A Guide on How to Use Adverbial Clauses of Time

Adverb clauses provide additional information about how something is done. They are much like adverbs in that they tell the reader when, why or how someone did something. All clauses contain a subject and a verb, adverb clauses are introduced by subordinating conjunctions. For example, Tom helped the student with the homework because he didnt understand the exercise. ... because he didnt understand the exercise explains why Tom helped and is an adverb clause. Begin by studying adverb clauses which are often called time clauses in English grammar books and follow specific patterns.   Punctuation When an adverb clause begins the sentence, use a comma to separate the two clauses. Example: As soon as he arrives, we will have some lunch. When the adverb clause finishes the sentence, there is no need for a comma. Example: He gave me a call when he arrived in town. Adverb Clauses with Time When: He was talking on the phone when I arrived.When she called, he had already eaten lunch.I washed the dishes when my daughter fell asleep.Well go to lunch when you come to visit. When means at that moment, at that time, etc.. Notice the different tenses used in relation to the clause beginning with when. It is important to remember that when takes either the simple past OR the present - the dependent clause changes tense in relation to the when clause. Before: We will finish before he arrives.She (had) left before I telephoned. Before means before that moment. It is important to remember that before takes either the simple past OR the present. After: We will finish after he comes.She ate after I (had) left. After means after that moment. It is important to remember that after takes the present for future events and the past OR past perfect for past events. While, as: She began cooking while I was finishing my homework.As I was finishing my homework, she began cooking. While and as are both usually used with the past continuous because the meaning of during that time  indicates an action in progress. By the time: By the time he finished, I had cooked dinner.We will have finished our homework by the time they arrive. By the time expresses the idea that one event has been completed before another. It is important to notice the use of the past perfect for past events and future perfect for future events in the main clause. This is because of the idea of something happening up to another point in time. Until, till: We waited until he finished his homework.Ill wait until you finish. Until and till express up to that time. We use either the simple present or simple past with until and till. Till is usually only used in spoken English. Since: I have played tennis since I was a young boy.They have worked here since 1987. Since means from that time. We use the present perfect (continuous) with since. Since can also be used with a specific point in time. As soon as: He will let us know as soon as he decides (or as soon as he has decided).As soon as I hear from Tom, I will give you a telephone call. As soon as means when something happens - immediately afterward. As soon as is very similar to when it emphasizes that the event will occur immediately after the other. We usually use the simple present for future events, although present perfect can also be used. Whenever, every time: Whenever he comes, we go to have lunch at Dicks.We take a hike every time he visits. Whenever and every time mean each time something happens. We use the simple present (or the simple past in the past) because whenever and every time express habitual action. The first, second, third, fourth, etc., next, last time: The first time I went to New York, I was intimidated by the city.I saw Jack the last time I went to San Francisco.The second time I played tennis, I began to have fun. The first, second, third, fourth, etc., next, last time means that specific time. We can use these forms to be more specific about which time of a number of times something happened. Adverb  Clauses Showing Opposition These type of clauses show an unexpected or non-self-evident result based on the dependent clause. Example:  He bought the car even though it was expensive. Take a look at the chart below to study the various usages of adverb clauses showing opposition. Punctuation: When an adverb clause begins the sentence use a comma to separate the two clauses. Example:  Even though it was expensive, he bought the car. When the adverb clause finishes the sentence there is no need for a comma. Example:  He bought the car even though it was expensive. Even though, though, although: Even though it was expensive, he bought the car.Though he loves doughnuts, he has given them up for his diet.Although the course was difficult, he passed with the highest marks. Notice how though, even though or although show a situation which is contrary to the main clause to express opposition. Even though, though and although are all synonyms. Whereas, while: Whereas you have lots of time to do your homework, I have very little time indeed.Mary is rich, while I am poor. Whereas and while show clauses in direct opposition to each other. Notice that you should always use a comma with whereas and while. Using Adverb Clauses to Express Conditions These type of clauses are often called if clauses in English grammar books and follow conditional  sentence patterns. Take a look at the chart below to study the various usage of different time expressions. Punctuation: When an adverb clause begins the sentence use a comma to separate the two clauses. Example:  If he comes, we will have some lunch.. When the adverb clause finishes the sentence there is no need for a comma. Example:  He would have invited me if he had known. If: If we win, well go to Kellys to celebrate!She would buy a house, if she had enough money. If clauses express the conditions necessary for the result. If clauses are followed by expected results based on the condition. Even if: Even if she saves a lot, she wont be able to afford that house. In contrast to sentences with if sentences with even if show a result that is unexpected based on the condition in the even if clause.  Example:  COMPARE: If she studies hard, she will pass the exam AND Even if she studies hard, she wont pass the exam. Whether or not: They wont be able to come whether or not they have enough money.Whether they have money or not, they wont be able to come. Whether or not expresses the idea that neither one condition or another matters; the result will be the same. Notice the possibility of inversion (Whether they have money or not) with whether or not. Unless: Unless she hurries up, we wont arrive in time.We wont go unless he arrives soon. Unless expresses the idea of if not  Example:  Unless she hurries up, we wont arrive in time. MEANS THE SAME AS: If she doesnt hurry up, we wont arrive in time.  Unless is only used in the first conditional. In case (that), in the event (that): In the case you need me, Ill be at Toms.Ill be studying upstairs in the event he calls. In case and in the event usually mean that you dont expect something to happen, but if it does... Both are used primarily for future events. Only if: Well give you your bicycle only if you do well on your exams.Only if you do well on your exams will we give you your bicycle. Only if means only in the case that something happens - and only if. This form basically means the same as if. However, it does stress the condition for the result. Note that when only if begins the sentence you need to invert the main clause. Adverb Clauses with Expressions of Cause and Effect These type of clauses explain the reasons for what happens in the main clause.  Example:  He bought a new home because he got a better job. Take a look at the chart below to study the various usages of different expressions of cause and effect. Note that all of these expressions are synonyms of because. Punctuation: When an adverb clause begins the sentence use a comma to separate the two clauses.  Example:  Because he had to work late, we had dinner after nine oclock.. When the adverb clause finishes the sentence there is no need for a comma.  Example:  We had dinner after nine oclock because he had to work late. Adverb Clauses of Cause and Effect Because: They received a high mark on their exam because they had studied hard.Im studying hard because I want to pass my exam.He works a lot of overtime because his rent is so expensive Notice how because can be used with a variety of tenses based on the time relationship between the two clauses. Since: Since he loves music so much, he decided to go to a conservatory.They had to leave early since their train left at 8.30. Since means the same as because. Since tends to be used in more informal spoken English.  Important note:  Since when used as a conjunction is typically used to refer to a period of time, while because implies a cause or reason. As long as: As long as you have the time, why dont you come for dinner? As long as means the same as because. As long as tends to be used in more informal spoken English. As: As the test is difficult, you had better get some sleep. As means the same as because. As tends to be used in more formal, written English. Inasmuch as: Inasmuch as the students had successfully completed their exams, their parents rewarded their efforts by giving them a trip to Paris. Inasmuch as means the same as because. Inasmuch as is used in very formal, written English. Due to the fact that: We will be staying for an extra week due to the fact that we have  not yet finished. Due to the fact that means the same as because. Due to the fact that is generally used in very formal, written English.