Adverb Clauses

Clauses that modify verbs: because, although, when, if, so that

intermediate

When to Use

•Time: when, while, before, after, until, as soon as.
•Reason: because, since, as.
•Contrast: although, though, even though, while, whereas.
•Condition: if, unless, provided that, as long as.
•Purpose: so that, in order that.

How to Form

Affirmative (+)

Main clause + subordinator + clause; OR Subordinator + clause, main clause

Negative (-)

Negate verb in either clause as needed

Question (?)

Why did you leave? Because I was tired.

💡 Comma after adverb clause when it comes first. No comma when it follows main clause.

Examples

✓Although it was raining, we went out.

✗Although it was raining we went out.

Comma after introductory adverb clause.

✓I'll wait until you're ready.

✗I'll wait until you'll be ready.

Present tense after time conjunctions for future.

✓She left because she was tired.

✗She left, because she was tired.

No comma when adverb clause follows.

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

• Adverb clause first → comma. Adverb clause last → no comma.
• Time clauses: use present for future (when I arrive, not when I will arrive).
• Don't combine although/though with but.
• Because answers 'why'; although shows contrast.

time-conjunctions contrast-conjunctions first-conditional 📝 clauses-intermediate 📝 adverb-clauses-quiz

Adverb Clauses

Clauses that modify verbs: because, although, when, if, so that

intermediate

When to Use

•Time: when, while, before, after, until, as soon as.
•Reason: because, since, as.
•Contrast: although, though, even though, while, whereas.
•Condition: if, unless, provided that, as long as.
•Purpose: so that, in order that.

How to Form

Affirmative (+)

Main clause + subordinator + clause; OR Subordinator + clause, main clause

Negative (-)

Negate verb in either clause as needed

Question (?)

Why did you leave? Because I was tired.

💡 Comma after adverb clause when it comes first. No comma when it follows main clause.

Examples

✓Although it was raining, we went out.

✗Although it was raining we went out.

Comma after introductory adverb clause.

✓I'll wait until you're ready.

✗I'll wait until you'll be ready.

Present tense after time conjunctions for future.

✓She left because she was tired.

✗She left, because she was tired.

No comma when adverb clause follows.

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

• Adverb clause first → comma. Adverb clause last → no comma.
• Time clauses: use present for future (when I arrive, not when I will arrive).
• Don't combine although/though with but.
• Because answers 'why'; although shows contrast.

time-conjunctions contrast-conjunctions first-conditional 📝 clauses-intermediate 📝 adverb-clauses-quiz

Adverb Clauses

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

Related

Adverb Clauses

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

Related

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

✗Because I was tired. I went home.

✗Although she's rich but she's unhappy.

✗I'll call you when I will arrive.

💡 Practice Tips

Related

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

✗Because I was tired. I went home.

✗Although she's rich but she's unhappy.

✗I'll call you when I will arrive.

💡 Practice Tips

Related