Complex Sentence (Adverbial Clause)

Adverbial clause is dependent clause which functions as an adverb and gives an information about verb, adjective, or adverb.

This clause usually combines with independent clause to form complex sentence. Complex sentence is a sentence contains by one independent clause and one dependent clause or more.

Adverbial clause gives additional information about independent clause to answer the example for example: how, when, where, why, or to what degree.

Adverbial clause is related with subordinate conjunction. For example: when, after, because, though, etc. that words are used to combine with independent clause.

Kind of adverbial clause: adverbial clause of time, place, cause & effect, purpose & result, condition, contrast/concession, manner and reason.

Form Complex Sentence:

{Subject(+be/verb)} = Independent Clause + Adverbial Clause

Form Adverbial Clause:

Subordinate Conjunction + S + V

Example Adverbial Clauses:

Complex Sentence	Explanation
She was cleaning the kitchen when she found so much expired food.	When = Subordinate conjunction; When he found so much expired food = Adverbial clause; He was cleaning the kitchen = Independent clause

Punctuation in Adverbial Clauses

Adverbial clause can be in front of sentence and followed by independent clause or independent clause can be in front of sentence and followed by adverbial clause.

Example Complex Sentence (Adverbial Clause):

·         In front: Because she had free time, she visited your house.

·         In the back: She visited your house because she had free time. 

The Punctuation of Adverbial Clause:

The Function	Example of Adverbial Clause in Sentences	Explanation
To give information about adverb	She drove fast in order that he could arrive on time	Adverb = Fast Subordinate conjunction = In order that Adverbial clause = In order that he could arrive on time
To give information about verb	You were eating when she arrived.	Verb = Were eating Subordinate conjunction = when Adverbial clause = when she arrived
To give information about adjective	Her face is beautiful because she always does exercise and eats fruits.	Adjective = beautiful Subordinate conjunction = because Adverbial clause = because she always does exercise and eats fruits

Basic Types of Adverbial Clauses

Types of Clause	Subordinate Conjunction	Example
Time clauses	When – as – while – since – before – after – until – as soon as	1.      Her father died when she was young. 2.      She was reading while the dinner was cooking 3.      I have not seen him since he returned to the country 4.      They will leave before you get here
Cause	Because – since – as – due to – owing to – on account of	1.      He could not come because (since-as) he was ill 2.      Owing to he has passed the examination, he can get his degree 3.      Jenny decided to become a partner since she loved to draw
Condition	If – provided that – providing that – in case that – unless	1.      We will not have a picnic unless the weather is good 2.      If I see Netty, I will invite her to our party tomorrow 3.      In case that next Friday is a National holiday, I will travel around Bali
Contrast	Although – though – even though – in spite of – despite – whereas	1.      Although (though) I felt very tied, I tried to finish the work 2.      In spite of princes went down recently, the company made a huge profit 3.      Abraham stopped to help the boy despite he was in hurry 4.      Some people spend their time by reading whereas others watch television
Purpose	In order that – so that – for the purpose that	1.      The students climbed higher in order that the might get better view 2.      He is saving his money so that he can go to collage