Adverbial Subordinate Clauses: Time, Place, and Manner
Adverbial Subordinate Clauses: Expressing Time, Place, and Manner
Introduction
Adverbial subordinate clauses function similarly to noun phrases but act as circumstantial complements. They describe the circumstances of the verb’s action, such as when, where, and how it takes place. These clauses can be expressed through various syntactic structures:
- Adverbial Phrases (with or without preposition): Above is a highly decorated hall.
- Adverbial phrases: Don Julian comes from time to time.
- Noun Phrases (with or without preposition): Tests will be in college.
Time, place, and manner can also be expressed through subordinate clauses within a sentence.
Adverbial Subordinate Clauses of Time, Place, and Manner
These clauses provide additional information about the verb in the main clause. Some consider them circumstantial complements, while others classify them as adverbial. Let’s explore each type:
Time Clauses
Temporal subordinate clauses establish the chronological order of the action in relation to the main clause. They can indicate:
- Anteriority: We came home after the exam.
- Simultaneity: While doing exercises, the teacher is watching me.
- Posteriority: Mr. picked up a folder before I made the ID.
Note that the verb in the time clause can be in the infinitive. These clauses can often be replaced by adverbs or other temporal expressions: The Lord took the folder then / later / at that time.
Distinguishing Time Clauses from Adjective Clauses
Subordinate clauses introduced by “when” can be confused with adjective clauses. Adjective clauses always modify a noun that indicates time: Those years when I worked at the bank, I made a lot of money. (Adjective clause). In contrast, time clauses modify the verb: I will win lots of money when I work on the side. (Adverbial clause).
Time Clauses without Nexus
Temporal subordinate clauses can be formed without a conjunction. In this case, the verb appears in the gerund or participle: After the test, I went home. Writing a story, I ran out of ink. To identify these clauses, try replacing them with a conjunction to see if the meaning remains the same: When I finished the exam, I went home. While I wrote a story, I ran out of ink.
Place Clauses
Place subordinate clauses specify the location of the action in the main clause. They function as circumstantial complements of place and can be replaced by adverbs or other locational expressions: I was alone where we stayed. Behind the wall, it is very rare to see people.
Distinguishing Place Clauses from Adjective Clauses
Subordinate clauses introduced by “where” can be confused with adjective clauses. Adjective clauses modify a noun that indicates place: The Principal showed us the venue where we practiced sports.
“A donde” and “adonde”
When the conjunction “donde” is specified by the preposition “a”, they are written separately: I look at where I’m going. The combination “adonde” introduces subordinate place clauses. However, “donde” alone serves as a conjunction in adjective clauses: I stared stunned at the room where I was going.
Manner Clauses
Manner subordinate clauses describe how the action of the main verb is performed. They act as circumstantial complements of manner and can be replaced by adverbs or other expressions of manner: He wrote his report as he had said (well). I saved it as indicated by the program (this way).
“Como” as an Adverb and Relative Adverb
The word “como” can introduce two types of subordinate clauses:
- As an adverb of manner, it functions as a conjunction in adverbial manner clauses. In these cases, it never modifies a noun: He wrote it as I said.
- As a relative adverb, it introduces adjective clauses and must be preceded by a noun: I wrote it in the way you said.
Manner Clauses with Personal Forms and without Nexus
- Modal clauses can be constructed with the verb in the infinitive. In these cases, there is no preposition: He wrote without looking up.
- Modal clauses can also occur without a conjunction. In these cases, the verb appears in the gerund: I’m exercising. To recognize these clauses, try replacing them with an adverb of manner or a noun phrase that expresses manner: I wrote like that.