Adverb Clauses

Created by Kathryn Reilly

What is an Adverb Clause?• An adverb clause is a dependant clause modifying a verb.

• An adverb clause may precede or follow the verb it modifies.

• Adverb clauses are the fashion accessories to a good sentence.

• Just as a person wouldn’t just wear a watch or a necklace, a sentence can’t just be an adverbial clause.

Quick Adverb Review• Adverbs answer the questions– Where?– When?– Why?– Under what conditions?

• An adverb is a modifier that describes a verb.– The werewolf howled loudly.

• How did the werewolf howl? Loudly.

• Many adverbs end in –ly, but not all.– The werewolf met with the vampire yesterday.

• When did the meeting happen? Yesterday.

Adverb Clauses

• Adverb clauses are groups of words containing a subject and verb that cannot stand on their own as a complete sentence; they must be connected to an independent clause.

Example:The werewolf and vampire met before the truce was broken.

Creating an Adverb Clause• Adverb clauses always describe a verb.

– Both parties brokered a new truce.• Why did they broker a new truce?

– Both parties brokered a new truce so they could remain hidden from the human world.• When did they broker a new truce?

– Both parties brokered a new truce after the clock struck 3 a.m.– After the clock struck 3 a.m., both parties brokered a new

truce.

• Note: Adverb clauses may precede or follow the verb they modify.

Recognizing Adverb Clauses• Adverbial clauses often begin with a subordinating

conjunction:– Although – After– Before– Because– Since– So– While

• This is only a partial list!

Adverb Clause Review

• An adverb clause is a dependent clause.

• An adverb clause modifies (or describes) the verb in a sentence.

• An adverb clause will answer the questions When? Where? Why? and Under what conditions? in relation to the verb.