Adverbial clause

Definition

An adverbial clause is a dependent clause that functions as an adverb, providing information about the time, place, condition, manner, or reason related to the action in the main clause. This type of clause enhances the meaning of a sentence by answering questions like 'when?', 'where?', 'why?', or 'how?'. It is connected to finite clauses and can only exist alongside an independent clause, establishing a relationship through subordinating conjunctions to create complex sentences.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Adverbial clauses can begin with subordinating conjunctions such as 'although', 'because', 'if', or 'when'.
2. These clauses help clarify the context of the main action, making sentences more informative and nuanced.
3. An adverbial clause always relies on an independent clause; without it, the adverbial clause cannot stand alone.
4. The placement of an adverbial clause can vary within a sentence, either at the beginning or the end, without changing its essential meaning.
5. Adverbial clauses can express various relationships, including cause and effect, contrast, and conditions.

Review Questions

• How do adverbial clauses enhance the meaning of independent clauses in complex sentences?
  • Adverbial clauses enhance independent clauses by adding context that answers questions such as when, where, why, or how the action occurs. By providing this additional information, they make sentences clearer and more detailed. For example, in the sentence 'She left early because she was tired,' the adverbial clause 'because she was tired' explains the reason for her early departure.
• Discuss the role of subordinating conjunctions in connecting adverbial clauses to independent clauses.
  • Subordinating conjunctions play a crucial role in connecting adverbial clauses to independent clauses by indicating the nature of their relationship. These conjunctions signal how the action in the main clause relates to the information provided in the adverbial clause. For instance, using 'if' in 'If it rains, we will stay inside' shows a condition that affects the main action of staying inside.
• Evaluate how the use of adverbial clauses impacts sentence variety and complexity in writing.
  • The use of adverbial clauses significantly enhances sentence variety and complexity in writing by allowing writers to combine ideas and provide richer details in their sentences. This leads to more sophisticated structures that engage readers by conveying multiple layers of meaning. For example, incorporating various types of adverbial clauses can create a dynamic narrative flow, making writing more interesting and effective at conveying nuanced arguments or storytelling elements.

Related terms

Subordinating conjunction: A word or phrase that introduces a subordinate clause and shows the relationship between the dependent clause and the independent clause, such as 'because', 'although', or 'when'.

Complex sentence: A sentence that contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause, which can include adverbial clauses to provide additional context.

Dependent clause: A group of words that has both a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence; it relies on an independent clause to give it meaning.