This document provides examples and explanations of different types of adverb clauses used to express conditions, contrasts, causes, and effects. It discusses the punctuation rules for different types of adverb clauses and the conjunctions that can introduce each type, such as "because," "even though," "if," "unless," "while," and "whereas." The document also covers inversion of subjects and verbs after "only if" and emphasizes that adverb clauses are dependent and cannot stand alone as sentences.

1. Compiled by:

2. 17-1 INTRODUCTION (359)
(a) When we were in New York, we When we were in New York is an
saw several plays. adverb clause.
(b) We saw several plays when we PUNCTUATION: When an adverb
were in New York. clause precedes an independent
clause, as in (a), a comma is used to
separate the clauses. When the adverb
clause follows, as in (b), usually no
comma is used.
(c) Because he was sleepy, he went to Like when, because introduces an
bed. adverb clause.
(d) He went to bed because he was Because he was sleepy is an adverb
sleepy. clause.
(e) INCORRECT: When we were in New Adverb clauses are dependent clauses.
York. We saw several plays. They cannot stand alone as a sentence
( f) INCORRECT: He went to bed. in written English. They must be
Because he was sleepy. connected to an independent clause.

3. 17-2 USING ADVERB CLAUSES TO SHOW CAUSE AND EFFECT
(362)
because (a) Because he was sleepy, An adverb clause may precede or
he went to bed. follow the independent clause. Notice
(b) He went to bed the punctuation in (a) and (b).
because he was sleepy.
now that (c) Now that the semester Now that means "because now." In (c):
is over, I'm going to rest a Now that the semester is over means
few days and then take a "because the semester is now over."
trip. Now that is used for present causes of
(d) Jack lost his job. Now present or future situations.
that he's unemployed, he
can't pay his bills.

4. since (e) Since Monday is a When since is used to mean "because,"
holiday, we don't have to it expresses a known cause; it means
go to work. "because it is a fact that" or "given that
(f) Since you're a good it is true that." Cause and effect
cook and I'm not, you sentences with since say: "Given the
should cook the dinner. fact that X is true, Y is the result." In
(e): "Given the fact that Monday is a
holiday, we don't have to go to work."
Note: Since has two meanings. One is
"because." It is also used in time
clauses: e.g., Since I came here, I have
met many people. See Chart 5-2, p. 72.

5. 17-3 EXPRESSING CONTRAST (UNEXPECTED RESULT):
USING EVEN THOUGH (363)
(a) Because the weather was cold, I Because is used to express expected
didn't go swimming. results.
(b) Even though the weather was cold, Even though is used to express
I went swimming. unexpected results.
(c) Because I wasn't tired, I didn't go to Note: Like because, even though
bed. introduces an adverb clause.
(d) Even though I wasn't tired, I went
to bed.

6. 17-4 SHOWING DIRECT CONTRAST: WHILE AND WHEREAS (366)
(a) Mary is rich, while John is poor. While and whereas are used to show
(b) John is poor, while Mary is rich. direct contrast: "this" is exactly the
(c) Mary is rich, whereas John is poor. opposite of "that." While and whereas
(d) Whereas Mary is rich, John is poor. may be used with the idea of either
clause with no difference in meaning.
Whereas mostly occurs in formal
written English.
Note: A comma is usually used even if
the adverb clause comes second.
COMPARE While is also used in time clauses and
(e) While I was studying, the phone means "during the time that," as in (e).
rang. See Chart 5-29 P. 72.

7. 17-5 EXPRESSING CONDITIONS IN ADVERB CLAUSES: IF-
CLAUSES (367)
(a) If it rains, the streets get If-clauses (also called "adverb clauses of
wet. condition") present possible conditions. The
main clause expresses results.
In (a): POSSIBLE CONDITION = it rains
RESULT = the streets get wet
(b) If it rains tomorrow, I will A present tense, not a future tense, is used in
take my umbrella. an if-clause even though the verb in the if-
clause may refer to a future event or situation,
as in (b).
WORDS THAT INTRODUCE ADVERB CLAUSES OF CONDITION (IF-CLAUSES)
If in case unless
whether or not in the event that only if
even if

8. 17-6 ADVERB CLAUSES OF CONDITION: USING WHETHER OR
NOT AND EVEN IF (368)
WHETHER OR NOT Whether or not expresses the idea
(a) I'm going to go swimming that neither this condition nor that
tomorrow whether or not it is cold. condition matters; the result will be
(OR: whether it is cold or not.) the same. In (a): "If it is cold, I'm going
swimming. If it is not cold, I'm going
swimming. I don't care about the
temperature. It doesn't matter."
EVEN IF Sentences with even if are close in
(b) I have decided to go swimming meaning to those with whether or
tomorrow. Even if the weather is cold, not. Even if gives the idea that a
I'm going to go swimming. particular condition does not matter.
The result will not change.

9. 17-7 ADVERB CLAUSES OF CONDITION: USING IN CASE AND IN
THE EVENT THAT (369)
(a) I'll be at my uncle's house in In case and in the event that express the
case you (should) need to reach idea that something probably won't
me. happen, but it might.
(b) In the event that you (should) In case/in the event that means "if by
need to reach me, I'll be at my chance this should happen."
uncle's house. Notes: In the event that is more formal
than in case.
The use of should in the adverb clause
emphasizes the speaker's uncertainty that
something will happen.

10. 17-8 ADVERB CLAUSES OF CONDITION: USING UNLESS (370)
(a) I'll go swimming tomorrow unless unless = if . . . not
it's cold. In (a): unless it's cold means "if it isn't
(b) I'll go swimming tomorrow if it isn’t cold."
cold. (a) and (b) have the same meaning.
17-9 ADVERB CLAUSES OF CONDITION: USING ONLY IF (371)
(a) The picnic will be canceled only if it rains. Only if expresses the idea that
If it's windy, we'll go on the picnic. there is only one condition
If it's cold, we'll go on the picnic. that will cause a particular
If it's damp and foggy, we'll go on the picnic. result.
If it's unbearably hot, we'll go on the picnic.
(b) Only if it rains will the picnic be canceled. When only if begins a
sentence, the subject and verb
of the main clause are
inverted, as in (b). No commas
are used.