adverbial clauses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "adverbial clauses" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing grammar, specifically referring to clauses that function as adverbs in a sentence. Example: "In the sentence 'I will call you when I arrive,' the phrase 'when I arrive' is an adverbial clause that provides information about the timing of the action."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

In grammar, the predicate is the part of the sentence that tells something about the subject -- including the verb, the object and adverbial clauses along the way.

The New York Times - Magazine

This article concerns the sequential emergence of Finnish and Swedish insubordinated jos and om 'if' adverbial clauses in interaction from a synchronic, online use perspective.

Language Sciences

In the last two subtests (9, 10), there is an increase in both information and linguistic complexity by introducing prepositional phrases, adverbial clauses, and compound sentences combined in heterogeneous commands on many dimensions, as shown in Table 1.

BioMed Research International

Adverbial clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions, which connect the clause to the main sentence.

WikiHow

Adverbial clauses are always dependent because of these conjunctions, and they cannot stand on their own.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Subject + Intransitive Verb (+ Adverbial Clause); Transitive Verb + Direct Object (+ Adverbial 4 Clause).

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

Actions are typically used to represent sentences of the following constructions: Subject + Intransitive Verb (+ Adverbial Clause); Transitive Verb + Direct Object (+ Adverbial 4 Clause).

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

Adjectives and relative, adverbial, and infinitive clauses normally precede the term they modify, while inflections such as those for tense, number, person, and case are indicated with suffixes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It's being used as the means by which teachers are required to grade children's writing: good writing is supposedly writing that includes semi-colons, fronted adverbials, embedded relative clauses and expanded noun phrases.

The Guardian

The metaphoric strategy is to upgrade the interpersonal assessment from group rank to clause rank – from an adverbial group or prepositional phrase serving within a simple clause to a clause serving within a clause nexus of projection.

Functional Linguistics

Explicit modality is a metaphoric strategy of interpersonal assessment: The metaphoric strategy is to upgrade the interpersonal assessment from group rank to clause rank – from an adverbial group or prepositional phrase serving within a simple clause to a clause serving within a clause nexus of projection.

Functional Linguistics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "adverbial clauses", ensure they are correctly punctuated, especially when placed at the beginning of a sentence; a comma usually follows.

Common error

Avoid placing "adverbial clauses" in a way that creates ambiguity. Ensure the clause clearly modifies the intended verb or phrase.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "adverbial clauses" is to modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb within a sentence, providing additional information about time, place, reason, manner, condition, concession, purpose, or result. As Ludwig AI confirms, these clauses function adverbially.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "adverbial clauses" function as adverbs, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to provide context like time, reason, or condition. Ludwig AI confirms their grammatical correctness and usability. While not exceedingly common, they are prevalent in science, news, and wiki content. To use them effectively, ensure correct punctuation and avoid ambiguous placement. Alternatives include "adverbial phrases" and specific clause types like "clauses of time". This makes "adverbial clauses" a valuable tool for detailed and nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adverbial phrases

Focuses on the broader category of phrases functioning as adverbs, not necessarily clauses with a subject and verb.

clauses of time

Specifies a type of adverbial clause indicating when something happens.

clauses of reason

Specifies a type of adverbial clause indicating why something happens.

clauses of condition

Specifies a type of adverbial clause expressing a condition.

clauses of place

Specifies a type of adverbial clause indicating where something happens.

subordinate clauses

Refers to clauses that cannot stand alone as a sentence and often function as adverbs.

dependent clauses

Similar to subordinate clauses, emphasizing their reliance on an independent clause.

time adverbials

Highlights adverbs or adverbial phrases that specify time.

reason adverbials

Highlights adverbs or adverbial phrases that specify reason.

conditional adverbials

Highlights adverbs or adverbial phrases that express a condition.

FAQs

How do I identify an adverbial clause in a sentence?

An adverbial clause functions as an adverb and modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It often begins with a subordinating conjunction such as "when", "because", "if", or "although".

What's the difference between "adverbial clauses" and "adverbial phrases"?

An "adverbial clause" contains a subject and a verb, while an "adverbial phrase" does not. For example, "because it was raining" is an adverbial clause; "because of the rain" is an adverbial phrase.

Can "adverbial clauses" be removed from a sentence without affecting its core meaning?

While removing an "adverbial clause" might leave a grammatically correct sentence, it will eliminate the specific information the clause provides, such as time, reason, condition, or place.

What are some common subordinating conjunctions that introduce "adverbial clauses"?

Common subordinating conjunctions include "when", "where", "because", "if", "although", "since", "while", "unless", "as", "before", and "after".