Lesson 262 - Parts of the Sentence - Adverb Clauses

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A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause (which can stand alone and make sense) and a dependent clause (which must be attached to the independent clause to make sense). 

 

Example: 

The television was playing (independent clause) as I left the room (dependent clause). 

 

There are three kinds of dependent clauses: adjective clause, adverb clause, and noun clause.

An adverb clause is a dependent clause that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It usually modifies the verb.

Adverb clauses are introduced by subordinate conjunctions including after, although, as, as if, before, because, if, since, so that, than, though, unless, until, when, where, and while. These are just some of the more common ones.

Example: 

They arrived before the game had ended. 

- before the game had ended modifying arrived (telling when)

Instructions: Find the adverb dependent clauses in the following sentences and tell what they modify.

1. When you came from the garage, did you see the mower there?

2. Because the field was muddy, the game had to be cancelled.

3. Although you should return to class, just wait here for me.

4. As I sat motionless, the two squirrels came closer and closer.

5. Since I can spare only a few minutes, please be brief with your presentation.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. When you came from the garage, did you see the mower there?

- When you came from the garage modifies did see

2. Because the field was muddy, the game had to be cancelled.

- Because the field was muddy modifies the verbal to be cancelled

3. Although you should return to class, just wait here for me.

- Although you should return to class modifies wait

4. As I sat motionless, the two squirrels came closer and closer.

- As I sat motionless modifies came

5. Since I can spare only a few minutes, please be brief with your presentation.

- Since I can spare only a few minutes modifies the predicate adjective brief

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