LESSON 15 Adverb Clauses (PETERSON’S TOEFL SUCCESS)

(PETERSON’S TOEFL SUCCESS)

LESSON 15

Adverb Clauses

FULL ADVERB CLAUSES An adverb clause consists of a connecting word, called an adverb-clause marker (or subordinate conjunction), and at least a subject and a verb. For example: The demand for economical cars increases when gasoline becomes more expensive. In this example, the adverb clause marker when joins the adverb clause to the main clause. The adverb clause contains a subject (gasoline) and a verb (becomes). An adverb clause can precede the main clause or follow it. When the adverb clause comes first, it is separated from the main clause by a comma: When gasoline becomes more expensive, the demand for economical cars increases. The following markers are commonly seen in the Structure section: Adverb-Clause Marker Use Example because cause Because the speaker was sick, the program was canceled. since cause Since credit cards are so convenient, many people use them. although opposition (contrary cause) Although he earns a good salary, he never saves any money. even though opposition (contrary cause) Even though she was tired, she stayed up late. while contrast Some people arrived in taxis while others took the subway. if condition If the automobile had not been invented, what would people use for basic transportation? unless condition I won’t go unless you do. when time Your heart rate increases when you exercise. while time Some people like to listen to music while they are studying. as time One train was arriving as another was departing. since time We haven’t seen Professor Hill since she returned from her trip. until time Don’t put off going to the dentist until you have a problem. once time Once the dean arrives, the meeting can begin. before time Before he left the country, he bought some traveler’s checks. after time She will give a short speech after she is presented with the award. In structure items, any part of a full adverb-clause—the marker, the subject, the verb, and so on—can be missing from the stem. CLAUSE MARKERS WITH –EVER Words that end with -ever are sometimes used as adverb-clause markers. (In some sentences, these words are actually noun-clause markers, but they are seldom used that way in structure items.) The three -ever words that you are likely to see in the Structure section are given in the chart below: Adverb-Clause Marker With -ever Meaning Example wherever any place that ... Put that box wherever you can find room for it. whenever any time that ... They stay at that hotel whenever they’re in Boston. however any way that ... However you solve the problem, you’ll get thesame answer. REDUCED ADVERB CLAUSES When the subject of the main clause and the subject of the adverb clause are the same person or thing, the adverb clause can be reduced (shortened). Reduced adverb clauses do not contain a main verb or a subject. They consist of a marker and a participle (either a present or a past participle) or a marker and an adjective. When astronauts are orbiting the earth, they don’t feel the force of gravity. (full adverb clause) When orbiting the earth, astronauts don’t feel the force of gravity. (reduced clause with present participle) Although it had been damaged, the machine was still operational. (full adverb clause) Although damaged, the machine was still operational. (reduced clause with a past participle) Although he was nervous, he gave a wonderful speech. (full adverb clause) Although nervous, he gave a wonderful speech. (reduced clause with an adjective) You will most often see reduced adverb clauses with the markers although, while, if, when, before, after, and until. Reduced adverb clauses are NEVER used after because. PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES WITH THE SAME MEANING AS ADVERB CLAUSES There are also certain prepositions that have essentially the same meaning as adverb-clause markers but are used before noun phrases or pronouns, not with clauses. Preposition Related marker Example because of because/since He chose that university because of its fine reputation. due to because/since The accident was due to mechanical failure. on account of because/since Visibility is poor today on account of air pollution. in spite of although/even though He enjoys motorcycle riding in spite of the danger. despite although/even though Despite its loss, the team is still in first place. during when/while Her father lived in England during the war. In structure items where the correct answer is an adverb-clause marker, one of these words often appears as a distractor. Sample Items No one knows what color dinosaurs were ______________ no sample of their skin has survived. (A) because of (B) because that (C) it is because (D) because The correct answer is (D). Choice (A) is incorrect; because of can only be used before nouns or pronouns. In choice (B), that is unnecessary. In choice (C), the phrase it is is used unnecessarily. _____________________ rises to the surface of the earth, a volcano is formed. (A) Liquid magma (B) Whenever liquid magma (C) Liquid magma, which (D) That liquid magma The correct answer is (B). Choice (A) creates two clauses, but there is no connecting word to join them. Choice (C) creates a sentence with a main clause and an adjective clause, but the main clause has two subjects (liquid magma and a volcano). Choice (D) creates a noun clause. In a correct sentence, when a noun clause begins a sentence, the clause itself is the subject of the verb in the main clause, but this sentence already has a subject (volcano). ____________ invisible to the unaided eye, ultraviolet light can be detected in a number of ways. (A) Although is (B) Despite (C) Even though it (D) Although The correct answer is (D). It completes a reduced adverb clause. In choice (A), the adverb clause lacks a subject and is not a correct reduction because it contains a verb. In choice (B), despite cannot be used with an adjective (only with a noun phrase or pronoun). Choice (C) does not supply a verb for the adverb clause and is not a correct reduction because it contains a subject. Because ___________, alabaster can be easily carved. (A) is soft (B) softness (C) of its softness (D) of soft The correct answer is (C). Choice (A) lacks a subject in the adverb clause. Choice (B), a noun, can only be used with because of. In choice (D), because of is followed by an adjective; to be correct, it must be followed by a noun phrase or pronoun. EXERCISE 15 Focus: Completing structure problems involving adverb clauses, reduced adverb clauses, and prepositional expressions. (Note: Two or three items do NOT focus on one of these structures. These items are marked in the answer key with an asterisk.) Directions: For Sentence Completion items, mark the answer choice—(A), (B), (C), or (D)—that correctly completes the sentence. For Error Identification items, circle the underlined portion of the sentence that would not be considered correct. 1 Small sailboats can easily capsize ________ they are not handled carefully. (A) but (B) which (C) if (D) so 2 ___________ they are tropical birds, parrots can live in temperate or even cold climates. (A) Despite (B) Even though (C) Nevertheless (D) But 3 Despite (A) cats cannot see in complete darkness, their eyes (B) are much more (C) sensitive to light (D) than humans’ eyes. 4 ________ added to a liquid, antifreeze lowers the freezing temperature of that liquid. (A) That (B) As is (C) It is (D) When 5 Because of (A) cheese is essentially (B) a concentrated (C) form of milk, it contains the same (D) nutrients as milk. 6 In spite of (A) their (B) frightening (C) appearance, the squid is shy and completely harmless (D). 7 _____________ advertising is so widespread in the United States, it has had an enormous effect on American life. (A) Why (B) The reason (C) On account of (D) Since 8 _________________ toward shore, its shape is changed by its collision with the shallow sea bottom. (A) During a wave rolls (B) As a wave rolls (C) A wave rolls (D) A wave’s rolling 9 Snakebirds were not given (A) their name because they (B) eat snakes, but (C) because of (D) their long, slender necks resemble snakes. 10 ___________ people are increasingly linked over long distances by electronic communications, but many of them still prefer face-to-face encounters. (A) Although (B) Despite (C) Today (D) The fact that 11 _____________________ together in one place, they form a community. (A) When people who live (B) When people living (C) Whenever people live (D) Whenever living people 12 ___________ managed by an independent governor and board of directors, the Bank of Canada is owned by the Canadian government. (A) And yet (B) In spite of it (C) Although (D) It is 13 In the (A) sixteenth century, it was thought (B) that a compass needle pointed (C) north because (D) some mysterious influence of the stars. 14 During (A) lava cools exceptionally (B) fast, it forms (C) a natural glass called (D) obsidian. 15 ________, the seeds of the Kentucky coffee plant are poisonous. (A) Unless they have been cooked (B) Cooking them (C) They have been cooked (D) Cooked until 16 Although (A) Adlai Stevenson was never (B) elected president, he was one of the preeminent American politics (C) of the mid-twentieth century (D). 17 Natural silk is still highly prized _________________________ similar artificial fabrics. (A) although is available (B) despite there are available (C) in spite of the availability of (D) even though an availability of 18 Cattle ranches are found almost __________ in Utah. (A) wherever (B) everywhere (C) overall (D) somewhere 19 Since (A) its acute sense of smell (B), the (C) bloodhound is often used in (D) tracking. 20 ___________ through a prism, a beam of white light breaks into all the colors of the rainbow. (A) When shines (B) It shines (C) It is shone (D) When shone

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