Adverbial Clause and Subordinate Conjunctions

An adverbial clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a verb in the main clause or another subordinate clause. It answers questions like when, where, why, or how. The adverbial clause begins with a subordinate conjunction. The following table lists some more common subordinate conjunctions.

although	only if
as	provided that
as if	since
as long as	so
as much as	supposing
as soon as	that
as though	than
because	though
before	till
by the time	unless
even if	until
even though	when
if	whenever
in order that	where
in case	whereas
in the event that	wherever
lest	whether or not
now that	while
once

Consider the following examples:

After I get paid, I will take you out to dinner.

The phrase, After I get paid, is a complete clause because it contains a subject/predicate pair – I get paid. This clause modifies the verb in the main clause by answering the question: WHEN the action in the main clause will occur. It will occur – After I get paid – Thus, it is an adverbial clause because it modifies a verb.

An adverbial clause is a subordinate clause that needs a subordinate conjunction to connect it to the main clause. In the first example, the conjunction, After, connects the subordinate to the main clause.

Each of these subordinate conjunctions in the above table will begin an adverbial clause. However, the subordinate can go before or after the element it modifies. If the subordinate clause precedes the main clause, then the two clauses must be separated with a comma. On the other hand, a comma is not needed if the main clause precedes the adverbial clause. One reason for this rule is to assure emphasis on the main clause.

Examples Needing Commas

Although I do not know much about Plato (subordinate adverbial clause separated with comma), I will learn more about him in my upcoming philosophy course (main clause).

Since I will not get paid until next week (subordinate adverbial clause separated with comma), I will wait to go to the movies (main clause).

When we speak of nature in this manner, we have a distinct but

most poetical sense in the mind. (Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nature, 1836)

In each of the above sentences, the main clause comes after the modifying subordinate clause. A comma creates a pause to let the readers know that the main clause is forthcoming. Placing the subordinate adverbial clause before the main clause adds more meaning to the clause.

Examples Not Needing Commas

I will take you out to dinner (main clause) although I cannot afford it (subordinate adverbial clause separated with NO comma).

I will follow this road (main clause) wherever it may lead me (subordinate adverbial clause separated with NO comma).

You will earn more money if you work harder.

In the above sentences, there is no need for a comma to create a pause because the main clause is already stated.

Beginning a sentence with an adverbial clause can create a sense of suspense or introduce a concept. Consider the following complex sentence beginning with a subordinate adverbial clause.

As the hot sun rose high on the fourth day of May, the tension on campus grew higher and hotter.

Let’s consider other complex sentences with the same structure.

As the Vietnam War escalated in the jungles of Cambodia, the American people continued to shout, “Stop the War!”

As the psychedelic revolution of the 1960s gave rise to the anti-establishment movement of the 1970s, I was just beginning to learn about the things that make the world twist and turn this world in so many different directions.

Adverbial Clauses in the Development of Arguments

Adverbial clauses are effective at presenting arguments with well-articulated premise indicators. A premise indicator is a subordinate conjunction that indicates that the clause will establish a premise in support of a conclusion.

The subordinate conjunction, since, is a premise indicator. for example,

Since the project must be completed by next Friday, we need to hire more workers.

The subordinating conjunction – since – connects the subordinate clause to the main clause, which is the conclusion in the main clause – we need to hire more workers. Thus, we have the full argument – Since the project must be completed by next Friday, we need to hire more workers.

Let’s consider the following sentence that forms an argument

Since more power to the voters could strengthen the security of the nation, more laws should be passed to ensure a fair and impartial elections.

The conclusion is – more laws should be passed to ensure a fair and impartial election. The premise supporting that conclusion is – Since more power to the voters could strengthen the security of the nation,

The subordinating conjunction – Since – indicates that the supporting premise is about to follow. The subordinating adverbial clause could have followed the conclusion. for example,

More laws should be passed to ensure a fair and impartial election since more power to the voters could strengthen the security of the nation,

Notice that in this particular case, no comma is needed to separate the two clauses because the sentence begins with the conclusion.

The subordinate conjunction – if – is also a premise indicator that begins a hypothetical statement. A hypothetical statement can form a solid argument by presenting a hypothetical condition that will initiate a conclusion stated in the main clause if the condition in the subordinating clause is present. for example,

If people continue to ignore traffic laws, the number of traffic accidents will rise.

The argument in the above statement is that ignoring traffic laws will cause more traffic accidents. This conditional statement may lead to another conclusion expressed in a simple but strong sentence.

therefore, obey all traffic laws.

Combining two complex sentences with premise indicators to support a conclusion can help develop a stronger argument. for example:

If the content of the lesson is not effectively delivered, then the learners will be deprived of a good education. If our goal is to provide the learners with a quality education, then we must develop a plan to effectively deliver the content of the lesson. In fact, our goal is to provide the learners with a high-quality education. therefore, we must develop a plan to effectively deliver the content of the lesson.

The above argument employs a series of hypothetical statements to establish a straightforward conclusion. This series of statements can be written in symbolic logic.

for example:

let A represent: If the content of the lesson is not effectively delivered,

Let B represent: then the learners will be deprived of a good education

Lec C represent: If our goal is to provide the learners with a quality education,

Let D represent: then we must develop a plan to effectively deliver the content of the lesson

If A, then B.

If B, then C.

A

therefore, C.

Let’s put that syllogism in a real-life situation.

If I work hard,then I will get a raise in pay.

If I get a raise in pay, then I will have more money to spend.

I will work hard.

therefore, I will have more money to spend.

An examination of the structure of the above syllogism positively shows that the argument is valid. However, logic is another topic. Nevertheless, the adverbial clause will play an essential role in written arguments.

More often than not, complex writing will employ a combination of adverbial and adjective clauses. Let’s consider a sentence from a famous author, Thomas Paine, in his essay, The Age of Reason.

Soon after I had published the pamphlet Common Sense, in America, I saw the exceeding probability that a revolution in the system of government would be followed by a revolution in the system of religion (Thomas Paine, Age of Reason, 1807).

The main clause of this sentence is – I saw the exceeding probability. The clause – Soon after I had published the pamphlet Common Sense, in America – is an adverbial clause adding information about the verb – saw. It identifies when Paine saw the exceeding probability. The direct object of the main clause is – the exceeding possibility, but it is not any exceeding possibility. It is modified by the adjective clause – that a revolution in the system of government would be followed by a revolution in the system of religion.

Most complex English writings will employ a combination of different clauses together. Now that the different modifying phrases and clauses have been discussed, it is time to examine complex text in real world situations.

Wherefore, though we have been wise enough to shut and lock a door against absolute monarchy, we at the same time have been foolish enough to put the crown in possession of the key (Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776).