
If it's cold, we’ll go on the picnic.
If it’s damp and foggy, we’ll go on the picnic.
If it’s unbearably hot, we’ll go on the picnic.
(b) Only if it rains will the picnic be canceled. When only if begins a sentence, the subject and
verb of the main clause are inverted, as in (b).*
No commas are used.
*Other subordinating conjunctions and prepositional phrases preceded by only at the beginning of a sentence require
subject-verb inversion in the main clause:
Only when the teacher dismisses its can we stand and leave the room.
Only after the phone rang did I realize that I had fallen asleep in my chair.
Only in my hometown do I feel at ease.
Example:
1. I will buy all version of Seventeen new albums only if I have enough money.
2. Only if it storms will the soccer match be canceled.
3. I must get every Bright and stuffs only if it still in ready stock.

Explanation:
1. I will buy all version of Seventeen new albums only if I have enough money.
In this clause “only if” express the idea.