Lesson 263 - 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)

Sometimes the adverb clause is placed at the beginning of the sentence. When it introduces the sentence, it is always set off with a comma. 

 

Example: 

Before the game had ended, they arrived.

Than and as introduce clauses that are called elliptical clauses. That is they have some of their parts understood but not stated. 

 

Example: 

You are smarter than I. (am smart omitted) 

- than I modifies the comparative word smarter

Instructions: Complete the elliptical adverb clauses in the following sentences and tell what they modify.

1. My dog is older than I.

2. Jim can run faster than Jeff.

3. Pam spells more accurately than she keyboards.

4. He is trying as hard as James.

5. Barbara is a better tennis player than Jeanne.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. My dog is older than I am old.

- than I am old modifies the predicate adjective older

2. Jim can run faster than Jeff can run fast.

- than Jeff can run fast modifies faster

3. Pam spells more accurately than she keyboards accurately.

- than she keyboards accurately modifies accurately

4. He is trying as hard as James is trying hard.

- as James is trying hard modifies hard

5. Barbara is a better tennis player than Jeanne is a good tennis player.

- than Jeanne is a good tennis player modifies better

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