Public Services and Procurement Canada
Symbol of the Government of Canada

Institutional Links

 

Important notice

Writing Tips has been archived and won’t be updated before it is permanently deleted.

For the most up-to-date content, please consult Writing Tips Plus, which combines content from Writing Tips and The Canadian Style. And don’t forget to update your bookmarks!

Search Canada.ca
To begin your search, go to the alphabetical index below and click on the first letter of the word you are searching for.

adverb clause

A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb.

An adverb clause is a clause that acts as an adverb.

Function

An adverb clause modifies the verb in a sentence in the same way an adverb does:

  • Then the puck flew past the goalie into the net. (adverb telling when the puck flew)
  • When Joe hit the puck, it flew past the goalie into the net. (adverb clause telling when the puck flew)

Structure

Adverb clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions. The most common conjunctions used in adverb clauses are listed below, according to the type of clause they introduce.

  • Cause: as, because, since
    • Since the rain washed out the bridge, we’ll have to cross on foot.
  • Comparison: as … as, than
    • John sings better than I do.
  • Condition: if, provided that, unless, whether
    • I’ll go to the barbecue if you can give me a lift home.
  • Concession: although, even though, whereas, while
    • Even though Eric arrived late, he still got a seat.
  • Manner: as, as if, as though
    • Kristen looked as if she would explode.
  • Place: where, wherever
    • Take this map with you wherever you go.
  • Purpose: in order that, so that
    • Natalia closed the gate so that the llama would not stray.
  • Time: after, as, before, once, since, till, until, when, while
    • Until Al called, I expected to spend the evening at home.

NOTE: For information on how to punctuate adverb clauses, see COMMAS WITH ADVERB CLAUSES.