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Many subordinate clauses are
adverbial clauses. These clauses give information about the circumstances of an event. The different types of adverbial clause are described in detail below.
◊ position of adverbial clauses
The usual position for an adverbial clause is just after the main clause.
Her father died when she was young.
They were going by car because it was more comfortable.
However, most types of adverbial clause can be put in front of the main clause when you want to draw attention to the adverbial clause.
When the city is dark, we can move around easily.
Although crocodiles are inactive for long periods, on occasion they can run very fast indeed.
Occasionally, an adverbial clause is put in the middle of another clause, especially a relative clause.
They make allegations which, when you analyse them, do not have too many facts behind them.
◊ concessive clauses
Concessive clauses contain a fact that contrasts with the main clause. These are the main conjunctions used to introduce concessive clauses:
although, even though, though, whereas, while, whilst
I used to read a lot although I don't get much time for books now.
While I did well in class, I was a poor performer at games.
`Whilst' is a formal word.
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◊ omitting the subject
The subject of a concessive clause beginning with `although', `though', `while', or `whilst' is sometimes omitted when it is the same as the main subject, and a participle is used as the verb. For example, instead of saying `Whilst he liked cats, he never let them come into his house', you might say `Whilst liking cats, he never let them come into his house'. This is a rather formal use.
...some of my colleagues who, whilst not voting for the Tories, had abstained.
Both the journalists, though greeted as heroes on their return from prison, not long afterwards quietly disappeared from their newspapers.
These four conjunctions can also be used in front of a noun group, an adjective group, or an adverbial.
It was an unequal marriage, although a stable and long-lasting one.
Though not very attractive physically, she possessed a sense of humour.
◊ words in front of 'though'
You can put a complement in front of `though' for emphasis in formal English. For example, instead of saying `Though he was ill, he insisted on coming to the meeting', you can say `Ill though he was, he insisted on coming to the meeting'.
Astute businessman though he was, Philip was capable at times of extreme recklessness.
I had to accept the fact, improbable though it was.
Tempting though it may be to follow this point through, it is not really relevant and we had better move on.
When the complement is an adjective, you can use `as' instead of `though'.
Stupid as it sounds, I was so in love with her that I believed her.
Similarly, you can put an adverb such as `hard', `bravely', or `valiantly' in front of `though'.
Some members of the staff couldn't handle Murray's condition, hard though they tried.
◊ 'much as'
When you are talking about a strong feeling or desire, you can use `much as' instead of using `although' and `very much'. For example, instead of saying `Although I like Venice very much, I couldn't live there', you can say `Much as I like Venice, I couldn't live there'.
Much as they admired her looks and her manners, they had no wish to marry her.
◊ 'despite' and 'in spite of'
`Despite' and `in spite of' are also used to introduce a contrast, but they are used as prepositions in front of noun groups or `-ing' clauses, not as conjunctions.
These mothers still play a big part in their children's lives, despite working and having a full-time nanny.
In spite of his mildness he was tremendously enthusiastic about his subject.
However, you can say `despite the fact that...' or `in spite of the fact that...'.
Despite the fact that it sounds like science fiction, most of it is technically realizable at this moment.
See also entry at ↑ in spite of - despite.
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◊ conditional clauses
Conditional clauses are used to talk about possible situations. The event described in the main clause depends on the condition described in the subordinate clause. Conditional clauses usually begin with `if' or `unless'. See entries at ↑
if and ↑
unless.
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When using a conditional clause, you often use a
modal in the main clause. You always use a modal in the main clause when talking about a situation which does not exist.
If you weren't here, she would get rid of me in no time.
If anybody had asked me, I could have told them what happened.
Instead of using `if' or `unless', you can use
inversion in formal speech and writing. For example, instead of saying `If I'd been there, I would have stopped them', you can say `Had I been there, I would have stopped them'.
Had I been found innocent, I would have been accepted as innocent by society.
People sometimes use an imperative clause followed by `and' or `or' instead of a conditional clause. For example, instead of saying `If you keep quiet, you won't get hurt', they say `Keep quiet and you won't get hurt'. See entries at ↑
Advising someone and ↑
Warning someone.
◊ less common conjunctions
You use `provided', `providing', `as long as', or `only if' to begin a conditional clause referring to a situation that is a necessary condition for the situation referred to in the main clause.
A child will learn what is right and what is wrong in good time provided he is not pressured.
As long as you print fairly clearly you don't have to learn any new typing skills.
Only if oil is very scarce is it likely that there will be a major use of coal to make oil.
Note that you use inversion in the main clause when you have used `only if'.
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To indicate that a situation is not affected by another possible situation, you use `even if'.
Even if you've never been taught to mend a fuse, you don't have to sit in the dark.
I would have married her even if she had been penniless.
To indicate that a situation is not affected by any of several possibilities, you use `whether' and `or'.
If the lawyer made a long, oratorical speech, the client was happy whether he won or lost.
Some children start with a huge appetite at birth and never lose it afterwards, whether they're well or sick, calm or worried.
To indicate that a situation is not affected by either of two opposite possibilities, you use `whether or not'.
A parent shouldn't hesitate to talk over the child's problems with the teacher, whether or not they are connected with school.
He will have to foot at least part of the bill whether he likes it or not.
◊ manner clauses
Manner clauses describe someone's behaviour or the way that something is done. The following conjunctions are used to introduce manner clauses:
as, as if, as though, like, the way
I don't understand why he behaves as he does.
Is she often rude and cross like she's been this last month?
Joyce looked at her the way a lot of girls did.
`As if' and `as though' are used to say that something is done as it would be done if something else were the case. Note that a past tense is used in the subordinate clause.
Presidents can't dispose of companies as if people didn't exist.
She treats him as though he was her own son.
The subjunctive form `were' is often used instead of `was'.
He swallowed a little of his whisky as if it were nasty medicine.
◊ place clauses
Place clauses indicate the location or position of something. Place clauses usually begin with `where'.
He said he was happy where he was.
You use `wherever' to say that something happens in every place where something else happens.
Soft-stemmed herbs and ferns spread across the ground wherever there was enough light.
Wherever I looked, I found patterns.
`Everywhere' can be used instead of `wherever'.
Everywhere I went, people were angry or suspicious.
◊ purpose clauses
Purpose clauses indicate the intention someone has when they do something. The most common type of purpose clause is a `to'-infinitive clause.
All information in this brochure has been checked as carefully as possible to ensure that it is accurate.
Carol had brought the subject up simply to annoy Sandra.
In formal writing and speech, `in order' followed by a `to'-infinitive clause is often used instead of a simple `to'-infinitive clause.
They had to take some of his land in order to extend the church.
You can also use `so as' followed by a `to'-infinitive clause.
The best thing to do is to fix up a screen so as to let in the fresh air and keep out the flies.
You cannot use `not' with a simple `to'-infinitive clause when indicating a negative purpose. For example, you cannot say `He slammed on his brakes to not hit it'. Instead, you must use `to avoid' followed by an `-ing' form, or `in order' or `so as' followed by `not' and a `to'-infinitive.
He had to hang on to avoid being washed overboard.
I would have to give myself something to do in order not to be bored.
They went on foot, so as not to be heard.
Other purpose clauses are introduced by `so', `so that', or `in order that'.
She said she wanted to be ready at six so she could be out by eight.
I have drawn a diagram so that my explanation will be clearer.
...people who are learning English in order that they can study a particular subject.
Note that you usually use a modal in these purpose clauses.
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◊ reason clauses
Reason clauses explain why something happens or is done. They are usually introduced by `because', `since', or `as'.
I couldn't feel anger against him because I liked him too much.
I didn't know that she had been married, since she seldom talked about herself.
You use `in case' or `just in case' when you are mentioning a possible future situation which is someone's reason for doing something. In the reason clause, you use the simple present tense.
Mr Woods, I am here just in case anything out of the ordinary happens.
When you are talking about someone's reason for doing something in the past, you use the simple past tense in the reason clause.
Sam had consented to take an overcoat in case the wind rose.
People used to use reason clauses beginning with `for', but this use is now old-fashioned.
We never see Henry these days, for Henry has grown fat and lazy.
◊ result clauses
Result clauses indicate the result of an event or situation. Result clauses are introduced by the conjunctions `so that' or `so'. They always come after the main clause.
A great storm had brought the sea right into the house, so that they had been forced to make their escape by a window at the back.
The young do not have the money to save and the old are consuming their savings, so it is mainly the middle-aged who are saving.
`That'-clauses (with or without `that') can also be used as result clauses when `so' or `such' has been used in the main clause.
They were so surprised they didn't try to stop him.
These birds have such small wings that they cannot get into the air even if they try.
◊ time clauses
Time clauses indicate the time of an event. The following conjunctions are used to introduce time clauses:
after, as, as soon as, before, once, since, the minute, the moment, till, until, when, while, whilst
We arrived as they were leaving.
When the jar was full, he turned the water off.
More information on the uses of the words listed above can be found in the entry for each word.
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◊ tenses in time clauses
When talking about the past or the present, the verb in a time clause has the same tense that it would have in a main clause or a simple sentence. However, if the time clause refers to the future, you use the simple present tense. You do not use `will'.
As soon as I get back, I'm going to call my lawyer.
He wants to see you before he dies.
When mentioning an event in a time clause which will happen before an event referred to in the main clause, you use the present perfect tense in the time clause. You do not use `will have'.
We won't be getting married until we've saved enough money.
Tell the DHSS as soon as you have retired.
When reporting a statement or thought about such an event, you use the simple past tense or the past perfect tense in the time clause.
I knew he would come back as soon as I was gone.
He constantly emphasised that violence would continue until political oppression had ended.
For information on the use of tenses with `since' in a time clause, see entry at ↑
since.
◊ omitting the subject
If the subject of the main clause and the time clause are the same, the subject in the time clause is sometimes omitted and a participle is used as the verb. This is done especially in formal English.
I read the book before going to see the film.
The car was stolen while parked in a London street.
`When', `while', `once', `until', or `till' can be used in front of a noun group, an adjective group, or an adverbial.
He had read of her elopement while at Oxford.
Steam or boil them until just tender.
◊ regular occurrences
If you want to say that something always happens or happened in particular circumstances, you use a clause beginning with `when' or, more emphatically, `whenever', `every time', or `each time'.
When he talks about the Church, he does sound like an outsider.
Whenever she had a cold, she ate only fruit.
Every time I go to that class I panic.
He flinched each time she spoke to him.