Adverbial clauses

8.6 There are eight types of adverbial clause:

kind of clause	usual conjunction	paragraphs
time clauses	when, before, after, since, while, as, until	paragraphs 8.8 to 8.24
conditional clauses	if, unless	paragraphs 8.25 to 8.42
purpose clauses	in order to, so that	paragraphs 8.43 to 8.48
reason clauses	because, since, as	paragraphs 8.49 to 8.53
result clauses	so that	paragraphs 8.54 to 8.64
concessive clauses	although, though, while	paragraphs 8.65 to 8.72
place clauses	where, wherever	paragraphs 8.73 to 8.77
clauses of manner	as, like, the way	paragraphs 8.78 to 8.82

Non-finite clauses, when they begin with a subordinating conjunction, are dealt with in the sections dealing with adverbial clauses. Non-finite clauses which do not begin with a subordinating conjunction are dealt with separately in paragraphs 8.117 to 8.133. Other structures which function like non-finite clauses are described in paragraphs 8.134 to 8.136.

8.7 The usual position for an adverbial clause is just after the main clause.

I couldn't think of a single thing to say after he'd replied like that.

The performances were cancelled because the leading man was ill.

However most types of adverbial clause can be put in front of a main clause.

When the city is dark, we can move around easily.

Although crocodiles are inactive for long periods, on occasion they can run very fast indeed.

Occasionally, you can put an adverbial clause in the middle of another clause, although this is unusual.

They make allegations which, when you analyse them, do not have too many facts behind them.

There are a few types of adverbial clause which always go after a main clause: other types always go in front of one. This is explained in the sections dealing with the different types of clause.

Time clauses

8.8 Time clauses are used to say when something happens by referring to a period of time or to another event.

Her father died when she was young.

Stocks of food cannot be brought in before the rains start.

He was detained last Monday after he returned from a business trip overseas.

When I first saw the wreckage I just didn't expect there to be so many survivors.

Time clauses can be used after adjuncts of time.

He mentioned his plans to her early one morning, before he left for the paddy fields.

I want to see you for a few minutes at twelve o'clock, when you go to lunch.

Adjuncts of time are explained in Chapter 5.

8.9 When you are talking about the past or the present, the verb in a time clause has the same tense that it would have in a main clause or in a simple sentence.

I was standing by the window when I heard her speak.

I haven't given him a thing to eat since he arrived.

I look after the children while she goes to London.

However, if the time clause refers to something that will happen or exist in the future, you use the simple present tense, not a future tense.

For example, you say 'When he comes, I will show him the book', not 'When he will come, I will show him the book'.

As soon as we get the tickets, we'll send them to you.

He wants to see you before he dies.

Let the stay here till Jeannie comes to bed.

If you mention an event in a time clause which will happen before an event referred to in the main clause, you use the present perfect tense in the time clause, not the future perfect tense.

For example, you say 'When you have had your supper, come and see me', not 'When you will have had your supper, come and see me'.

We won't be getting married until we've saved enough money.

Tell the DHSS as soon as you have retired.

8.10 The most common conjunction in time clauses is 'when'. 'When' is used to say that something happened, happens, or will happen on a particular occasion.

When the telegram came and I read of his death, I couldn't believe it.

He didn't know how to behave when they next met.

8.11 You can mention the circumstances in which something happens or happened by using 'when', 'while', or 'as'.

The train has automatic doors that only open when the train is stationary.

While he was still in the stable, there was a loud knock at the front door.

He would swim beside the as I rowed in the little dinghy.

'Whilst' is a more formal form of 'while'.

Two were mere lodgers whom we looked after whilst their mistress was away.

USAGE NOTE 8.12 If you want to emphasize that something happened at a particular time, you can use 'It was' followed by an expression such as 'six o'clock' or 'three hours later', followed by a 'when'-clause.

For example, instead of saying 'I left at six o'clock', you say 'It was six o'clock when I left'.

It was about half past eight when he arrived at Sutwick.

It was late when he returned.

This is an example of a cleft structure. Cleft structures are explained in paragraphs 10.25 to 10.30.

repeated events 8.13 If you want to say that something always happened or happens in particular circumstances, you use 'when', 'whenever', 'every time', or 'each time'.

When he talks about the Church, he does sound like an outsider.

Whenever she had a cold, she ate only fruit.

Every time I go to that class I panic.

He flinched each time she spoke to him.

8.14 You use an expression such as 'the first time', 'the next time', or 'the third time' to say that something happened during one occurrence of an event.

The last time we talked he said he needed another two days.

The next time I come here, I'm going to be better.

events in sequence 8.15 You can also use 'when', 'after', or 'once' to talk about one event happening immediately after another.

When old Thrussel died, his widow came to the and said that he wished to be buried in the churchyard.

Stop the when you've had enough.

The turtle returns to the see after it has laid its eggs.

Once environmental damage is done, it takes many years for the system to recover.

If you want to say how long one event happened after another, you put a noun group such as 'two days' or 'three years' in front of 'after'.

Exactly six weeks after she had arrived, she sent a cable to her husband and caught the plane back to New York.

'As soon as', 'directly', 'immediately', 'the moment', 'the minute', and 'the instant' are all used to talk about one event happening a very short time after another.

They heart voices as soon as they pushed open the door.

The moment Stagg had finished, he and the other two scientists were subjected to a barrage of questions.

Immediately the meal was over, it was time for prayer.

8.16 When you want to say that something happened, happens, or will happen at an earlier time than something else, you use 'before'.

It was necessary for them to find a roof to live under before the cold weather set in.

They had not even bothered to bury their comrades before they fled.

Before man exterminated the rabbits they were the staple food both of the foxes and the wildcats.

If you want to say how long one event happened before another, you put a noun group such as 'three weeks' or 'a short time' in front of 'before'.

He had a review with the second organiser, about a month before the report was written.

Long before you return she will have forgotten you.

8.17 When you are telling a story, you sometimes want to say what was happening when a particular event occurred. You first say what was happening, then add a clause beginning with 'when' in which you mention the event.

I had just started back for the house to change my clothes when I heard voices.

He was having his Christmas dinner when the telephone rang.

If you want to say that one event happened a very short time after another, you use a clause in the past perfect tense, followed by a time clause in the simple past tense. After 'had' in the first clause, you put 'no sooner' of 'hardly'.

When you use 'no sooner', the time clause begins with 'than'.

I had no sooner checked into the hotel than he arrived with the appropriate documents.

When you use 'hardly', the time clause begins with 'when' or 'before'.

He had hardly got his eyes open before she told him that they were leaving.

'No sooner' or 'hardly' is often put at the beginning of the first clause, followed by 'had' and the subject.

No sooner had he asked the question than the answer came to him.

Hardly had the din faded behind them when they came upon another shouting crowd.

Hardly had Lamin wolfed down his meal before he flopped back onto the soft moss.

8.18 When something is the case because of a new situation, you can say what is the case and then add a subordinate clause saying what the new situation is. The subordinate clause begins with 'now' or 'now that'.

I feel better now I've talked to you.

He soon discovered how much faster he could travel now that he was alone.

saying when a situation began 8.19 If you want to say that a situation started to exist at a particular time and still exists, you use 'since' or 'ever since'. In the time clause, you use the simple past tense.

I've been in politics since I was at university.

It's been making money ever since it opened.

You also use 'since' or 'ever since' to say that a situation started to exist at a particular time, and still existed at a later time. In the time clause, you use the simple past tense or the past perfect tense.

He slept alone, as he had done ever since he left Didcot.

Back in Caen, Janine had been busy ever since she had heard the news.

If you are mentioning someone's age at the time when a situation started, you always use the simple past tense.

I was seven years older than Wendy and had known her since she was twelve.

'Since' is also used in reason clauses. This is explained in paragraph 8.50.

saying when a situation ends 8.20 If you want to say that a situation stopped when something happened, you use 'until' or 'till'.

I stayed there talking to them until I saw Sam Ward leave the building.

He grabbed the and shook the till my teeth rattled.

You also use 'until' or 'till' to say that a situation will stop when something happens in the future. In the time clause you use the simple present tense or the present perfect tense.

Stay with the until I go.

We'll support them till they find work.

Tell him I won't discuss anything until I've spoken to my wife.

8.21 'By which time', 'at which point', 'after which', 'whereupon', and 'upon which' are also used at the beginning of time clauses.

You use 'by which time' to say that something had already happened or will already have happened before the event you have just mentioned.

He came back eight months later, by which time the Japanese had decided to say yes.

You use 'at which point' to say that something happened immediately after the event you have just mentioned.

Later, service trades such as toolmaking and blacksmithing appeared, at which point the simple swapping of produce was no longer feasible.

You use 'after which' to say that a situation started to exist or will start to exist after the event you have just mentioned.

The clothes were sent away for chemical analysis, after which they were never seen again.

You use 'thereupon' or 'upon which' to say that something happened immediately after the event you have just mentioned and was a result of it.

His department was shut down, whereupon he returned to Calcutta.

Sally more or less implied that we did, upon which Howard flew into a great rage.

8.22 You can use a clause beginning with 'when' after a question beginning with 'why'. For example, you can say 'Why should I help her when she never helps me?' However this clause is not a time clause, in your question, you are expressing surprise or disagreement at something that has been said, and the 'when'-clause indicates the reason for your surprise or disagreement.

Why should he do the an injury when he has already saved my life?

Why worry her when it's all over?

8.23 Instead of using a finite time clause, you can often use a non-finite clause.

For example, you can say 'I often read a book when travelling by train', meaning 'I often read a book when I am travelling by train', and you can say 'When finished, the building will be opened by the Prince of Wales', meaning 'When it is finished, the building will be opened by the Prince of Wales'.

Adults sometimes do not realize their own strength when dealing with children.

Mark watched us while pretending not to.

I deliberately didn't read the book before going to see the film.

After evicting the inhabitants, he declared the houses derelict.

They had not spoken a word since leaving the party.

Michael used to look hurt and surprised when scolded.

Once convinced of the necessity of a move he worked with persistence and diplomacy until the college found a new home.

Note that you can only use a non-finite clause when it does not need to have a new subject, that is, when it is about the same thing as the clause.

8.24 For some statements about time, you can use a phrase consisting of 'when', 'while', 'once', 'until', or 'till', followed by a prepositional phrase or an adjective.

For example, you can say, 'When in Paris, you should visit the Louvre', meaning 'When you are in Paris, you should visit the Louvre'.

He had read of her elopement while at Oxford.

Man acquires great technological mastery of this world but, when under threat, reverts with terrifying ease to his primitive past.

Steam or boil them until just tender.

You can use a phrase consisting of 'when', 'whenever', 'where', or 'wherever' and an adjective such as 'necessary' or 'possible'.

For example, you can say 'You should take exercise whenever possible', meaning 'You should take exercise whenever it is possible'.

She had previously spoken seldom and then only when necessary.

It paid to speak the truth whenever possible.

Help must be given where necessary.

All experts agree that, wherever possible, children should learn to read in their own way.