Section 1
The Adverb Clause
Definition
An adverb clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb.
Explanation
Think of an adverb clause as a group of words with its own subject and verb that acts just like a single adverb. It answers questions like how, when, where, or why something happened. These useful clauses are always introduced by subordinating conjunctions and can be placed at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence.
Examples
- While the music was playing, everyone started to dance. [The adverb clause modifies the verb started, telling when.]
- The game will be postponed if it rains tomorrow. [The adverb clause modifies the verb phrase will be postponed, telling under what condition.]
- I read the book slowly so that I would understand it better. [The adverb clause modifies the adverb slowly, telling why.]