ADVERB CLAUSES

I Replace the sentences or co-ordinate clauses in italics by subordinate adverbial

clauses of reason or concession, as appropriate, using the conjunctions because, as,
since, although, even though, or while, and making any necessary omissions.

He didn’t understand, so he asked the teacher to explain.

As he didn’t understand, he asked the teacher to explain.

1. The colour didn’t suit her, so my wife decided not to buy the dress.

2. He had overslept. As a result, he was late for work.

3. I didn’t have any stamps. Therefore, I couldn’t post the letter.

4. The course cost a lot of money. Even so, I decided to take it.

5. We left rather late. We arrived on time, however.

6. She likes England very much. She’s looking forward to going home,

nevertheless.

7. I agreed to follow his advice, but I did so with some misgivings.

8. I had promised to visit him so I felt obliged to go.

9. His doctor had given him strict instructions to stay in bed. Despite this, he went

to work.

10. He won’t listen to me, so you’d better try talking to him yourself.

Graver 186, Key:

1. Since the colour didn’t suit her, my wife decided not to buy the dress.
2. Because he had overslept, he was late for work.
3. As I didn’t have any stamps, I couldn’t post the letter.
4. Even though the course cost a lot of money, I decided to take it.
5. Although we left rather late, we arrived on time.
6. While she likes England very much, she’s looking forward to going home.
7. Although I agreed to follow his advice, I did so with some misgivings.
8. Since I had promised to visit him, I felt obliged to go.
9. Although his doctor had given him strict instructions to stay in bed, he went to work.
10. Since he won’t listen to me, you’d better try talking to him yourself.

II Join the following sentences so as to form clauses of result:

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 1. The thief ran very fast. The police did not catch him.

2. Computers are very useful. We cannot imagine life without them.

3. The teacher asked many questions. They did not know the answers.

4. The singer gave a beautiful performance. The audience was in tears.

5. He has few friends. He is always lonely.

6. They haven’t got much money. They can’t buy a house.

7. Our teacher never had any patience. We didn’t learn much.

8. It was a foggy day. We couldn’t see the road.

9. He had bad luck. He became extremely depressed.

10. The two families are tied by strong links. They have lots of common interests.

III Form clauses of purpose using so that and making any necessary changes to the
second sentence in the pair:

1. He sent her some money. She wanted to buy a new dress.

2. The girl accepted the gift. She was afraid he might be offended.

3. Will you look after the children? I want to go shopping.

4. Computers are used in kidney research. Doctors can improve the health of

their patients.

5. Turn off the television set. I can’t hear myself think!

IV Identify the subordinate clauses in the following sentences as purpose or result:

1. He fought so hard that he was exhausted at the end of the battle.

2. Lend me some money so that I can buy a new dress.

3. She saved all her income in order that she might buy her parents a new house.

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 4. Why don’t you work hard so that you can get a pay raise, too?

5. You are singing extremely loudly so I can’t hear anyone else.

V Find out the adverb clauses in the following sentences and state the kind of each.

1. Even if it rains, I will come.

2. When you have finished your work, you may go home.

3. You can put it wherever you like.

4. I did not buy that watch because it was expensive.

5. You must go whether you hear from him or not.

6. He spoke in such a low voice that few people could hear him.

7. Since you have apologized, we will take no further action against you.

8. I have not been well since I returned from the hills.

9. He was so weak that he could not stand.

10. As he was not there, I spoke to his mother.

Key:

1. Adverb clause of concession – even if it rains

2. Adverb clause of time – when you have finished your work
3. Adverb clause of place – wherever you like
4. Adverb clause of reason – because it was expensive
5. Adverb clause of condition – whether you hear from him or not
6. Adverb clause of result – that few people could hear him
7. Adverb clause of cause – since you have apologized
8. Adverb clause of time – since I returned from the hills
9. Adverb clause of result – that he could not stand
10. Adverb clause of cause – as he was not there

VI Change the adverb clauses to modifying phrases:

1. Because the little boy believed that no one loved him, he ran away from home.

2. Because she was not paying attention to where she was going, Rosa stepped into a

hole and sprained her ankle.

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 3. Because I had forgotten to bring a pencil to the class, I had to borrow one.

4. Because she is a vegetarian, she does not eat meat.

5. Because he has already flunked out of school once, Mike is determined to succeed

this time.

Key:
1. Believing that no one loved him, the little boy ran away from home.
2. Not paying attention to where she was going, Rosa stepped into a hole and sprained her ankle.
3. Having forgotten to bring a pencil to the class, I had to borrow one.
4. Being a vegetarian, she does not eat meat.
5. Having (already) flunked out of school once, Mike is determined to succeed this time.

VII Change the adverb clauses to modifying phrases or vice versa, if possible:

1. Before coming to class, I had a cup of coffee.

2. While John was driving to school yesterday, he had an accident.

3. After he (had) finished his homework, he went to bed.

4. While I was watching TV last night, the telephone rang.

5. While living in Japan last year, I learned many things about Japanese customs.

6. Before the student came to class, the teacher had already given a quiz.

7. When an American woman meets someone for the first time, she may or may not

offer her hand.

8. When left alone, young children can get into all sorts of trouble very quickly.

9. You should always read a contract before signing your name.

10. Having completed / Completing her shopping, she went home.

Key:
1. Before I came to class, I had a cup of coffee.
2. While driving to school yesterday, John had an accident.
3. Having finished his homework, he went to bed.
4. While I was watching TV last night, the telephone rang. (no change)
5. While I was living in Japan last year, I learned many things about Japanese customs.
6. Before the student came to class, the teacher had already given a quiz. (no change)
7. When meeting someone for the first time, an American woman may or may not offer her hand.
8. When they are left alone, …

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 9. You should always read a contract before you sign your name.
10. After she had completed her shopping, she went home. When she completed her shopping, she went home??.

VIII Azar, Hagen (fifth edition), Chapter 18: Reduction of adverb clauses to
modifying clauses

Read the chapter and complete the exercises!