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