Adverb Clauses - Types Purposes

The adverb clause functions as an adverb, and it answers the questions when, where, why, how, how much, and under what condition, as it modifies adjective, verbs, and adverbs.

Adverb Clause

When you are looking for an adverb clause, you don't have far to look. An adverb clause is a group of words that work together as an adverb. The group can modify verbs, adjectives, and adverbs, and it does so by telling:

• When
• Where
• Why
• How
• How much
• Under what condition

An adverb clause is often easy to recognize because they begin with a subordinating conjunction like after, if, because, and although.

Now that you know what it is, let's take a look at the rules for an adverbial clause. An Adverb Clause has the following:

• Contains a subject and a verb.
• Has a subordinating conjunction like after, if, because, and although.
• Answers one of these four adverb questions; how, when, where, or why.

Now let's look at some examples to see how this works. Once you get the hang of it, you will see adverb clauses pop out when you are reading, and you will be sure to use them when you are writing.

Forming Adverb Clauses

• Agnes cleaned the oven because the blueberry pie exploded, causing a real mess.
  Why did Agnes clean the oven? Because the blueberry pie exploded is an adverb clause.
• In order to improve her balance, she did one legged squats.
  Why did she do one legged squats? In order to improve her balance is an adverb clause.
• She worked on the car until the engine purred like a cat.
  How did she work on the car? Until the engine purred like a cat is the adverb clause.
• Dinner will begin at eight unless we get stuck in traffic.
  Under what condition will dinner happen at eight? Unless we get stuck in traffic is the adverb clause.
• Once Billy knew he was going to the doctor, he ran and hid behind the house.
  When did Billy run and hide behind the house? Once he knew he was going to the doctor is the adverb clause.
• The bone was in the backyard, where the dog had dug a hole to keep it safe.
  Where is the bone? Where the dog had dug a hole to keep it safe is the adverb clause.