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Within a sentence, the simplest way to express a specific circumstance (of manner, of cause, of time, etc.) is by resorting to an adverb. For example: An account executive will quote you shortly. But sometimes, to indicate the circumstance, one has to resort to more complex forms, which may involve the use of a verb; in this case it could be: An account executive will summon you when your request has been approved.
As can be seen, in the latter case a second verb was incorporated (Approve) to the sentence, within what is known as a subordinate proposition, since it is like a secondary sentence inserted within the main sentence, on which it depends (in the example, the main sentence has as a verbal nucleus 'quote').
These types of sentences are called adverbial subordinate clauses or simply adverbial suborations. Subordinate clauses, in general (since there are other types, in addition to adverbial ones), are a class within the category of compound sentences (that is, those with more than one conjugated verb).
- See also: Simple and compound sentences
Examples of adverbial sentences
- If it rains, I'll miss your birthday.
- When the police came, the robbers had already escaped
- Even mortally wounded, our hero fought for this country
- I do it because I feel like doing it.
- They came to visit me even when I betrayed them.
- I come for the ad they published in the newspaper.
- When the exam period is over, they can have their vacation.
- Cross quickly so the motorcycle does not hit you.
- We will go where you decide.
- Homework was done as the teacher ordered.
- I called him to fix my window.
- If anyone drinks, try not to drive.
- Despite everything he did, I still miss him.
- As the years go by, I feel more pain.
- When the alarm went off, he was already having breakfast.
- They called me as soon as I had gone to bed.
- We will go where she tells me.
- I found out that with that card there is no discount when I was going to pay.
- I think he did it to make us feel guilty.
- As much as I insist, his attitude never changes.
Characteristics of adverbial sentences
In the same way as for the identification of adverbs, adverbial sentences are put into evidence mainly through their characteristic of answering questions that add information to what the main verb expresses and is achieved through links
According to their function, they are distinguished:
- Own adverbial sentences. They fulfill the typical function of adverbs, and can be replaced by the links‘where’, if it is about details of place,‘when’ (or 'while', 'after', 'while'), if it is time information, or‘as’ (also 'according', 'according', 'as if') if it is about details of mode or form. For example: We went where you told me to.
- Improper adverbial sentences.They have a different relationship with the main sentence and their direct replacement by an adverb is not possible. Improper adverbial sentences can be causal, final, consecutive, conditional, or concessive. These are introduced by expressions such as 'because', 'why', 'therefore', 'so many ... that', 'yes', 'provided that', 'in the event that' and 'although'. For example: We went even though we didn't know the place.
- Follow with: Adjective Subsentences
