Adverb Clauses
Subordinate clauses can function as adverbs and then they are called adverb clauses. An adverb clause answers the following questions:
Where?
Why?
When?
How?
To what extent?
Under what condition?
In what manner?
How often?
An adverb clause is a subordinate clause that describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb. All adverb clauses start with a subordinating conjunction. Some of the most common subordinating conjunctions used for this purpose are: when, as, before, after, since, as if, as though, because, that, if, unless, whether, as long as, as soon as and as though.
Position
You can place an adverb clause in the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence.
- After the play ended, we sang the national anthem.
- I shall wait until you have finished dressing.
- I haven’t been to the cinema since I saw ‘The Sound of Music’.
- I read because I like reading.
- She spoke in such a low voice that few could hear her.