problems with adverb clauses

Questions about Adverb ClausesNotes from class on Wednesday, October 16

FANBOYS, SUBORDINATORSLOGICAL CONNECTORS

FANBOYSare different from

adverbial expressions = subordinating conjunctions

= subordinators

Two different grammatical categories of words.They have different grammar rules and

punctuation.

Conjunctions = FANBOYS 1) Combine two complete

sentences2) Comma before the

conjunction

I’ve studied this, but I still don’t understand it very well.

BART keeps threatening to go on strike, but they

haven’t yet.

It was noisy outside, so we closed the door.

Are you going to grade this draft of our paper, or can we

do another draft?

Two sentences combined with a FANBOYS is a compound sentence.

There are only seven FANBOYS, but there are

many, many subordinators =

subordinating conjunctions=adverbial expressions

Here are some examples:because, even though, if, since, although, unless,

whereas, only if, when …

We use a subordinator to begin an adverb clause.

Some teachers call this a subordinate clause.

Two sentences combined with a subordinator is called

a complex sentence.

Examples:I studied hard because I wanted to

get an “A.”

You should always go to bed when you are tired.

I can’t sleep although I am tired.

Notice that there are no commas.

BUT you can move the adverb clause:Because I wanted to get an “A,”

I studied hard.

When you are tired, you should always go to bed.

Although I am tired, I can’t sleep.

Notice that there are COMMAS when the adverb clause is first.

UNTIL can be a subordinator OR a preposition:

All the quizzes in Moodle will be open until we take the the midterm exam.

(subordinator combines two sentences to make complex sentence.)

All the quizzes in Moodle will be open until the midterm exam.

(Now, “until” is a preposition followed by a noun.)

SINCE can be a subordinator OR a preposition:

I have known how to read since elementary school. (preposition)

I have known how to read since I was four. (subordinator)

Notice that subordinator since has two different meanings:

I have known how to read since I was four. (Time beginning in the past and

continuing in the presents)

I stayed up late since I wanted to find out if BART would be on strike today.

(because)

Unless is tricky:

Unless the tickets cost too much, we’ll go to the game next Saturday.

A sentence with unless can also be said with if by changing the main clause

affirmative negative

If the tickets cost too much, we won’t go to the game next Saturday.

Unless is tricky:

Unless I have no money, I will go to China next year. =

If I have no money, I won’t go to China next year. =

I have money, I will go to China next year.

More examples with unless:

It is a subordinator that combines two complete sentences to make a complex

sentence.

I will not pass the quiz unless I study hard. = Unless I study hard, I won’t pass

the quiz.

I will not miss a class unless I have a good reason.

There is a THIRD category of connecting words called LOGICAL CONNECTORS

or SENTENCE CONNECTORS.

There are, many, many of them.

Most of them are used more in formal writing than in conversation.

EXAMPLES:

therefore, however, nevertheless, on the other hand, nonetheless, as a result,

also, in addition, for this reason, in fact, on the bright side, on the negative side,

meanwhile

THIS HAVE A DIFFERENT PUNCTUATION RULE:

LOGICAL CONNECTORS begin a sentence, and show a logical connection

with the sentence that came before it.

The BART negotiations are very difficult. Therefore, they are dragging out for

days.

You can replace a period with a semi-colon.

The BART negotiations are very difficult; therefore, they are dragging out for days.

BE CAREFUL!

OKThe BART negotiations are very difficult; therefore, they are dragging out for days.

The BART negotiations are very difficult. Therefore, they are dragging out for

days.

BE CAREFUL!

NOT OK**The BART negotiations are very

difficult, therefore, they are dragging out for days.

**The BART negotiations are very difficult therefore they are dragging out

for days.

BE CAREFUL!

Notice that in many cases, you use the present tense in an adverb clause, even though you are talking about something

in the future.

FOR EXAMPLE:

When I save enough money, I will get a new car.

I will meet you for coffee after I finish my homework.

I will wait for the boss until he comes.