Reducing Adverb

Clauses:

Making Adverb Phrases –

Chapter 18, p. 387-396

Do these sentences have correct grammar?

• Having attended class regularly, the student was

able to understand the difficult readings in the

class packet.

• When studying in another country, students must

adapt to the academic expectations there.

• Good teachers always have students show them

their steps along the way when assigning large

projects or papers.

These are adverb phrases, and they are correct!

• Having attended class regularly, the student was

able to understand the difficult readings in the

class packet.

• While studying in another country, students must

adapt to the academic expectations there.

• Good teachers always have students show them

their steps along the way when assigning large

projects or papers.

Reducing Adverb Clauses:

Adverb clauses can be reduced only when the subject of

both clauses is the same. That’s rule #1!

Ex. While Ann was doing her homework, she listened to

music.

While doing her homework, Ann listened to music.

NOT: While Ann was doing her homework, the fire

alarm went off. While doing her homework, the fire

alarm went off.

Here are some more rules:

2. If there is a be form of a verb, omit the subject of the dependent clause and the be form of the verb:

Ex. 1 - While he was studying for the test, he fell asleep.

While studying for the test, he fell asleep.

Ex. 2 – When he is taking a full-load of classes, he makes sure to exercise often and get a lot of sleep.

When taking a full-load of classes, he makes sure to exercise often and get a lot of sleep.

3. If there is no be form of the verb, omit the subject and change the verb to –ing:

Ex. 1 - Before I went to class, I did the homework.

Before going to class, I did the homework.

Ex. 2 – When he reads the chapter, he takes notes.

When reading the chapter, he takes notes.

4. The adverb phrase can come before or

after the independent clause. If it comes

before, there should be a comma.

Ex. While doing her homework, Ann listened to

music.

Ann listened to music while doing her homework.

5. If the adverb clause is negative, put not

before the verb form.

Ex. After he didn’t pass the test, he hired a tutor.

After not passing the test, he hired a tutor.

Can all adverb clauses be changed to phrases?

Some time clauses can (p. 388)

• Adverb clauses beginning with after, before, while,

when and since can all be reduced to phrases.

Examples:

• Peter went to bed after finishing his homework.

• Before going to bed, he finished his homework.

• While studying, he ate pizza.

• He listens to music when studying.

• Since coming to this country, he has changed his study habits.

• *Adverb clauses beginning with other time subordinators (as soon as, until, as long as, etc.) cannot be reduced to phrases.

While/When – Same Time

(p. 389) • If while and when are used to mean “at the same time,”

they can be omitted at the beginning of the sentence:

When I was walking to work, I saw Mary.

When walking to work, I saw Mary.

Walking to work, I saw Mary.

• While Dweck was growing up in Brooklyn in the ’50s,

she did well in elementary school and earned a spot in a

sixth-grade class of other high achievers.

While growing up in Brooklyn in the ’50s, Dweck did well in elementary

school and earned a spot in a sixth-grade class of other high achievers.

Growing up in Brooklyn in the ’50s, Dweck did well in elementary school

and earned a spot in a sixth-grade class of other high achievers.

When – short time after (p. 393)

• Adverb clauses beginning with when that mean “a short time after” usually begin with upon or on +ing when they are reduced:

When I turned 21, I got married.

Upon turning 21, I got married.

On turning 21, I got married.

CAUSE/EFFECT (p. 390)

• When you reduce an adverb clause with because, since, now that, or as, follow the same rules except….

• 1. Do not include those subordinating conjunctions in the adverbial phrase:

Ex. Since the professor wanted his students to do well, he talked to them about academic expectations.

Wanting his students to do well, the professor talked to them about academic expectations.

2. If you put the adverb phrase of reason after the

independent clause, use a comma.

Ex. The professor talked to his students about academic expectations since he wanted them to do well.

The professor talked to his students about academic expectations, wanting them to do well.

2.a. However, it is best to move the adverb phrase so it is closer to the subject of the independent clause:

Wanting his students to do well, the professor talked to them about academic expectations.

• Having + past participle gives the meaning of reason and before:

Ex. Because he read Blum’s book, the professor changed the way he teaches.

Having read Blum’s book, the professor changed the way he teaches.

• If there is a form of BE in the cause/effect

adverb clause, it can be changed to being in the

reduced clause:

Ex.

Because she was late to class, she couldn’t take the

quiz.

Being late to class, she couldn’t take the quiz.

*The cause-effect meaning is still clear.

Can Conditional and Contrast Clauses be reduced to phrases?

The short answer is…

no.

Let’s practice!