Sentence Writing – Step 7 (Adverb Clauses)


Do you remember “Sentence Writing – Step 4 (Compound and Complex Sentences) when we learned about subordinating conjunctions?  Guess what?  Clauses that begin with subordinating conjunctions are adverb clauses.

What Are Adverb Clauses?

An adverb clause is a group of words that function as an adverb. The clause can modify verbs, adverbs, and adjectives by answering the questions when, where, why, how, how much, and under what condition. They begin with a subordinating conjunction (such as after, if, because and although), and they contain a subject and a verb.

Examples of Adverb Clauses

Here are some examples of adverb clauses.

Here are some examples of adverb clauses, which are underlined.  Subordinating conjunctions are bolded.

  1. Whether you like it or not, you have to go to bed now.
  2. She likes the red car more than her husband does.
  3. If you pay your bills, you will have a good credit score.
  4. Unless you run fast, you will miss the bus.
  5. So that she would have a tan for her vacation, she went to a tanning salon.
  6. Marty kept his schedule open, in case of emergencies.
  7. Because he loved her, he didn’t believe she had an affair.
  8. Once they saw the car coming, the birds flew away from the street.
  9. Although she has a business degree, she is working as a retail clerk.
  10. You must keep practicing until you get it right.
  11. In order to have six-pack abs, he works out at the gym.
  12. As we bought the tickets, the movie was beginning.
  13. Before we go on vacation, we must make reservations.
  14. Give us a call when you get back from your trip.
  15. I won’t allow you to see that movie, even though you are old enough.
  16. We went to a bar where they asked us to wait.
  17. Since I’ll be working late, I’ll eat downtown.
  18. Wherever there is a beach, sun worshipers will gather.
  19. While others saw the glass half empty, Barry saw it half full.
  20. The fireworks show will start after the sun goes down.
  21. Whenever you promise to do something, you should keep your promise.
  22. Now that everyone has left the party, we need to start cleaning up.
  23. No matter how many times I try to stop, I just can’t give up chocolate.
  24. Insofar as it can be determined, this is the best car on the market.
  25. We can get some new clothes provided the store is open this late.
  26. The cat made herself at home in the apartment as if she had always lived there.
  27. Frank ran the race as though his life depended on it.
  28. The people of Italy and Greece are similar in that they live near the Mediterranean Sea.
  29. He remembered to wear his jacket lest he catch a cold.
  30. We can swim in the pool as soon as we put on plenty of sunscreen.
  31. Even if everyone around you is losing their heads, you need to remain calm.
  32. Inasmuch as I would like to recommend you for the position, I just can’t do it.
  33. I never knew how wonderful life could be till I met you.
  34. There may come a time when I would do this, though I can’t imagine when that would be.

Leave a Reply