Unit 20 Grammar

NotesPages 344-346

1. Remember that a clause is a group of

words with a subject and a verb that

shows time.

A phrase does not have both a subject and a verb showing time.

It commonly has a present or past participle.

Clause After he sped away, he heard a shot.

Phrase After speeding away, he heard a shot.

1. Some adverb clauses can be shortened to

adverb phrases in ways similar to the ways

adjective clauses can be shortened --

by reducing the clauses are changing them.

Adverb Clause

We had a flat tire while we were touring.

Reduced Adverb Phrase

We had a flat tire while touring.

Adverb Clause

After we fixed the flat tire, we were on our way again.

Changed Adverb Clause

After fixing the flat tire, we were on our way again.

1.

Negative adverb phrases contain the word not or never before the

participle.

After not eating all day, we were hungry.Never having eaten in an American restaurant before, we did not know how much to leave for a tip.

2. Adverb clauses can be reduced to adverb

phrases when the clause has a form of be.

To reduce an adverb clause to a phrase, omit the subject pronoun and the form of be. If the original sentence has commas,

keep the commas in the reduced sentence.

Adverb Clause

While they were driving, they were attacked by bandits.

Reduced Adverb Phrase

While driving, they were attacked by bandits.

2. Be careful!

You can reduce an adverb clause to an adverb phrase only if the subjects in both clauses of the sentence refer to the same

person or thing.Adverb Clause

Reg and Maggie drove while the children were sleeping.

NOT **Reg and Maggie drove sleeping.

2. Note:

An adverb phrase can come first or second in the sentence. When it comes first, we

place a comma after it.Adverb phrase first

While driving, they were attacked by bandits.

Adverb phrase second

They were attacked by bandits while driving.

3. Adverb clauses of time beginning with after, before,

since and while can be changed to adverb phrases when

the clause has no form of be.

To change an adverb clause to an adverb phrase, omit the subject pronoun and

change the verb to its –ing form. Keep the subordinating conjunction and the original

punctuation.Adverb clause

After they visited the Paestum, the Greens drove south.

Adverb phrase

After visiting the Paestum, the Greens drove south.

3. Be careful!

You can change an adverb clause to a phrase only if the subjects in the two

clauses of the sentences refer to the same person or thing.

Adverb Clause

After the bandits saw the Greens’ car, the Greens sped away.

NOT **After seeing the Greens’ car, the Greens sped away.

4.

A simple past or past perfect verb in an adverb clause changes to the –ing form or

having + past participle in an adverb phrase

Adverb Clause

After they opened the door, they saw the blood =

After they had opened the door, they saw the blood.

Adverb Phrase

After opening the door, they saw the blood =

Having opened the door, they saw the blood.

5.

Upon or on + -ing in an adverb phrase has the same meaning as

when in an adverb clause.Adverb Clause

When they realized what had happened, they pulled to the side of the road.

Adverb Phrase

On realizing what had happened, they pulled to the side of the road =

Upon realizing what had happened, they pulled to the side of the road.

6. The subordinating

conjunction is sometimes

omitted in a phrase. A phrase without a subordinating conjunction is called an adverbial

phrase.Adverb Clause

While I was sitting on the porch, I thought about my future.

Adverb Phrase

While sitting on the porch, I thought about my future.

Adverbial Phrase

Sitting on the porch, I thought about my future

6. Be careful!

Do not omit the subordinating conjunction in a passive

construction.Adverb Phrase

I worked for two years before being accepted at the university.

NOT **I worked for two years being accepted at the university.

7. Adverb clauses of reason can

be changed to adverbial

phrases. The subordinating conjunctions

because, since or as at the beginning of a clause must be

omitted in an adverbial phrase of reason.

Adverb Clause

Because/Since/As the children were sleeping in the car, they were not aware of what was happening.

Adverbial Phrase

Sleeping in the car, the children were not aware of what was happening.

NOT **Because sleeping in the car, the children were not aware of what was happening.

7.

Because/Since/As + a form of be can be changed to being in an

adverbial phrase.Adverb Clause

Because/Since/As they were not satisfied, they decided to do something about the problem.

Adverbial Phrase

Not being satisfied, they decided to do something about the problem.

7.

A present perfect or past perfect verb in an adverb clause can be changed to having + past participle in an

adverbial phrase.

Adverb Clause

Because/Since/As they had been moved by the situation, people became organ donors.

Adverbial Phrase

Having been moved by the situation, people became organ donors.

Adverb Clause

Because/Since/As I have never driven a truck before, I’m feeling a bit nervous about it.

Adverbial Phrase

Never having driven a truck before, I’m feeling a bit nervous about it.

8. A clause containing a passive verb can be

changed to an adverbial phrase with just a past

participle.

If the subordinating conjunction can be omitted without changing the meaning, delete the subject and any auxiliaries in

the passive sentence.

Adverb Clause

Because/Since/As I was given two options, I chose the harder of the two.

Adverbial Phrase

Given two options, I chose the harder of the two.

8. Be careful!

If the subordinating conjunction cannot be omitted without changing the meaning, as in some clauses of time, form an adverb

phrase by deleting the subject and changing the form of be to being

Adverb Clause

Before I was told the nature of the problem, I had no idea what to do.

Adverb Phrase

Before being told the nature of the problem, I had no idea what to do.

NOT **Told the nature of the problem, I had no idea what to do.

Reference note:

For shortening adjective clauses to adjective phrases, see unit 13.