Adverb Clauses – Definition, How to Use & Examples

Similar to adverbs, adverb clauses serve the purpose of describing or offering additional information about verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. This article about adverb clauses aims to assist you in understanding their definition and usage, supported by examples.

What Is an Adverb Clause?

An adverb clause is like a special group of words that acts just like a regular adverb. You can spot it by asking questions like when, where, how, why, or how often. To really get what adverb clauses are all about, take a look at these simple definitions.

An adverb clause is a group of words that works like an adverb but hangs out in a bigger sentence. The Oxford Dictionary of English Grammar says an adverb clause is just any group of words (whether it has a verb or not) that acts like an adverb.

How to Use Adverb Clauses?

Adverb clauses, as we talked about before, help us understand more about actions by telling us when, where, under what conditions, how, and why they happen. They also describe adjectives and adverbs. Just remember, adverb clauses start with special words like ‘after’, ‘whether’, ‘if’, ‘because’, ‘although’, ‘even though’, and more.

These adverb clauses can pop up at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of a sentence. Let’s check out some examples to see how they work in different parts of a sentence.

Examples of Adverb Clauses

Here are a few examples of adverb clauses to help you to hold how to use them well in your writing and when speaking.

Examples of Adverb Clauses Used in the Beginning of a Sentence

1. After the rain stopped, we went for a walk.
2. Because she studied hard, Maria aced the exam.
3. Although it was late, they decided to continue the meeting.
4. If you finish your homework early, you can join us for dinner.
5. Since they were running late, they took a taxi to the airport.

Examples of Adverb Clauses Used in the Middle of a Sentence

1. We went to the beach, where we enjoyed the sun and surf.
2. The team played well in the tournament, although they faced tough competition.
3. She worked hard on the project, because she wanted to impress her boss.
4. The children played outside, until it started to rain.
5. They decided to go on a road trip, if the weather improved.

Examples of Adverb Clauses Used in the End of a Sentence

1. We decided to go for a hike, when the weather clears up.
2. He will come to the party, if he finishes his work on time.
3. She completed the assignment on her own, even though it was challenging.
4. The movie was more interesting than I expected, because the plot was so engaging.
5. They decided to postpone the meeting, since some members were absent.