Grammar
Adverb clauses: show time, reason, condition, and contrast
When the meeting ends, I will send the notes. The clause when the meeting ends tells us when the speaker will send them.
Use an adverb clause to show time, reason, condition, or contrast, and place it clearly with suitable punctuation.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
Although the shop was busy, the assistant helped us quickly. /ɔːlˈðəʊ ðə ʃɒp wəz ˈbɪzi, ði əˈsɪstənt helpt ʌs ˈkwɪkli/
The short answer
Use an adverb clause with a main clause to show time, reason, condition, or contrast. Start the adverb clause with a linking word such as when, because, if, unless, or although. If the adverb clause comes first, use a comma before the main clause. If it follows the main clause, a comma is not usually needed.
Because the train was delayed, we called the hotel.
Why it works: Because the train was delayed gives the reason for calling the hotel.
5 more examples
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After Maya finished her shift, she called her sister.
The clause tells us when Maya called her sister.
Not this:Maya called her sister
after she finished her shift. What changes: The time clause can follow the main clause. In this position, a comma is not usually needed. -
Because the road was closed, we took the train.
The clause gives the reason for taking the train.
Not this:We took the train
because the road was closed. What changes: The reason is the same, but the main clause comes first. -
If the printer stops working, call the office.
The clause gives the condition that leads to the instruction.
Not this:Call the office
if the printer stops working. What changes: The instruction comes first, so the condition clause usually has no comma before it. -
Although the shop was busy, the assistant helped us quickly.
The clause sets up an idea that might make quick help less expected.
Not this:The assistant helped us quickly
although the shop was busy. What changes: The contrast remains clear when the clause follows the main clause. -
Unless you save the file, your changes may disappear.
Unless means if not. Saving the file is the condition that prevents the changes from disappearing.
Not this:Your changes may disappear
unless you save the file. What changes: The warning is the main clause, and the unless clause states the condition.
Read the full guide
An adverb clause has a subject and a verb, but it does not usually stand alone. It depends on a main clause to complete the thought. In We stayed inside because the rain was heavy, the main clause is We stayed inside. The adverb clause because the rain was heavy explains the reason.
Start with the relationship between the ideas
An adverb clause explains the relationship between one action and another. Ask what the second clause adds. It may give a time, a reason, a condition, or a contrast. The answer helps you choose the linking word.
When the library opens, I will return the books.
When tells us the time of returning the books.
We left early because the last bus was at ten.
Because gives the reason for leaving early.
What relationship does if show in 'If the weather improves, we can eat outside'?
It shows a condition. Better weather is needed before eating outside becomes possible.
Build a complete adverb clause
An adverb clause begins with a linking word and contains a subject and a verb. It cannot usually carry the whole message by itself. Because the road was closed leaves the listener waiting for the result. Add a main clause to finish the thought.
Because the road was closed, we took the train.
The road was closed has a subject and a verb. We took the train is the main clause that completes the sentence.
Although Sam was tired, he finished the report.
Although connects the tiredness with a result that might seem unexpected.
Which words complete this clause: 'because the manager ____ late'?
Use a verb such as arrived or was. The clause needs a subject and a verb.
Choose time, reason, condition, or contrast
Use when, before, after, and until to put events in order. Use because when one situation explains another. Use if for a possible condition and unless for a condition with a negative meaning. Use although when the second idea differs from what you might expect.
Before the guests arrive, we will set the table.
Before gives the time order. The table will be set earlier than the guests' arrival.
Unless you charge the phone, it may switch off.
Unless means if not. Charging the phone can prevent the result.
Which linker fits a contrast: because or although?
Use although when the two ideas contrast. Use because when one idea gives the reason for the other.
Place the clause and use the comma
An adverb clause can come before or after the main clause. Put a comma after it when it comes first. When the main clause comes first, you do not usually need a comma before a following time, reason, condition, or contrast clause.
If the form is complete, the team can process it today.
The if clause comes first, so a comma separates it from the main clause.
The team can process the form today if it is complete.
The condition follows the main clause, so there is usually no comma.
Where does the comma go in 'When the film ends we can talk'?
Put it after ends: When the film ends, we can talk.
Check future meaning after when and if
A time or condition clause can refer to the future without using will. After when, before, after, until, and if, use a present form for the condition or time. Put will, can, may, or another suitable future result in the main clause when needed.
When the meeting ends, I will send the notes.
Ends is present simple after when, even though sending the notes is in the future.
If the printer stops working, call the office.
Stops is present simple in the condition clause. Call gives the result as an instruction.
Which form is usual after if: 'If the parcel arrives, I will text you' or 'If the parcel will arrive, I will text you'?
Use arrives. In this usual future condition pattern, the if clause takes a present form.
Before you go
Remember this
Find the link between the two ideas before you choose a word. Use time words for sequence, because for a reason, if or unless for a condition, and although for contrast. Make sure the adverb clause has a subject and verb. Use a comma after it when it comes first.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
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Try the written questionsQuestions about "Adverb clauses: show time, reason, condition, and contrast"
What is an adverb clause in English?
An adverb clause is a group of words with a subject and verb that adds information about the action in a main clause. It can explain when something happens, why it happens, under what condition it happens, or how two ideas contrast. It usually begins with a linking word such as when, because, if, or although.
After Maya finished her shift, she called her sister.
Which words introduce adverb clauses?
Choose the linking word from the meaning. Use when, before, after, and until for time. Use because or since for a reason. Use if and unless for a condition. Use although or even though when the second idea contrasts with what you would expect.
Maya called her sister after she finished her shift.
When do I use a comma with an adverb clause?
Use a comma after an adverb clause when it comes before the main clause. For example, if a time or condition clause begins the sentence, the comma marks the boundary before the result. When the main clause comes first and the adverb clause follows it, a comma is not usually needed.
Because the road was closed, we took the train.
Can an adverb clause stand alone?
Usually no. An adverb clause depends on a main clause to finish the idea. Because the road was closed gives a reason, but it does not state what happened. Add a main clause, such as we took the train, to make a complete sentence.
We took the train because the road was closed.
Why do future clauses after when or if use a present form?
English often uses present simple in a future time or condition clause after when or if. The future result can appear in the main clause with will, can, or may. This pattern keeps the time or condition separate from the result that may follow.
If the printer stops working, call the office.