Adverb clauses (Adverbial clauses) are groups of words with a subject and a verb that function as adverbs. There are many different types: contrast, purpose, cause, effect, comparison, time, place, manner, and condition.
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Adverb Clause of Time
Adverb clauses of time tell us about when something happens. We can use conjunctions like ‘when’, ‘whenever’, ‘before’, ‘after’, ‘as’, ‘while’ ‘until’, ‘as soon as’, and ‘since’:
- I stopped running when I saw my friend.
- Annie gets excited whenever she sees a dog.
- I’ll do my homework before I go back to school.
- Harry went home after the movie ended.
- I watched my mother as she prepared dinner.
- He washed the dishes while his girlfriend vacuumed the floor.
- I will come over as soon as I finish eating.
- Gemma hasn’t stopped working since she arrived.
Adverb Clause of Place
Adverb clauses of place tell us about where something happens. We can use ‘where’, ‘wherever’, and ‘everywhere’:
- Wherever I go, I always see McDonald’s.
- I’m not sure where she lives.
- We met kind people everywhere we went.
| Note that clauses beginning with ‘whenever’, ‘wherever’, and ‘everywhere’ show that something always happens in a place or at a certain time. |
Adverb Clause of Condition
Adverb clauses of condition tell us about the circumstances under which something happens. These clauses often begin with ‘if’, ‘unless’, or ‘provided that’:
- I only watch TV if my favorite show is on.
- He won’t go to university unless he studies very hard.
- You can play the game, provided that you follow the rules.
Adverb Clause of Manner
Adverb clauses of manner show us how something happens. They usually begin with ‘like’, ‘as though’ or ‘as if’:
- She looked as though she was in pain.
- Ryan walked past as if he hadn’t seen us.
- He talked to me like I was a child.
Watch this video and learn what an adverb clause is and what types of them we can use:
Learn more about other types of adverb clauses: