Clauses · CEFR B1 · Independent
Adverb clauses — English clauses
A clause that behaves like an adverb — telling when, why, or in spite of what. It can go before or after the main clause; before it, it takes a comma.
The shape
main clause + when / because / although / so that + clause
Attach a reason, a time or a contrast to a sentence.
In Hindi
ऐसा उपवाक्य जो क्रियाविशेषण की तरह काम करे। मुख्य वाक्य से पहले आए तो अल्पविराम लगता है।
CoCap explains every structure in both languages, because a rule you understand in Hindi is a rule you can use in English.
The mistake to fix first
The sentence Indian-English speakers actually produce, and the reason it is wrong.
| Commonly said | Correct English |
|---|---|
Because he was late. He missed the train. | Because he was late, he missed the train. A "because" clause cannot stand alone as a sentence. |
Easy to confuse with
Close enough to be mixed up with this one. Knowing the difference is most of knowing either.
- Compound & complexB1Join two ideas so the link between them is obvious
- when / while / before / afterA2Put two events in order inside one sentence
Questions people ask
- What is the adverb clauses used for?
- A clause that behaves like an adverb — telling when, why, or in spite of what. It can go before or after the main clause; before it, it takes a comma. In practice: attach a reason, a time or a contrast to a sentence.
- How do you form the adverb clauses?
- main clause + when / because / although / so that + clause.
- What is the most common mistake with the adverb clauses?
- Saying “Because he was late. He missed the train.” instead of “Because he was late, he missed the train.”. A "because" clause cannot stand alone as a sentence.
Where adverb clauses fits
Where this structure sits in the ladder, and what surrounds it.
Adverb clauses is a CEFR B1 structure — the independent band — and it belongs to clauses. CoCap’s syllabus files every structure this way so you can learn in order instead of jumping between whatever a search happened to return.
Reading it is not the same as saying it.
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