Handout 10b

ADVERBIAL CLAUSES - KEY

- adverbial clauses function mainly as adjuncts and disjuncts

- semantic functions of adverbial clauses:

clauses of time; clauses of place; clauses of condition, concession, contrast; clauses of exception; reason clauses; purpose clauses; result clauses; clauses of similarity and comparison; clauses of preference; comment clauses

 

Some examples:

Buy your ticket as soon as you reach the station.                                  = clause of time

She went wherever she could find work.                                               = clause of place

If I pass the exam, I’ll go to the cinema.                                                 = conditional clause

Although she still loved him, she didn’t want to see him.                      = concessive clause

I would pay you now, except that I don’t have any money on me.         = clause of exception

Seeing that it is about to rain, we’d better leave now.                            = reason (cause) clause

Students should take notes (so as) to make revision easier.                   = purpose clause

We paid her immediately, so that she left contented.                                          = result clause

John looks as if he’s getting better.                                                        = clause of comparison

Prague, as you probably know, is the capital of the Czech Republic.    = comment clause