The complex sentence: time, place, manner

Adverbial clauses of time, place and manner

Introduction to adverbial clauses of time, place and manner

Suppose you want to write a paragraph like this:

When we visited London, we went to the Tower. We saw the spot where so many famous people had lost their heads! We felt as if we had travelled back in time to another world!

If we want to speak or write like this, we have to master adverbial clauses of time (answering

When?), place (answering Where?) and manner (answering How?)

Adverbial clauses of time (past reference)

To say when something happened in the past, we use 'joining words' (or conjunctions) like when, after, as, as soon as, before, by the time (that), once, since, until/till, while:

When we visited London, we went to the Tower.

Write: Join these sentences with the conjunctions in brackets.

   1)      I lost a lot of weight. I was ill. (when)

…..I lost a lot of weight when I was ill……

   2)      I phoned home. I arrived in the airport building. (immediately after) '' -

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   3)      She had already opened the letter. She realized it wasn't addressed to her. (before)

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   4)      The building had almost burnt down. The fire brigade arrived. (by the time)

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   5)      We realized that something had gone wrong. We saw him run towards us. (as soon as)

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Adverbial clauses of time (future reference)

When the time clause refers to the future, we normally use the simple present after: after, as soon as, before, by the time, directly, immediately, the moment, till, until and when:

The Owens will move to a new flat when their baby is born. (Not *will be born*)

Write: Join these sentences with the conjunctions in brackets, making necessary changes.

   1)      I won't know if I have got into university. I will get my exam results. (until)

… I won't know if I have got into university until I get my exam results….

   2)      I'II give him your message. He will phone. (as soon as)

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   3)      We should visit the Duty Free Shop. Our flight will be called. (before)

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   4)      I'II be dead. They will find a cure for the common cold. (by the time)

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   5)      You'll get a surprise. You will open the door. (the moment)

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Adverbial clauses of place

To say where something happens or happened, we use conjunctions like where, wherever, anywhere and everywhere: That dog follows me wherever I go.

Write: Complete the following sentences to say where.

   1)      This is the exact spot where…

…the accident happened.

   2)      You're not allowed to park anywhere

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   3)      Some television programmes are familiar everywhere

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   4)      Please sit wherever

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   5)      Let's put the television set in a place where

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Adverbial clauses of manner

To say something happens or happened, we use these conjunctions:

as : Type this again as I showed you a moment ago.

I feel as if / as though I’m floating on air.

Write: Complete the following sentences to say how.

1 It sounds as if ....it’s raining………………….

2 I think this omelette is exactly as...........................................................................................

3 When I told her the news she acted as though........................................................................

4 I think you should write the report in the way........................................................................

5 You never do anything the way.............................................................................................