Adverb Clause – Definition Examples Exercise

Learn The Adverb Clause comprehensively by definition, examples, uses, and exercises with answers. Get the concepts and learn effectively.

The Adverb Clause | How to Learn with Definition and Examples 

2. The Adverb Clause

The part of speech that modifies/changes an Adjective, verb, or another adverb is called the Adverb. When the same function is performed by a clause, it is called an Adverb Clause. This clause begins with a subordinate conjunction.

It usually denotes time, place, cause/reason, effect or result, extent, manner, comparison, contrast, condition, purpose.

Function of an Adverb Clause Linking Words Examples
 Timewhen He came when I went out. 
 Placewhere He may go where he likes. 
 Cause /ReasonbecauseAli will not go because he is ill. 
 Effect/Resultthat He ran so fast that he got tired. 
 Extentas far as As far as I know, he is a nobleman.
 Manneras/as if You play as you usually do. He yelled as if he were mad. 
 Conditionif I shall support him if he likes. 
 Comparisonas-as than Ahmad is as honest as his father. He is wiser than you. 
 Contrastthough although Though he is rich, he is a miser. Although he is week, yet can run fast.
 Purposethat/ in order that We read that we learn.  We ran in order that we catch the train.

LINKERS OF ADVERB CLAUSES

OR

USE OF ADVERB CLAUSES

1. Adverb Clauses of Time 

They are introduced by subordinating conjunction like when, whereas, while, before, after, ere, till, until, since, as soon as.

Examples

  1. You can meet me when the class is over.
  2.  You can come whenever you like.
  3.  He left while I was busy.
  4.  She came before I could leave.
  5.  He came after we had left.
  6.  Do good ere you die.
  7.  I waited for her till she returned.
  8. Do not leave this place until I come.
  9. I had not heard from him since he has left.
  10. He left as soon as I reached.

2. Adverb Clauses of Place

They are introduced by subordinating conjunctions like: “where, wherever, whence, whither.

Examples

  1. I shall go wherever I like.
  2. He can go back whence he comes.
  3. He can stay where he likes.
  4. You can tell us whether he is going.

3. Adverb Clauses of Purpose

They are introduced by subordinating conjunctions like: “that, lest so that, in order that.” 

Examples

  1. We eat that we may live.
  2. Walk carefully lest you should slip.
  3. We work so that we may succeed.
  4.  He studies hard in order that he can get good marks.
  5.  Come here that I may bless you.

4. Adverb Clauses of Cause or Reason

They are introduced by subordinating Conjunctions like: “because, since, that, as, for, etc.”

Examples

  1. He succeeded because he worked hard.
  2. You can go home since you are not well.
  3. He is happy that his son has succeeded.
  4. She failed for she did not work.
  5. I spoke to his brother as he was not present.

 5. Adverb Clauses of Condition

They are introduced- by subordinating conjunctions like: “if, unless, whether, in case, on the condition, provided, supposing that.”

Examples

  1. If it rains today, I shall not go out. 
  2. You will not pass unless you work hard.
  3. I shall go in case he comes.
  4. Work hard whether you like it or not.
  5. I shall help you on condition you cooperate.
  6. I shall help you provided you work hard.
  7. Supposing that he comes, I shall support him.

Note: Sometimes, subordinating conjunction is omitted in the past conditional as: 

Had he come, he would have met me.

Had you worked hard, you would not have regretted. 

6. Adverb Clauses of Effect or Consequence

They start with subordinating conjunctions like “that, so-that, such- that” 

Note: “So or such” arc used before “that” as a principal clause: 

Examples

  1. He worked so hard that he won first position. 
  2. They were so tired that they stopped. 
  3. He ran` that he overtook us. 
  4. He is such a miser that no one likes him. 

7. Adverb Clauses of Comparison 

They are introduced by subordinating conjunctions like: 

Examples

(A) In Positive Degree: as —as, so-as, such —as 

(B) In Comparative Degree: than 

(A) i. He is as brave as Ali. 

ii. He is so brave as to beat anyone. 

iii. He is such a brave fellow as cannot be defeated by anyone. 

(B) i. He is older than he looks. 

ii. Ali is taller than Ahmad.

8. Adverb Clauses of Contrast

They are introduced by “Though, Although”.

Examples

  1. Although he is healthy yet he is cowardly. 
  2. Though he worked hard, he failed. 

9. Adverb Clauses of Extent

They are introduced by subordinating conjunctions like “as far as, so far as, so— as.. 

Examples

  1. As far as his case is concerned, I can say nothing. 
  2. So far as I know, he is a noble fellow. 
  3. He worked so as to succeed. 

10. Adverb Clauses of Manner

They are introduced by “as, as if.” 

Examples

  1. I hit the ball as I liked.
  2. She cannot do everything as she likes. 
  3. He cries as if he were mad. 
  4. He acted as if he had been trained. 

11. Adverb Clauses of Supposition Or Concession

 They are introduced by “whoever, whatever, whichever, however, whether, even if :

Examples

  1. Whoever likes it may adopt it. 
  2. You can do whatever you like. 
  3. He can choose whichever he likes. 
  4. I shall do it however hard it is. 
  5. You will have to work hard whether you like it or not. 

EXERCISE 

ADVERB CLAUSES

1.He will run all the time. He will get exhausted soon. (Condition) 

Ans. If he runs all the time, he will get exhausted soon. 

2. The iron is hot. Strike it now. (Time) 

Ans. Strike while the iron is hot. 

3. I worked hard. I spoiled my health. (Result)

 Ans. I worked so hard that I spoiled my health. 

4. You will work hard. You will pass. (Condition) 

Ans. If you work hard, you will pass. 

5. I know about him. He is honest. (Extent) 

Ans. As far as I know, he is honest. 

6. They stayed. They liked. (Place) 

Ans. They stayed where they liked. 

7. It is so many years. I have not seen you. (Time) 

Ans. It is so many years since I saw you. 

8. We work hard. We want to pass. (Purpose) 

Ans. We work hard that we may pass. 

9. He started early. He wanted to catch the train (Purpose) 

Ans. He started early so that he might catch the train. 

10. He could not pass. He did not work hard. (Cause or Reason).

Ans. He could not pass because he did not work hard. 

Comparison

11. He is not intelligent. His sister is very intelligent. (Comparison) 

Ans. He is not as intelligent as his sister. 

12. She is not tall. Her mother is tall. (Comparison)

Ans. She is not so tall as her mother. 

13. We get more. We are merrier. (Comparison), 

Ans. The more, the merrier.

14. What you will sow. You will reap it. (Contrast) 

Ans. As you sow, so shall you reap. 

15. He is very good. He helps me. (Extent) 

Ans. He is so good as to help me. 

16. He does not come here. I shall not oblige him. (Condition) 

Ans. If he does not come here, I shall not oblige him. 

17. You should walk with care. You should not slip. (Negative Purpose) 

Ans. Walk with care lest you should slip.  

18. You must work hard. You must not grow old. (Time) 

Ans. You must work hard ere you grow old. 

19. You may take anything. You may take what you like. (Concession) 

Ans. You may take whichever you like. 

20. You are tired. You may continue your work. (Supposition) 

Ans. You may continue your work even though you are tired.

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