1. Adverb Clauses HOW, WHEN, WHERE, WHY, AND UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS
the Action Occurs

2. is… Adverb Clause A subordinate clause
A group of words that contains a subject and predicate that does not express a complete thought.
That modifies
Tells how, when, where, why or under what condition the action occurs
A verb
Action, state or relationship

3. Look and See it, Listen and Hear it
Miss Marie talks about adverb clauses
Miss Marie teaches English in Canada, therefore her terminology is different.
Adverb clauses modify verbs only!
They do not modify adjectives or adverbs.
Adverb phrases modify adjectives and adverbs.
The conjunction for linking the subordinate clause to the main clause is a Subordinating Conjunction, not a conjunctive adverb. A conjunctive adverb is the type of adverb.
Remember to adjust the volume and expand to full screen

4. What it does
Tells
How
Two people can enjoy a movie, if they can agree on what movie to see.
How can two people enjoy a movie?
if they can agree on what movie to see
Note: Answers to the adverbial questions are sentence fragments.

5. What it does Tells How When
After we go to the store, we can have lunch.
When can we have lunch?
after we go to the store
Note: Answers to the adverbial questions are sentence fragments.

6. What it does Tells How When Where
Profanity is not acceptable where young children are playing.
Where is profanity not acceptable?
where young children are playing
Note: Answers to the adverbial questions are sentence fragments.

7. What it does Tells How When Where Why
I am going to ask Sally to the prom because she is a pretty girl.
Why am I going to ask Sally to the prom?
because she is a pretty girl
Note: Answers to the adverbial questions are sentence fragments.

8. What it does Tells How When Where Why Under what conditions
If I get up late, Mom will drive me to school.
Under what condition will Mom drive me to school?
if I get up late
Note: Answers to the adverbial questions are sentence fragments.

9. Linking the clauses
Subordinate clauses are linked to the main clause by Subordinating Conjunctions.
How
When
Where
Why
Under what conditions
since
after
while
because
unless if
before
where
although
even if
in order that
until
where, wherever
so that
even though
whether
when, whenever
though
provided that as
once
than
as if
that
This is not an exhaustive list. Some of these words can be used to answer other adverbial questions. “Than” and “that” can answer adjectival questions.

10. How to find it
First find the verbs and the predicates. Second find the subjects. If the subject is preceded by a subordinate conjunction if is a subordinate clause. If the subordinate clause answers an adverbial question (how, when, where, why or under what conditions), it is an adverb clause.
“Because” tells why
Because we will be building complex sentences, this class needs to understand and identify adverb clauses.
Because we will be building complex sentences, this class needs to understand and identify adverb clauses.
Because we will be building complex sentences, this class needs to understand and identify adverb clauses.
Because we will be building complex sentences, this class needs to understand and identify adverb clauses.

11. Look and See it, Listen and Hear it
What is an adverb clause Just another explanation
After you watch this video, you may have a better understanding of adverb clauses.
After you watch this video, you may have a better understanding of adverb clauses.
Remember to adjust the volume and expand to full screen

12. How it works - Placement
at the end
at the beginning
Subordinate Clause
Main Clause
Because they spend a lot of time studying,
Students with good grades get into less trouble
students with good grades get into less trouble.
because they spend a lot of time studying.
Subordinate Clause
Main Clause
Which order is better? End with the more important idea. This makes the reader remember it better.
Note: Capital letters were changed because of standard sentence capitalization rules. Comma was added after the introductory subordinate clause.

13. How it works -Punctuation
Separation by Comma
A comma is usually not used if the adverb clause is at the end of the sentence.
A comma is usually not used if the adverb clause is at the end of the sentence.
If an adverb clause begins a sentence, a comma is used after it.
If an adverb clause begins a sentence, a comma is used after it.
If his brother lets him have the car, Marcel is going to ask the new girl on a date.
Marcel is going to ask the new girl on a date if his brother lets him have the car.
No Comma here
Comma here

14. Example of Explication
He read the passage as if he had done it before.
Main clause: “He read the passage”
Adverb clause: “as if he had done it before”
tells HOW the action was done
How did he read the passage? as if he had done it before
Subordinate conjunction: “as if”
No punctuation because the clause comes at the end of the sentence.

15. Just for Fun Subject Predicate Subordinate Conjunction Main Clause
Diagramming
Diagramming indicates parts of speech not word order of the sentence. It is a visual picture of the sentence structure.
Subordinate
Conjunction
Main Clause
Predicate
Subject
Subordinate Clause or
Adverb Clause
Note: The subordinate (or dependent) clause is below the main (or independent) clause, even if it appears first in the sentence. The connector is attached to the predicate since it modifies the verb

16. Whenever you read, I listen.
Just for Fun I
listen
Diagramming
Diagramming indicates parts of speech not word order of the sentence. It is a visual picture of the sentence structure.
Main Clause
Whenever
you
read
Subordinate Clause or
Adverb Clause

17. Juan ordered pizza after he found out what everyone wanted on it.
Your Turn
Juan ordered pizza after he found out what everyone wanted on it.
Juan ordered pizza after he found out what everyone wanted on it.
Juan ordered pizza after he found out what everyone wanted on it.
Find the adverb clause
What is the subject, predicate of each clause?
Which clause is the main, subordinate clause?
What is the subordinating conjunction?
What adverbial question is being asked?
When did Juan order the pizza? after he found out what everyone wanted on it

18. When I get there, I’ll give you a call.
Your Turn
When I get there, I’ll give you a call.
When I get there, I’ll give you a call.
When I get there, I’ll give you a call.
Find the adverb clause
What is the subject, predicate of each clause?
Which clause is the main, subordinate clause?
What is the subordinating conjunction?
What adverbial question is being asked?
When will I give you a call? when I get there

19. We will cheer for Bob as he crosses the finish line.
Your Turn
We will cheer for Bob as he crosses the finish line.
We will cheer for Bob as he crosses the finish line.
We will cheer for Bob as he crosses the finish line.
Find the adverb clause
What is the subject, predicate of each clause?
Which clause is the main, subordinate clause?
What is the subordinating conjunction?
What adverbial question is being asked?
When and where will we cheer for Bob? as he crosses the finish line

20. Your Turn
If your teacher grades your assignments, you will know that you understand the material.
If your teacher grades your assignments, you will know that you understand the material.
If your teacher grades your assignments, you will know that you understand the material.
Find the adverb clause
What is the subject, predicate of each clause?
Which clause is the main, subordinate clause?
What is the subordinating conjunction?
What adverbial question is being asked?
Under what condition will you know how well you understand the material? if your teacher grades your assignment
Note: “that you understand the material” is an adjective clause because it acts as the DO to “know”.

21. Your Turn
See Note
Because Rachel had broken her leg before the coach sent in the roster, she did not go to sectionals.
Because Rachel had broken her leg before the coach sent in the roster, she did not go to sectionals.
Because Rachel had broken her leg before the coach sent in the roster, she did not go to sectionals.
Find the adverb clause
What is the subject, predicate of each clause?
Which clause is the main, subordinate clause?
What is the subordinating conjunction?
What adverbial question is being asked?
Why did she (Rachel) not go to sectionals?
When had Rachel broken her leg?
because Rachel had broken her leg
before the coach sent in the roster
Note: “before the coach sent in the roster” modifies the adverb clause “Before Rachel had broken her leg.”

22. Your Turn
While he was studying, Alex understood the material, but he couldn’t remember a thing after he played video games all night.
While he was studying, Alex understood the material, but he couldn’t remember a thing after he played video games all night.
While he was studying, Alex understood the material, but he couldn’t remember a thing after he played video games all night.
Find the adverb clause
What is the subject, predicate of each clause?
Which clause is the main, subordinate clause?
What is the subordinating conjunction?
What adverbial question is being asked?
When did Alex understand the material?
When could he not remember a thing?
while he was studying
after he played video games all night
Note: two complex sentences connected by the conjunction “but.”

23. Try this! Learn 4 Good Exercise Answer all questions
Grammar Bytes Exercise Answer questions 1,2,3,9,10,16 & 17

24. References
O'Brien, E. (2011).Diagramming Clauses .Retrieved from Royster, J. J., Lester, M., & Ligature, Inc. (1999). Writer’s choice: grammar and composition. New York: Glencoe, McGraw-Hill. Simmons, R.L. (2011). The adverb clause. Retrieved from terms/adverbclause.htm.

25. Graphics credits
Photos: Barbara Enoch Grammar Bytes: Simmons, Robin L. (2011) by permission at < Learn 4 Good: By permission (D. von Chamier, personal communication, February 21, 2011)

26. Hyperlink credits
Adverb clause examples. Retrieved from: < Rackham, M. (Writer). (2009). Advanced grammar: adverb clauses . Available from Selcke, Paul (Writer). (2009). What is an adverb clause? Available from Simmons, Robin (2011) Commas – exercise 5. Retrieved from: < Permission at: