“Reduction of Adverb Clauses” to Modifying Adverbial Phrases [Chart 1]
[a] ADVERB CLAUSE: While I was walking to class, I ran
into an old friend.
[b] MODIFYING PHRASE: While walking to class, I ran into
an old friend.
[c] ADVERB CLAUSE: Before I left work,I ate breakfast.
[d] MODIFYING PHRASE: Before leaving for work, I ate
breakfast.
Some adverb clauses may also be changed to
modifying in which the changes are made are the
same:
[1] Omit the subject of the dependent clause and
the form of “be” as in [b], OR
[2] If there is NO “be” form of a verb,
omit the subject and change the verb to “-ing”
as in [d].
[e] CHANGE POSSIBLE: While I was sitting in class, I fell
asleep.
While sitting in class, I fell asleep.
[f] CHANGE POSSIBLE: While Ann was sitting in class,
she fell asleep.(clause)
While sitting in class, Ann fell asleep.
An adverb clause can be changed to a modifying
phrase only when the subject of the adverb clause
and subject of the main clause are the same.
A modifying adverbial phrase that is reduction of
an adverb clause modifies the subject, of the main
clause.
[g] NO CHANGE POSSIBLE: While the teacher was lecturing to the
class, I fell asleep.*
[h] NO CHANGE POSSIBLE: While we were walking home, a frog
hopped across the road in front of us.
No reduction (i.e., change) is possible if the
subjects of the adverb clause and the main clause
are different, as in [g] and [h].
[i] INCORRECT: While walking home, a frog hopped across
the road in front of us.
[j] INCORRECT: While watching TV last night,
the phone rang.
In [i]: While walking home is called a
“dangling modifier” or a “dangling participle,”
i.e., a modifier that is incorrectly
“hanging alone” without an appropriate noun or
pronoun to modify.
“Changing Time Clauses” To Modifying Adverbial Phrases [Chart 2]
[a] CLAUSE: Since Maria came to this country, she has made many
friends.
[b] PHRASE: Since coming to this country, Maria has made many friends.
Adverbs clauses beginning with after, before,
while, and since can be changed to modifying
adverbial phrases.
[c] CLAUSE: After he (had) finished his homework, Peter went to bed.
[d] PHRASE: After finishing his homework, Peter went to bed.
[e] PHRASE: After having finished his homework, Peter went to bed.
In [c]: There is no difference in meaning
between “After he finished” and “After he had
finished.”
In [d] and [e]: There is no difference in
meaning “After finishing” and After having
finished.”
[f] PHRASE: Peter went to bed after finishing his homework. A modifying adverbial phrase may follow the
main clause, as in [f].
Exercise 1. Changing Time Clauses to Modifying Adverbial Phrases. [Chart 1 and Chart 2]
Instructions: Underline the subject of the adverb clause and the subject of the main clause.
Change the “adverb clause” to “modifying adverbial phrases” if possible.
[1] While Joe was driving to school yesterday, he had an accident.
-- While driving to school yesterday, Joe had an accident.
[2] While Joe was watching TV last night, the telephone rang. (no change)
[3] Before I came to class, I had a cup of coffee.
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[4] Before the student came to class, the teacher had already given a quiz.
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[5] Since I came here, I have learned a lot of English.
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[6] Since Bob opened his new business, he has been working 16 hours a day.
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[7] After Omar (had) finished breakfast, he left the house and went to his office.
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[8] Alex hurt his back while he was chopping wood.
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[9] You should always read a contract before you sign your name.
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[10] Before the waiter came to our table, I had already made up my mind to order shrimp.
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Exercise 1. "Changing Time Clauses” to Modifying Adverbial Phrases. [see Chart 1 and Chart 2]
[11] While Jack was trying to sleep last night, a mosquito kept buzzing in his ear.
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[12] While Susan was climbing the mountain, she lost her footing and fell onto a ledge several feet below.
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[13] The Wilsons have experienced many changes in their lifestyle since they adopted twins.
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[14] After I heard Mary describe how cold it gets in Minnesota in the winter, I decided not to go there for
my vacation in January.
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Expressing the Idea of “During The Same Time” in Modifying Adverbial Phrases [Chart 3]
[a] While I was walkng down the street, I ran into an old friend.
[b] While waaking down the street, I ran into an old friend.
[c] Walking down the street, I ran into an old friend.
[d] Hiking through the woods yesterday, we saw a bear.
[e] Pointing to the sentence on the board, the teacher explained
the meaning of the modifying sentences.
Sometimes while is omitted but the -ing
phrase at the beginning of the sentence
gives the same meaning (i.e., “during the
same time”). [a], [b], and [c] have the same
meaning.
Expressing “Cause and Effect” in Modifying Adverbial Phrases [Chart 4]
[f] Beacause she needed some money to buy a book,
Sue cashed a check.
[g] Needing some money to buy a book, Sue cashed a check.
[h] Because he lacked the necessary qualifications,
he was not considered for the job.
[i] Lacking the necessary qualifications, he was not
considered for the job.
Often and -ing phrase at the beginning of a
sentence gives the meaning of “because.” [f] and
[g] have the same meaning.
Because is not included in a modifying phrase. It
is omitted , but the resulting phrase expresses a
“cause and effect relationship,” as in [g] and [h].
[j] Having seen that movie before, I don’t want to go again.
[k] Having seen that movie before, I didn’t want to go again.
“Having + past participle” gives the meaning not
only of “because” but also of “before.”
[l] Because she was unable to afford a car, she bought a bicycle.
[m] Being unable to afford a car, she bought a bicycle.
[n] Unable to afford a car, she bought a bicycle.
A form of “be” in the adverb clause may be changed
to “being.” The use of “being” makes the cause and
effect relationship clear. [l], [m], and [n] have
the same meaning.
Exercise 2 - Modifying Adverbial Phrases [See Chart 4]
Change the “Adverb Clauses” to “Modifying Adverbial Phrases.”
[1] Because Sam didn’t want to hurt her feelings, he didn’t tell her the bad news.
-- Not wanting to hurt feelings, Sam didn’t tell her the bad news.
[2] Because the little boy believed that no one loved him, he ran away from home.
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[3] Because she was not paying attention to where she was going, Rosa stepped into a hole and sprained her ankle.
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[4] Because I had forgotten to bring a pencil to the examination, I had to borrow one.
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[5] Because Chelsea is a vegetarian, she does not eat meat.
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[6] Because he has already flunked out of school once, Mike is determined to succeed this time.
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Exercise 3 - Modifying Adverbial Phrases [See Chart 2, Chart 3, and Chart 4]
Change the “Adverb Clauses” to Modifying Adverbial Phrases.”
[1] Before I talked to you, I had never understood that formula.
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[2] Because he did not want to spend any more money this month, Larry decided against going to a restaurant for
dinner. He made himself a sandwich instead.
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[3] After I read the chapter four times, I finally understood the author’s theory.
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[4] Because I remembered that everyone makes mistakes, I softened my view of his seemingly inexcusable error.
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[5] Since he completed his Bachelor’s degree, he has had three jobs, each one better than the last.
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[6] While I was travelling across the United States, I could not help being impressed by the great differences in
terrain.
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[7] Before he gained national fame, the union leader had been an electrician in a small town.
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[8] Because we were enjoying the cool evening breeze and listening to the sounds of nature, we lost track of time.
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