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Dependent Adverb Clause

What Is a Dependent Adverb Clause? (with Examples)

A dependent adverb clause (or subordinate adverb clause) is a dependent clause that plays the role of an adverb. For example:

• The otter surfaced occasionally.
(This is a normal adverb.)
• The otter surfaced when we looked the other way.
(This is a dependent adverb clause.)

Like all dependent clauses, a dependent adverb clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. Like all clauses, it will include a subject and a verb.

Examples of Dependent Adverb Clauses

Here are some examples of dependent adverb clauses (shaded):

A Dependent Adverb Clause as an Adverb of Time

• Press the button when I say I'm ready.
• Press the button now.
(The word now is a normal adverb of time.)

A Dependent Adverb Clause as an Adverb of Manner

• The shark circled like it meant business.
• The shark circled menacingly.
(The word menacingly is a normal adverb of manner.)

A Dependent Adverb Clause as an Adverb of Place

• Charlie used to run where his father ran as a boy.
• Charlie used to run here.
(The word here is a normal adverb of place.)
• Charlie used to run in the park.
(The phrase in the park is an adverbial phrase.)

Read more about adverbs.

As well as playing the role of an adjective, a dependent clause can act as an adjective or a noun.

Read more about dependent clauses.

The Link between a Dependent Clause and an Independent Clause

The link between a dependent adverb clause and an independent clause will often be a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun. For example:

• We used to read until the candles went out.
(subordinating conjunction in bold)
• The boy who won the lottery had only just turned 16.
(relative pronoun in bold)

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