An adverbial clause performs the function of an adverbial modifier. It can modify a verb, an adjective or an adverb in the principal clause.
(He stopped as Kravat came rushing out.)
According to their meaning we distinguish the following kinds of adverbial clauses: adverbial clauses of time, place, cause (reason), purpose, condition, concession, result, manner, and comparison.
Adverbial clauses are joined to the principal clause by means of subordinating conjunctions; they are not joined to the principal clause asyndetically except sometimes adverbial clauses of condition.
(When things are at the worst, they’re sure to mend.)
1.An adverbial clause of time shows the time of the action expressed in the principal clause. Adverbial clauses of time are introduced by the following conjunctions: when, while, whenever (когда бы ни), as, till, until, as soon as, as long as, since, after, before, now that (теперь, когда).
(My mother died when I was eight years old)
In some cases an adverbial clause of time introduced by the conjunction as has the meaning of the gradual development of a process.
(As dark night drew on, the sea roughened.)
2. An adverbial clause of place shows the place of the action expressed in the principal clause. Adverbial clauses of place are introduced by the conjunctions where and wherever (где бы ни, куда бы ни).
(I am quite comfortable where I am.)
3. An adverbial clause of cause (reason) shows the cause of, the action expressed in the principal clause. Adverbial clauses of cause are introduced by the conjunctions as, because, since, for fear (that); in official style they may also be introduced by the conjunctions on the ground that, for the reason that and some others.
(Letters were infrequent in his world and not very welcome because more often than not they contained bad news.)
4. Adverbial clauses of purpose state the purpose of the action expressed in the principal clause. They are introduced by the conjunctions that, in order that, so that, lest (чтобы не) and some others.
(She kept her back to the window that he might not see her rising colour.)
5. Adverbial clauses of condition state the condition which is necessary for the realization of the action expressed in the principal clause. They are introduced by the conjunctions if, unless (если не), suppose, in case (в случае если), on condition that, provided (при условии что), etc.
(If he is not here by the end of the week, I shall go after him)
6. An adverbial clause of concession denotes the presence of some obstacle which nevertheless does not hinder the action expressed in the principal clause.
Adverbial clauses of concession are introduced by the following conjunctions and connectives: though, although,as, no matter how, however, whoever, whatever, whichever. In official style they may also be introduced by the conjunctions notwithstanding that, in spite-of the fact that.
(I enjoyed that day, though we travelled slowly, though it was cold, though it rained.)
7. Adverbial clauses of result denote the result of the action expressed in the principal clause. Very often adverbial clauses of this type have an additional meaning of degree.
Adverbial clauses of pure result are introduced by the conjunction so that; they are usually separated from the principal clause by a comma.
(Darkness had fallen and a keen blizzard was blowing, so that the streets were nearly deserted.)
8. Adverbial clauses of manner characterize in a general way the action expressed in the principal clause. They are usually introduced by the conjunction as. In adverbial clauses of manner the idea of comparison is often implied.
(she did exactly as he told her.)
9. Adverbial clauses of comparison denote an action with which the action of the principal clause is compared. They are introduced by the conjunctions that, as, as... as, not so... as, as if, as though.
(We were going up the road as fast as we could.)
! A compound-complex sentence is a sentence consisting of two or more coordinate clauses one of which at least has one or several subordinate clauses.
(There was a song in every heart; and if the heart was young the music issued at the lips)
Besides all the types of clauses mentioned above, there is a special type of clause called the parenthetical clause, as in the following examples:
(You are, I am afraid, far more urgently in need of medical advice than your daughter.)
(The next and last step in the investigation brought matters, as they say, to a crisis.)
(Her singing is something quite exceptional, I think.)
