Adverbial clauses

The name ‘adverbial’ suggests that adverbial clauses modify verbs; but they modify whole clauses, as shown by the examples in (8). Their other key property is that they are adjuncts, since they are typically optional constituents in sentences. They are traditionally classified according to their meaning, for example adverbial clauses of reason, time, concession, manner or condition, as illustrated below.

The adverbial clause of reason in (8a), Because Marianne loved Willoughby, gives the reason (or the writer uses it to give the reason) why Marianne refused to believe that Willoughby had gone. It modifies the main clause she refused to believe that he had deserted her.

The adverbial clause of time in (8b), When Fanny returned, gives the time at which another event happened, namely her finding Tom Bertram ill. It modifies the main clause she found Tom Bertram very ill.

The adverbial clause of concession in (8c), Although Mr D’Arcy disliked Mrs Bennet, conveys a concession. The writer says, as it were, ‘OK. I concede that he didn’t like Mrs Bennet. Nonetheless he married Elizabeth.’ The adverbial clause modifies the main clause he married Elizabeth.

The adverbial clause of manner in (8d), as the mood took him, describes the manner in which Henry changed his plans and modifies the main clause Henry changed his plans.

In (8e), the adverbial clause of condition If Emma had left Hartfield conveys the circumstances or conditions under which a particular situation would have arisen. The situation is Mr Woodhouse being unhappy, and the writer declares that this situation did not actually come about but would have done; Emma’s leaving Hartfield would have brought it about. The crucial fact is the relationship between the two situations; Mr Woodhouse’s being unhappy is conditional upon Emma’s leaving Hartfield. The adverbial clause of condition modifies the main clause Mr Woodhouse would have been unhappy.