Classification of adverbial clauses: 1. of time ... 15. comment clauses. Clauses of
time ... There is considerable overlap in these adverbial clauses. Clauses of ...
LECTURE 2 ADVERBIAL CLAUSES - function mainly as adjuncts and disjuncts
Classification of adverbial clauses: 1. of time 2. of place 3. of manner 4. of condition 5. of concession 6. of contrast 7. of exception 8. of similarity and comparison 9. of proportion 10. of preference 11. conditional-concessive clauses 12. reason clauses 13. purpose clauses 14. result clauses 15. comment clauses
Clauses of time - are introduced by: after, when, while, till, until, since, once, as, as soon as, whenever A. Finite: Wait until you are called. B. Non-finite: Once having made a promise, you should keep it. // The dog stayed at the entrance until told to come in. C. Verbless: Complete your work as soon as possible.
Clauses of place •
are introduced mainly by specific where and nonspecific wherever.
•
may indicate position (1) or direction (II):
I. Where the fire had been, we saw nothing. II. They went wherever they could find a job.
Clauses of manner •
tell us 'how' you do something
•
introduced by as, as if, as though
I. They come to class on time as the teacher tells them to. II. He ate as if he were starving for months. III. He cried as though he were a baby. IV. I was never allowed to do things the way I wanted to do them. There is considerable overlap in these adverbial clauses.
Clauses of condition, concession, and contrast Overlapping of clauses A. Subordinator if introduces all three types of clauses. B. Whereas introduces contrast and concessive clauses. C. All three types of clauses tend to assume initial position in the complex sentence.
Conditional clauses Direct condition - the situation in the MC is directly contingent on the situation in the CC If you put the baby down, she will scream. - the most common conditional subordinators: if, whether, on condition (that), provided (that), providing (that), supposing (that), given (that), in case (that) Examples of conditional clauses: Assuming that the movie starts at eight, we should leave now. Given that x=y, then x+a = y+a. (formal argument) Marion wants me to type the letter if possible. (verbless clause) Unless otherwise instructed, you should leave by the back exit. (nonfinite clause) INDIRECT CONDITION - the condition is not related to the situation in the main/matrix clause His style is florid, if that’s the right word. If you are going my way, I need a lift. OPEN CONDITION - type of direct condition; neutral condition If Peter is in Žilina, he is undoubtedly staying at the Holiday Inn. (It is unresolved whether Peter is in Žilina, and hence it is unresolved whether he is staying at the Holiday Inn).
HYPOTHETICAL CONDITION - direct condition They would be here with us if they had the time. (= They presumably do not have the time.) If you had listened to me, you wouldn’t have made so many mistakes. (= You certainly did not listen to me). RHETORICAL CONDITION A type: If they are Irish, I am the Pope. (the proposition in the MC is evidently absurd and the proposition in the CC is shown to be false) B type: He is ninety, if he is a day. (The proposition in the CC is evidently true, the proposition in the MC is shown to be true.) NOTES ON CONDITIONAL CLAUSES Note 1: CC tend to admit non-assertive forms: If you have any trouble, let me know. Note 2: In formal context we can use: If it was to rain, the ropes would snap. If a serious crisis should arise, they would know it. Note 3: S-O inversion without a subordinator: Had I known, I would have written before. Should you change your mind, no one would blame you.
Concessive clauses - are introduced by although or more informal though. - other subordinators: while, even if and formal whereas. Whereas the amendment is supported in the Senate, its fate is doubtful in the House. Though well over eighty, she can walk faster than I can. - the situation in the MC is contrary to what we expect in view of the situation in the CC.
Clauses of contrast -
are introduced by: whereas, while, whilst, although, though, even though
Mr Larson teaches physics, while Mr Corby teaches chemistry. Although he knows what to do, he seldom does it. -
there is often a mixture of contrast and concession
UNIVERSAL AND ALTERNATIVE C-C CLAUSES A. Universal conditional-concessive clauses are introduced by wh-words + – ever Whatever I say to them, I can’t keep them quiet.// Don’t let them in, whoever they are. // However great the pitfalls (are/may be), we must do our best to succeed. The verb be can be omitted if the subject is an abstract noun phrase. (= pitfalls, problems...etc.)
B. Alternative conditional-concessive clauses - a correlative sequence whether......or (whether) is used - it combines the conditional meaning of if with the disjunctive meaning of either.....or Whether right or wrong, your son needs all the support. Whether Martin pays for the broken vase or (whether) he replaces it with a new one, I am not inviting him again.
