§ 17. Adverbial clauses of concession.

An adverbial clause of concession denotes the presence of some obstacle which nevertheless does not hinder the action expressed in the principal clause.

Adverbial clauses of concession are introduced by the following conjunctions and connectives: though, although, as,¹ no matter how, however, whoever, whatever, whichever. In official style they may also be introduced by the conjunctions notwithstanding that, in spite of the fact that.

1 enjoyed that day, though we travelled slowly, though it was

cold, though it rained. (Ch. Bronte)

¹ The conjunction as introduces adverbial the predicative stands first.

clauses of concession in which

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Although the young man's eyes remained upon him, he did not

speak ... (Cronin)

Troubled as he was, he never exposed his difficulties to her.

(D reiser)\

However much we may differ on the question of metaphysics,

I am convinced of your absolute integrity. (Cronin)

He went forward to meet his uncle prepared to suppress the

agitation he must feel, whatever news he was to hear. (Eliot)

§ 18. Adverbial clauses of result.

Adverbial clauses of result denote the result of the action ex­pressed in the principal clause. Very often adverbial clauses of this type have an additional meaning of degree.

Adverbial clauses of pure result are introduced by the conjunc­tion so that; they are usually separated from the principal clause by a comma.

Darkness had fallen and a keen blizzard was blowing, so that the streets were nearly deserted. (Conan Doyle)

Adverbial clauses of result with an additional meaning of de­gree are introduced by the conjunction that; in these cases we find the adverb so or the demonstrative pronoun such in the prin­cipal clause. Such clauses are not separated from the principal clause by a comma.

He is so weak physically that he can hardly move. (Shax&) Tom was in ecstasies — in such ecstasies that he even controlled his tongue and was silent. (Twain)

§ 19. Adverbial clauses of manner.

Adverbial clauses of manner characterize in a general way the action expressed in the principal clause. They are usually intro­duced by the conjunction as. In adverbial clauses of manner the idea of comparison is often implied.

... she did exactly as he told her. (Hardy)

Joe left the house as he had entered it ... (Cronin)

§ 20. Adverbial clauses of comparison.

Adverbial clauses of comparison denote an action with which the action of the principal clause is compared. They are intro­duced by the conjunctions than, as, as ... as, not so ... as, as if, as though.

Mr. Direck's broken wrist healed sooner than he desired. (Wells) We were going up the road as fast as we could. (Hemingway) He was white and jaded, as if he had not slept for many nights. (Wells) ~~~ ' : '

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She could see his lips moving, from time to time, as though he were talking to himself. (Cronin)

Note.—Some grammarians number among complex sentences, containing an adverbial clause of comparison, sentences of the following type:

The more he reflected on the idea the more he liked it. (Galsworthy) The nearer he drew to that grim citadel the faster his pulse raced. (Cronin)

This way of analysis is open to objection on the ground that in sen­tences of this type it is impossible to point out the principal and the subordinate clause as, strictly speaking, here we have mutual subordi­nation.