Adverbial clauses

Dam Thi Thuy Ha

Hanoi University of Science and Technology
FL1024: Academic English Grammar in Writing
Pham Thi Quynh
May 28,2025
[Link] is the adverbial clauses?
Definition and explanation:
Adverbial clauses are dependent clauses that function as adverbs. They add information about time,

reason, contrast, condition, result, and more. These clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions (e.g.,

because, although, when, if, so that, so…that), providing context for the main clause (Azar & Hagen,

2009).

Example (source: Azar & Hagen, 2016):

“ Because she was tired, she went to bed early.”

→ "Because she was tired" shows the reason why she went to bed.
Illustration:
Example 1 (authentic text):
“Although it was raining, the match continued.”
(Cambridge Grammar of English, 2006)
"Although it was raining" expresses contrast.
Example 2 (my own):
“When I finish my homework, I’ll call you.”
→ “When I finish my homework" tells us when the main action will happen.
2. Types of Adverbial Clauses
2.1 Time Clauses
Definition / Explanation:These clauses show when an action happens. They answer the question
“when?” and use subordinating conjunctions like when, while, before, after, since, until, as soon as
,etc (Murphy, 2019).
Example 1 (authentic text):
“When the show ended, the audience gave a standing ovation.” (Murphy, 2019, p. 184)
Analysis: The clause “When the show ended” tells us the time of the action “the audience gave a
standing ovation.”
Example 2 (own sentence):
“I always brush my teeth before I go to bed.”
Analysis: The clause “before I go to bed” tells us when the brushing action occurs.
2.2 Manner clauses
Definition: These clauses describe how something is done. Common conjunctions include
as, as if, as though, etc
(Celce-Murcia & Larsen-Freeman, 1999).
Example 1 (authentic text):
“She acted as if she didn’t hear me.” (Celce-Murcia & Larsen-Freeman, 1999, p. 348)
Analysis: The clause “as if she didn’t hear me” describes her manner of acting.
Example 2 (own sentence):
“He ran as though a tiger was chasing him.”
Analysis: This clause describes the intensity and manner of his running.
2.3 Reason clauses
Definition: These clauses explain why something happens and answer the question “why?”.
Common conjunctions: because, since, as
(Celce-Murcia & Larsen-Freeman, 1999).
Example 1 (authentic text):
“She stayed home because she wasn’t feeling well.” (Swan, 2005, p. 115)
Analysis: The clause “because she wasn’t feeling well” gives the reason for her staying home.
Example 2 (own sentence):
“He didn’t go to the party since he had a lot of work to do.”
Analysis: The clause “since he had a lot of work to do” explains why he didn’t attend the party.
2.4 Purpose clauses
Definition: These clauses show the purpose of an action. Common conjunctions: so that, in order
that, in order to,etc for the purpose that (Swan, 2005)
Example 1 (authentic text):
“He trains every day so that he can compete professionally.” (Swan, 2005, p. 144)
Analysis: The clause “so that he can compete professionally” expresses the purpose of training.
Example 2 (own sentence):
“I wrote notes during class so that I wouldn’t forget the lecture.”
Analysis: The adverbial clause explains the reason behind writing notes.
2.5 Contrast clauses
Definition: These clauses show contrast or an unexpected result. They use conjunctions like
although, even though, whereas, while (Azar & Hagen, 2009).
Example 1 (authentic text):
“Although it was late, she continued working.” (Azar & Hagen, 2009, p. 332)
Analysis: The clause “Although it was late” contrasts with the expected action; she should have
stopped working.
Example 2 (own sentence):
“Even though he was nervous, he delivered a great speech.”
Analysis: “Even though he was nervous” shows a surprising condition given the successful speech.
2.6 Result clauses
Definition: Result clauses show the outcome or effect of the main [Link] structures:
• so + adjective/adverb + that
• such + (adjective) + noun + that (Azar & Hagen, 2009)
Example 1 (authentic text):
“The music was so loud that we couldn’t sleep.”(Murphy, 2019, p. 147)
Analysis: “that we couldn’t sleep” expresses the result of “so loud”.
Example 2 (own sentence):
“She is such a good dancer that everyone clapped.”
Analysis: “such a good dancer” leads to the result “everyone clapped”.
2.7 Reduced adverbial clauses
Definition: A reduced adverbial clause is a shorter version of a full clause, used when the subject
of the adverbial clause is the same as the subject of the main clause. This structure is more
concise and is common in academic or formal writing (Azar & Hagen, 2009).
Reduction Rules:
• Active voice → use the present participle (-ing form)
• Passive voice → use the past participle
Example 1 (authentic text):
“While walking through the park, she found a wallet.” (Source: Azar & Hagen, 2009, p. 286)
→ Reduced from: “While she was walking through the park…”
Analysis: “she” is the subject of both clauses → use walking.

Example 2 (own sentence):

“Invited to the event, he felt honored.”
→ Reduced from: “Because he was invited to the event…”
Analysis: passive voice → use past participle invited.
References (APA 7th Edition)
• Azar, B. S., & Hagen, S. A. (2009). Understanding and Using English Grammar
(4th ed.). Pearson Education.
• Celce-Murcia, M., & Larsen-Freeman, D. (1999). The Grammar Book: An
ESL/EFL Teacher’s Course (2nd ed.). Heinle & Heinle.
• Murphy, R. (2019). English Grammar in Use (5th ed.). Cambridge University
Press.
• Swan, M. (2005). Practical English Usage (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.
QUIZ TIME
1. Which sentence contains an adverbial
clause of reason?

A. She studied hard so that she could

pass.

B. She went home because she was

tired.

C. She is taller than her sister.

 2. Choose the correct reduced form:
While he was driving to work, he called his
boss.
A. While driving to work, he called
his boss.

B. Driving to work, he was calling his boss.

C. While he driving to work, he called his boss.

3. What is the result clause in the sentence
below?
He was so tired that he fell asleep on the
A. He was so tired
bus.

B. That he fell asleep

B. That he fell asleep

C. That he fell asleep on the bus

4. Identify the type of adverbial clause: Even
though he was late, they waited for him.

A. Time

B. Reason

C. Contrast
[Link] is the result clause in this sentence?
The music was so loud that we couldn’t hear
each other.
A. So loud

B. That we couldn’t hear

C. That we couldn’t hear each other

[Link] the sentence with a reduced
adverbial clause in active voice:

A. While he drives to work, he listens to music.

B. Driving to work, he listens to music.

C. He driving to work, he listens to music.

THANK YOU