Kenneth Beare is an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher and course developer with over three decades of teaching experience.
Updated on July 20, 2019Adverb 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 didn't understand the exercise.
. because he didn't 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.
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.
When:
'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:
'Before' means 'before that moment'. It is important to remember that 'before' takes either the simple past OR the present.
After:
'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:
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' 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:
'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:
'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:
'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' 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, 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.
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:
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' and 'while' show clauses in direct opposition to each other. Notice that you should always use a comma with 'whereas' and 'while'.
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' clauses express the conditions necessary for the result. If clauses are followed by expected results based on the condition.
Even if:
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 won't pass the exam.
Whether or not:
'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' expresses the idea of 'if not' Example: Unless she hurries up, we won't arrive in time. MEANS THE SAME AS: If she doesn't hurry up, we won't arrive in time. 'Unless' is only used in the first conditional.
In case (that), in the event (that):
'In case' and 'in the event' usually mean that you don't expect something to happen, but if it does. Both are used primarily for future events.
Only if:
'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.
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 o'clock.. When the adverb clause finishes the sentence there is no need for a comma. Example: We had dinner after nine o'clock because he had to work late.
Because:
Notice how because can be used with a variety of tenses based on the time relationship between the two clauses.
Since:
'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' means the same as because. 'As long as' tends to be used in more informal spoken English.
As:
'As' means the same as because. 'As' tends to be used in more formal, written English.
Inasmuch as:
'Inasmuch as' means the same as because. 'Inasmuch as' is used in very formal, written English.
Due to the fact that:
'Due to the fact that' means the same as because. 'Due to the fact that' is generally used in very formal, written English.
Cite this Article Your CitationBeare, Kenneth. "Using Adverb Clauses with Time Expressions." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/using-adverb-clauses-with-time-expressions-1210680. Beare, Kenneth. (2023, April 5). Using Adverb Clauses with Time Expressions. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/using-adverb-clauses-with-time-expressions-1210680 Beare, Kenneth. "Using Adverb Clauses with Time Expressions." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/using-adverb-clauses-with-time-expressions-1210680 (accessed September 5, 2024).
copy citation What Are Reduced Adverb Clauses and How Do They Work? Conditional Forms A Short Guide to Punctuation How to Use Noun Clauses in English Subordinate Clauses: Concessive, Time, Place and Reason Clauses Past Unreal Conditional Exercises How to Use a Relative Clause The Right Way to Use 'Already' and 'Yet' in English How to Use Just in English Various Future Forms for English Learners Time Expressions and Tenses While, As, As/So Long As: Describing Action Visual Explanations of Each English Tense Past, Present, and Future Are Simple Tenses Guide to Expressions of Quantity The Basics of If SentencesWe and our 100 partners store and/or access information on a device, such as unique IDs in cookies to process personal data. You may accept or manage your choices by clicking below, including your right to object where legitimate interest is used, or at any time in the privacy policy page. These choices will be signaled to our partners and will not affect browsing data.
Store and/or access information on a device. Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising. Use profiles to select personalised advertising. Create profiles to personalise content. Use profiles to select personalised content. Measure advertising performance. Measure content performance. Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources. Develop and improve services. Use limited data to select content. List of Partners (vendors)