An adverbial clause is a clause that acts as an adverb in a sentence. It is used to modify verbs, adjectives, adverbs, or entire sentences and functions as adverbs. Adverbial clauses are usually guided by conjunctions, and according to the meaning and relationship expressed by the clause, they can be divided into different types of adverbial clauses such as time, place, reason, condition, way, comparison, purpose, etc. In this article, I will introduce the definition of adverbial clauses, the different types of adverbial clauses, their usage, and example sentences in detail.
1.Definitions:
An adverbial clause is a clause that acts as an adverb in a sentence. It is used to modify verbs, adjectives, adverbs, or entire sentences and functions as adverbs. Adverbial clauses are usually guided by conjunctions.
2.Different types of adverbial clauses:
Adverbial clauses can be divided into the following types:
Adverbial clause of time: An adverbial clause of time is used to indicate the time when an action or event occurs.
For example: I will call you when I arrive(I'll call you ** when I get there.)
Adverbial clause of place: An adverbial clause of place is used to indicate the place where an action or event takes place.
For example: he looked around to see if anyone was watching(He looks around to see if anyone is looking.) ）
Adverbial clause of reason: An adverbial clause of reason is used to indicate the reason why an action or event occurs.
For example: she stayed at home because she was not feeling well(She stayed home because she wasn't feeling well.) ）
Adverbial clause of condition: A conditional adverbial clause is used to indicate the condition under which an action or event occurs.
For example: if it rains tomorrow, we will stay indoors(If it rains tomorrow, we'll stay indoors.) ）
Adverbial clause of manner: An adverbial clause of manner is used to indicate the way in which an action or event occurs.
For example: he finished the race as if he were flying(He finished the race as if he were flying.) ）
Adverbial clause of comparison: An adverbial clause of comparison is used to express the comparative relationship of an action or event.
For example: she runs faster than i do(She ran faster than me.) ）
Adverbial clause of purpose: An adverbial clause of purpose is used to indicate the purpose of an action or event.
For example: I bought some groceries so that we can cook dinner(I bought some groceries so we could make dinner.) ）
3.Usage of adverbial clauses:
Adverbial clauses are used to modify verbs, adjectives, adverbs, or entire sentences and are usually guided by conjunctions. Depending on the meaning and relation expressed by the clause, we can use appropriate conjunctions to guide different types of adverbial clauses.
4.Example sentences for adverbial clauses:
Here are some example sentences about adverbial clauses:
i will call you when i arrive.(I'll call you ** when I get there.) Temporal adverbial clauses).
he looked around to see if anyone was watching.(He looks around to see if anyone is looking.) (place adverbial clause).
she stayed at home because she was not feeling well.(She stayed home because she wasn't feeling well.) (adverbial clause of reason).
if it rains tomorrow, we will stay indoors.(If it rains tomorrow, we'll stay indoors.) (conditional adverbial clause).
he finished the race as if he were flying.(He finished the race as if he were flying.) (modal adverbial clause).
she runs faster than i do.(She ran faster than me.) (comparative adverbial clauses).
i bought some groceries so that we can cook dinner.(I bought some groceries so we could make dinner.) (purpose adverb clause).
Note: Adverbial clauses are used to modify verbs, adjectives, adverbs, or entire sentences and are usually guided by conjunctions. Depending on the meaning and relation expressed by the clause, we can use appropriate conjunctions to guide different types of adverbial clauses.
Through the above introduction, we have learned about the definition of adverbial clauses, different types of adverbial clauses, usage, and example sentences. An adverbial clause is a clause that acts as an adverb in a sentence and is used to modify a verb, adjective, adverb, or entire sentence.