Unit 19 Grammar Notes

Pages 327-329

1.

Remember that a clause is a group of words that contains at least one subject and a verb showing past, present or future time.

Clauses are either independent or dependent.

1. Independent clauses (also called main clauses) can stand alone as complete sentences.

You could win a medal.

We’ll go to the game.

1. Dependent clauses (also called subordinate clauses) cannot stand alone.

They need another clause to be fully understood.

Independent clause Dependent clause

You could win a gold medal

if you practice enough.

We’ll go to the game if we can get tickets.

1. Dependent clauses (also called subordinate clauses) cannot stand alone.

A dependent clause can also be placed at the beginning of the sentence:

Dependent clause Independent clause

If you practice enough,

you could win a gold medal.

If we can get tickets, we’ll go to the game.

1.

Note: In a complex sentence, the clauses can come in either order. If the dependent clause comes first, we put a comma after it:

Whenever I get exercise, I feel good.

I feel good whenever I get exercise.

2. Adverb clauses are dependent clauses that indicate how, when, where, why, or under what conditions things happen. Adverb clauses may also introduce a contrast.

(In fact, a dependent clause and an adverb clause are really the same thing.)

When I went home when the game was over.

Why She dropped out of the race because she was injured.

Contrast

*They won the game although the score was very close.

2. Adverb clauses are dependent clauses that indicate how, when, where, why, or under what conditions things happen. Adverb clauses may also introduce a contrast.

These can be either single words or phrases.

Single words

It began to rain while we were playing.

The game will be canceled if it rains.

Phrases I have to practice hard now that I’m on the team.

He continued to play in spite of the fact that he had been injured.

2. Adverb clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions (also called subordinating adverbs, subordinators or adverbial expressions)

Remember that the adverb clause can also begin the sentence, and in that case is

followed by a comma.

Single words

While we were playing, it began to rain

If it rains, the game will be canceled.

Phrases Now that I’m on the team, I have to practice hard.

In spite of the fact that he had been injured, he continued to play.

2.

Note: Adverb clauses sometimes come inside independent clauses. This kind of sentence is quite formal.

Her ability when she got to high school was remarkable.

3. Adverb clauses of time indicate when something happens.

They are introduced by after, as, as soon as, before, by the time, once, since, until/till, when, whenever, while, etc.

The race will start as soon as everyone is in place.

We always drink water before we start a game.

I’ve been playing soccer since I was very young.

I like to listen to music while I study.

I get a headache whenever I drink alcohol.

3. Adverb clauses of time indicate when something happens.

Remember that an adverb clause can be placed at the beginning of a sentence.

As soon as everyone is in place, the race will start.

Before we start a game, we always drink water.

Since I was very young, I’ve been playing soccer.

While I study, I like to listen to music.

Whenever I drink alcohol, I get a headache.

3. Adverb clauses of time indicate when something happens.

Once as a subordinator means starting from the moment something happens.

When once is used as a subordinator, it means as soon as.

She’ll earn a good salary once she starts playing regularly =

She’ll earn a good salary as soon as she starts playing regularly.

Once I have enough money, I’ll get a car =

As soon as I have enough money, I’ll get a car.

3. Once is also a focus adverb that means in the past, but not any longer. It is similar in meaning to used to.

He once worked for a big company in Beijing =

He used to work for a big company in Beijing =

Laney was once a trade school that was part of the Oakland Public School System =

In the past, Laney was a trade school that was part of the Oakland Public School System

3. Once is also a noun that means one time:

I have only met him once = I have only met him one time.

(Twice is a noun that means two times.)

I’m sure he knows about the meeting. I reminded him twice = I reminded him two times.

3. Adverb clauses of time indicate when something happens.

Until an till have the same meaning. Till is informal and used more in conversation.

I’ll wait here until they arrive =

I’ll wait here till they arrive.

Until our kids are older, my wife isn’t able to have a job =

Till our kids are older, my wife isn’t able to have a job.

3. Be careful!

In complex sentences, do not use will or be going to in the dependent clause to show future time.

I’ll wait here until they arrive.

**I’ll wait here until they will arrive.

When they get here, we will leave.

**When they are going to get here, we will leave.

4. Adverb clauses of place indicate where something happens.

They are introduced by anywhere, everywhere, where, wherever, etc.

Major athletes are popular wherever they go =

Wherever major athletes go, they are popular.

Professional sports are played where there are big stadiums=

Where there are big stadiums, professional sports are played.

5. Adverb clauses of reason indicate why something happens.

They are introduced by as, because, now that (= because now), since, etc.

She won the medal because she had practiced tirelessly.

Since he didn’t register in time, he can’t play.

5. Note: Since has two meanings. It is used both in adverb clauses of reason and of time.

Reason Time

Since Anna doesn’t like sports, she refused to go to the game. (since = because)

Barry has played sports since he entered high school = He began to play sports since he entered high school, and he still plays sports.

He failed the course since he didn’t pass in the final paper = He failed the course because he didn’t pass in the final paper.

The teacher has worked at Laney since 1998 = She began to work at Laney in 1998, and she still works at Laney now.

5. Note: As has two meanings. It is used both in adverb clauses of reason and of time.

Reason Time

As he was badly hurt, he had to drop out of the game. (as = because)

He set a world record as we were watching. (as = when or while)

They lost the game as their star payer had to drop out = They lost the game because their star payer had to drop out

As I was cooking dinner, the phone rang = While I was cooking dinner, the phone rang = When I was cooking dinner, the phone rang/

6. Adverb clauses of condition indicate under what conditions something happens.

They are introduced by if, even if, only if, unless, in case, etc.

if You’ll improve if you practice daily.

Even if means that the condition doesn’t matter: the result will still be the same.

Even if he practices constantly, he still won’t make the team.

Only if means that only one condition will produce the result.

Bi-Yun will make the team only if another athlete drops out.

In case means in order to be prepared for a possible future event.

We’d better take along some extra money in case we run into difficulties.

Unless means that something will happen or be true if another thing does not happen or is not true.

Unless you train a great deal, you won’t be a champion.

6. Note about only if:

If the sentence begins with only if, the subject and verb of the main clause are inverted (using

question word order), and no comma is used. This usage is formal.

Bi-Yun will make the team only if another athlete drops out.Only if another athlete drops out will Bi-Yun make the team.

I want the job only if they offer me more money.Only if they offer me more money do I want the job.

6. Be careful! Don’t confuse even if or even though with even.

Even if and even though are subordinators.

Even is a focus adverb.

Even if they win this game, they won’t be champions.

Even my mother understands the rules of baseball.

He didn’t do well in the course even though he worked very hard.

She even explained the rules to me when I was a kid.

6. Be careful! Many students have trouble with the use of unless.

Compare unless and if.

Unless you train a great deal, you won’t be a champion. similar in

meaning to

If you train a great deal, you will be a champion..

She will be here unless she has to work late.

She won’t be here if she has to work late.

6. Notice that future tense is not used in clauses with if or unless.

Unless you train a great deal, you won’t be a champion. not

**Unless you will train a great deal, you won’t be a champion.

She won’t be here if she has to work late.

**She won’t be here if she will have to work late.

7. Adverb clauses of contrast make contrast with the idea expressed in the independent clause.

They are introduced by although, even though, though, whereas, while, etc.

Although = even though = though are used when we want to show an unexpected result.

He was selected for the team though he is quite young = He was selected for the team even though he is quite young = He was selected for the team although he is quite young.

Though he is quite young, he was selected for the team = Even though he is quite young, he was selected for the team = Although he is quite young, he was selected for the team.

7. While is used to introduce both a clause of contrast and a clause of time.

Time Contrast

We ate while we were watching the game.

While they lost the game, they played their best.=Even though they lost the game, they played their best.

7. Adverb clauses of contrast make contrast with the idea expressed in the independent clause.

They are introduced by although, even though, though, whereas, while, etc.

While = whereas are used to make a direct contrast.

Whereas is very formal and used only in writing.

While downhill skiing is very expensive, cross-country skiing is very cheap.

Although downhill skiing is very expensive, cross-country skiing is very cheap.

Whereas downhill skiing is very expensive, cross-country skiing is very cheap.