Things You'll Need:
- Sentences
- Clauses
- Words
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Step 1
An ‘adverb clause’ is a subordinate clause that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. It tells when, where, how, to what extent or under what conditions.
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Step 2
Example: ‘Before winter began,’ I planted bulbs. [The adverb clause tells when and modifies the verb planted.] Bulbs usually do well ‘if you use fertilizer’. [The adverb clause tells under what conditions and modifies the adverb well.]
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Step 3
Example: The flowers are beautiful ‘because the winter was mild’. [The adverb clause tells why and modifies the adjective beautiful.] In the colloquial speech of most cultures including English words tend to be omitted when they are easily inserted or understood.
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Step 4
‘Elliptical adverb clauses’ have words left out of them. You can easily supply the omitted words because they are understood or implied. Example: The hyacinths are more fragrant ‘than the tulips’ [are fragrant]. ‘While [I am] gardening,’ I always take time to enjoy the flowers.
