Adverbial Clauses and Phrases
Quite often, an adverb in a sentence comprises several words. These types of adverbs are called adverbial
phrases or adverbial clauses. Adverbial phrases and clauses (shown in
italics below) can usually be categorised as one of the following:
Adverbs of Time
 A crow attacked your cat
while I was waiting for the bus.
Every time he cracked a
joke, the punters roared with laughter.
(Note the comma. This is explained in the hot tip to the right.)
Adverbs of Place
It is colder and
wetter
in the north of Germany.
Put the sign where the students can read
it.
Adverbs of Manner
That dog is walking around
like he owns the place.
She is acting as if she has stolen
something.
Adverbs of Degree
You are not as clever
as you think you are.
He is as modest
as is he is brilliant.
Adverbs of Condition
If I have the
time, I will show you the cellar after the shift.
I will come with you provided my suit is back from the dry
cleaners.
Adverbs of Concession
Although only four years
old, Oliver can do long multiplication.
I will cover for you
although I may lose my job.
Adverbs of Reason
We were forced to abandon the match
because the skies opened up.
Since it is your
birthday, you can sit in the front.
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USE A COMMA WHEN IT'S AT THE FRONT
There are very few problems associated with adverbial clauses and phrases. The main grammar point is whether to use a comma or not.
When an adverbial clause or phrase is at the front of a sentence, it is usual to use a comma.
 A crow attacked your cat
while I was waiting for the bus. 
(no comma required - adverbial clause at the end of the sentence)
While I was waiting for the
bus, a crow attacked your cat.
(comma required - adverbial clause at the start)
It is colder and wetter
in the north of Germany.
(no comma required - adverbial clause at the end of the sentence)
In the north of
Germany, it is colder and wetter.
(comma required - adverbial clause at the start)
See
the lesson Commas
after Sentence Introductions
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Common grammar errors
