How to Use Adverb Clauses of Time: Rules and Examples

📚 Quick Study Guide: Adverb Clauses of Time

• ⏰ Definition: An adverb clause of time is a dependent clause that tells when something happens. It modifies the main verb in the independent clause.
• 🔗 Common Subordinating Conjunctions: These clauses are introduced by subordinating conjunctions such as when, while, as, before, after, until, till, since, as soon as, by the time, whenever, once, no sooner...than, hardly/scarcely...when.
• 📍 Placement:
  • ➡️ Beginning of Sentence: If the adverb clause comes before the independent clause, it is followed by a comma. (e.g., After she finished her homework, she watched TV.)
  • ⬅️ End of Sentence: If the adverb clause comes after the independent clause, no comma is usually needed. (e.g., She watched TV after she finished her homework.)
• ⚠️ Function: It answers the question "When?" about the action in the main clause.
• 💡 Key Tip: Always look for the subordinating conjunction to identify the beginning of the adverb clause.

🧠 Practice Quiz: Adverb Clauses of Time

1. Which sentence correctly uses an adverb clause of time?

• A) She sings, while he dances.
• B) While he dances, she sings.
• C) She sings, and he dances.
• D) She sings while he dances.

2. Identify the adverb clause of time in the following sentence: "I will call you as soon as I arrive."

• A) as soon as I arrive
• B) I will call you
• C) you as soon as
• D) I arrive

3. Choose the correct punctuation: "______ she finished her work she went home."

• A) As she finished her work, she went home.
• B) As she finished her work she went home.
• C) She finished her work, as she went home.
• D) She went home as she finished her work.

4. Which subordinating conjunction is NOT typically used for adverb clauses of time?

• A) before
• B) since
• C) because
• D) until

5. In the sentence "Whenever it rains, I bring an umbrella," what does the adverb clause modify?

• A) an umbrella
• B) bring
• C) I
• D) rains

6. Complete the sentence with an appropriate adverb clause of time: "He studies hard ______ his exams begin."

• A) before
• B) although
• C) because
• D) wherever

7. Which of the following sentences requires a comma?

• A) She arrived after the movie started.
• B) He ate dinner once he finished his chores.
• C) They played outside until it got dark.
• D) When the bell rang, the students left.