1. Unit 20
Grammar Notes
Pages 344-346

2. 1. Remember that a clause is a group of words with a
subject and a verb that shows time.
A phrase does not have both a subject and a verb
showing time.
It commonly has a present or past participle.
Clause After he sped away, he heard a shot.
Phrase After speeding away, he heard a shot.

3. 1. Some adverb clauses can be shortened to adverb phrases in ways
similar to the ways adjective clauses can be shortened --
by reducing the clauses are changing them.
Adverb Clause We had a flat tire while we were touring.
Reduced
We had a flat tire while touring.
Adverb Phrase
Adverb Clause After we fixed the flat tire, we were on our
way again.
Changed
Adverb Clause
After fixing the flat tire, we were on our
way again.

4. 1.
Negative adverb phrases contain the word not
or never before the participle.
After not eating all day, we were hungry.
Never having eaten in an American restaurant
before, we did not know how much to leave for a
tip.

5. 2. Adverb clauses can be reduced to adverb phrases when the
clause has a form of be.
To reduce an adverb clause to a phrase, omit the subject
pronoun and the form of be. If the original sentence has
commas, keep the commas in the reduced sentence.
Adverb Clause While they were driving, they were
attacked by bandits.
Reduced
Adverb Phrase
While driving, they were attacked by
bandits.

6. 2. Be careful!
You can reduce an adverb clause to an adverb phrase
only if the subjects in both clauses of the sentence refer
to the same person or thing.
Adverb Clause Reg and Maggie drove while the children
were sleeping.
NOT **Reg and Maggie drove sleeping.

7. 2. Note:
An adverb phrase can come first or second in the
sentence. When it comes first, we place a comma after
it.
Adverb phrase
first
While driving, they were attacked by
bandits.
Adverb phrase
second
They were attacked by bandits while
driving.

8. 3. Adverb clauses of time beginning with after, before, since and while can
be changed to adverb phrases when the clause has no form of be.
To change an adverb clause to an adverb phrase, omit
the subject pronoun and change the verb to its –ing
form. Keep the subordinating conjunction and the
original punctuation.
Adverb clause After they visited the Paestum, the Greens
drove south.
Adverb phrase After visiting the Paestum, the Greens
drove south.

9. 3. Be careful!
You can change an adverb clause to a phrase only if the
subjects in the two clauses of the sentences refer to the
same person or thing.
Adverb Clause After the bandits saw the Greens’ car, the
Greens sped away.
NOT **After seeing the Greens’ car, the Greens
sped away.

10. 4.
A simple past or past perfect verb in an adverb clause
changes to the –ing form or having + past participle in an
adverb phrase
Adverb Clause After they opened the door, they saw the blood =
After they had opened the door, they saw the
blood.
Adverb Phrase After opening the door, they saw the blood =
Having opened the door, they saw the blood.

11. 5.
Upon or on + -ing in an adverb phrase has the
same meaning as when in an adverb clause.
Adverb Clause When they realized what had happened, they
pulled to the side of the road.
Adverb Phrase On realizing what had happened, they pulled to the
side of the road =
Upon realizing what had happened, they pulled to
the side of the road.

12. 6. The subordinating conjunction is
sometimes omitted in a phrase.
A phrase without a subordinating conjunction is
called an adverbial phrase.
Adverb Clause While I was sitting on the porch, I thought about
my future.
Adverb Phrase While sitting on the porch, I thought about my
future.
Adverbial
Phrase
Sitting on the porch, I thought about my future

13. 6. Be careful!
Do not omit the subordinating conjunction in a
passive construction.
Adverb Phrase I worked for two years before being accepted at the
university.
NOT **I worked for two years being accepted at the
university.

14. 7. Adverb clauses of reason can be
changed to adverbial phrases.
The subordinating conjunctions because, since
or as at the beginning of a clause must be
omitted in an adverbial phrase of reason.
Adverb Clause Because/Since/As the children were sleeping in the
car, they were not aware of what was happening.
Adverbial
Phrase
Sleeping in the car, the children were not aware of
what was happening.
NOT **Because sleeping in the car, the children were not
aware of what was happening.

15. 7.
Because/Since/As + a form of be can be changed
to being in an adverbial phrase.
Adverb Clause Because/Since/As they were not satisfied, they
decided to do something about the problem.
Adverbial
Phrase
Not being satisfied, they decided to do something
about the problem.

16. 7.
A present perfect or past perfect verb in an adverb clause can be changed
to having + past participle in an adverbial phrase.
Adverb Clause Because/Since/As they had been moved by the situation,
people became organ donors.
Adverbial
Phrase
Having been moved by the situation, people became
organ donors.
Adverb Clause Because/Since/As I have never driven a truck before, I’m
feeling a bit nervous about it.
Adverbial
Phrase
Never having driven a truck before, I’m feeling a bit
nervous about it.

17. 8. A clause containing a passive verb can be changed to an adverbial
phrase with just a past participle.
If the subordinating conjunction can be omitted without
changing the meaning, delete the subject and any
auxiliaries in the passive sentence.
Adverb
Clause
Because/Since/As I was given two options, I
chose the harder of the two.
Adverbial
Phrase
Given two options, I chose the harder of
the two.

18. 8. Be careful!
If the subordinating conjunction cannot be omitted
without changing the meaning, as in some clauses of
time, form an adverb phrase by deleting the subject and
changing the form of be to being
Adverb
Clause
Before I was told the nature of the
problem, I had no idea what to do.
Adverb
Phrase
Before being told the nature of the
problem, I had no idea what to do.
NOT **Told the nature of the problem, I had no
idea what to do.

19. Reference note:
For shortening adjective clauses to
adjective phrases, see unit 13.