“She wondered sometimes if her brother felt that impatience of spirit too, if something like it had had anything to do with his ending up at a small Border station, however tactically important, although his prospects, when he graduated from university, had suggested something better.” (McKinley, 2000)
An Adverbial clause is a dependent clause that functions as an adverb – defines a verb – in a sentence. It answers adverb questions: How? When? or Why?
An adverbial clause contains a subject and a verb and begins with a subordinating conjunction that keeps the clause from expressing a complete thought.
“When I was a boy, I used to wander where my mother came from, how she got on this earth. When I asked her where she was from, she would say, “God made me,” and change the subject. When I asked her if she was white, she’d say, “No, I’m light-skinned,” and change the subject again. Answering questions about her personal history did not jibe with Mommy’s view of parenting twelve curious, wild, brown-skinned children. Since she refused to divulge details about herself or her past, and because my stepfather was largely unavailable to deal with questions about himself or Ma, what I learned of Mommy’s past I learned from my siblings.” (McBride, J., 1996, p. 15)
Common Problems with Adverbial Clauses
1. A subordinator and a coordinator are used to connect an adverbial clause to an independent clause.
e.g. Although I want to learn English, but I find studying very difficult.
2. A subordinator has the wrong meaning.
e.g. Bob refuses to wear a tie while the restaurant requires one.
3. A preposition is used instead of a clause.
e.g. John could not travel to Mexico because of his passport expired.
4. An adverb has been used instead of a subordinator.
e.g. Especially my aunt likes hamburgers, we always buy one for her.
5. An adverbial clause is a fragment.
e.g. While the store was open. Harriet bought some soft drinks.
6. The future tense is used in an adverbial clause of time.
e.g. After we will get home, we will call you.
7. The adverbial clause in the beginning of a sentence is not followed by a comma or a comma was used in the middle.
e.g. Jane likes Davis, because it is a small town. Because Davis is a small town Marjorie likes it.
Comma Use
1. If the adverbial clause introduces the sentence, place a comma between it and the main clause.
e.g. Wherever I go, I can see only trees.
2. If the adverbial clause follows the main clause in a sentence, do not place a comma between the two.
e.g. I can see only trees wherever I go.
3. Always put a comma with adverbial clauses of contrast that begin with conjunctions though, even though, whereas, etc.
e.g. I want a new computer, even though I already have three computers at home.