Check the blog
for previous tutorials:
haleyshec.blogspot.com
Complex sentences- Adverb clauses
REVIEW OF SENTENCE STYLES
*SIMPLE – 1 main/independent clause –
a clause- a group of words that has a subject
and a verb
SV
SSV SVV SSVV
Imperative Interrogative
*COMPOUND
, SOBA ; ; TRANS,
2 main clauses/independent clauses joined
together
1.
, FANBOYS , SOBA
2.
; semicolon
3.
; TRANS,
Go back and check the blog. It’s all there. It
is a resource for you to use.
*COMPLEX - 1 main clause and 1 subordinate
clause
- adverb clauses- this week
- adjective clauses- next week
- noun clauses- final week
COMPLEX SENTENCES= simple sentence + subordinate clause
main
clause + subordinate clause
COMPLEX SENTENCE- ADVERB CLAUSES
- because when if (most commonly used)
Two ways to make a sentence with an adverb
clause
because – give a reason
Jun is happy
today. Her son is visiting her.
Two main clauses. Two simple sentences.
Turn one of the main clauses into a
subordinate adverb clause.
1.
main clause + adverb clause
Jun is happy
today because her son
is visiting her.
NOTE: no comma
before because, small detail
2.
adverb clause, + main clause
Because Jun’s son
is visiting her, she is happy
today.
NOTE: use a comma
Either way is good. It is your choice.
GOOD GUIDELINE TO FOLLOW Comma or no comma.
The cat is sleeping because it is tired.
Because the cat is tired, it is sleeping.
** OLD-FASHIONED RULE- Don’t start your sentences with ‘because’.
It’s fine. I do. We can ignore this rule.
Because it’s snowy today, some people are
a little late. OK, my opinion
Some people are a little late today because it’s snowy. Alternative
Either way is fine. It’s your choice.
MY ADVICE: Mix it up! The goal is to have a
nice mix of sentence styles.
Some people are a little late, because it’s
snowy. NOT THE BEST STYLE ,
ADVICE: Don’t put a comma before ‘because’.
You will see people do it, but it isn’t the best choice.
Stylistic choice, writing style
Cooma usage is very personal- you will find
your own style with practice.
MY FREE ADVICE- Be consistent with your comma
usage.
COMMA ERROR
Some people are a little late today. Because it’s snowy. XXX fragment
I am going to school. Because I want to become
a doctor. XXX
Because I want to become a doctor. XXX
sentence fragment
FIXES
I am going to school because I want to become
a doctor.
Because I want to become a doctor, I am going
to school.
OTHER OPTIONS
I am going to school. I want to become a
doctor. SIMPLES
I want to become a doctor; therefore, I am
going to school. COMPOUND
MAIN THING ABOUT COMMAS:
The baby is crying because she is tired. NO COMMA
Because the baby is tired, she is crying. COMMA
Good style. Works everywhere- school, job,
writing
MAIN CLAUSE (SIMPLE SENTENCE)
ADVERB CLAUSE
MAIN CL + ADVERB CL = COMPLEX SENTENCE
Do it like that. Everything will be ok.
* when - time
1.
main clause + adverb clause
My dog gets
up when I get up. no comma
2.
adverb clause, + main clause
When I get up, my dog gets up. comma
Call your sister when you get home.
When you get home, call your sister.
IMPERATIVE Call your sister.
IMPERATIVE (command) Close the window if you
feel cold.
If you feel a chill, close the window.
SAME MEANING- your choice, try it both ways
When Harim got up this morning, she was
surprised to see snow on the ground.
Harim was surprised to see snow on the ground
when she got up this morning.
when – same time, pretty much the same time
after, before – not the same time
Harim was
surprised to see snow on the ground after she got up this morning.
Joan met Steve when she came to Vancouver.
Joan met Steve after she came to Vancouver.
We had to quarantine for 14 days when we came
to Canada.
I felt homesick after I moved to BC.
when – one time, once
whenever- everytime, happens many times
Whenever Butter has to pee, he rings a
bell on the door.
My neighbour’s dog escapes whenever they let
it out in the backyard.
Whenever it rains, I use an umbrella.
I use an umbrella whenever it rains.
I use an umbrella when it rains. OK
When she goes to China, she brings maple syrup
for her friends.
Whenever she goes to China, she brings maple
syrup for her friends.
SUBTLE DIFFERENCES IN MEANING, NUANCED
*if- maybe yes, maybe no, don’t know
1.
main clause + adverb clause
Maria should start saving her money if she wants to buy that expensive dress. no
comma
2.
adverb clause, + main clause
If Maria wants to buy that expensive dress, she should start saving her money. comma
If Maria wants to buy that expensive dress. She should start saving her money. sentence fragment, frag
FIXES
If Maria wants to buy that expensive dress, she
should start saving her money.
SENTENCE VARIETY
Maria wants to buy that expensive dress. She
should start saving her money. TWO SIMPLES
Maria wants to buy that expensive dress, so she
should start saving her money. COMPOUND
Maria wants to buy that expensive dress;
therefore, she should start saving her money. COMPOUND
Maria wants to buy that expensive dress; because
of that, she should start saving her money. COMPOUND
‘because’ many uses
because of that = therefore
Because Maria wants to buy that expensive
dress, she should start saving her money. COMPLEX- ADVERB CLAUSE
COMMON ERROR
Because Maria wants to buy that expensive
dress, so she should start saving her money. because so – don’t go together, choose one
FIX
Because Maria wants to buy that expensive
dress, she should start saving her money. COMPLEX
Maria wants to buy that expensive dress, so she
should start saving her money. COMPOUND
No capital letter after a ; Only one sentence
Capital letter after a period, exclamation
point, question mark.
She loves dogs. She wants to get one.
She loves dogs. Therefore, she wants to get
one.
She loves dogs; therefore, she wants to get
one.
She loves dogs, so she wants to get one.
SIMPLE
COMPOUND COMPLEX
Call me if you want to go for a hike.
If there is heavy snow, listen to the radio regarding school
cancellations.
Listen to the radio. imperative (simple
sentence)
***
**
Model for adverb clauses:
Main clause adverb clause.
Adverb clause, main
clause.
**
***
**** YOUR CHOICE. You should be able to do it
both ways. GOAL! ****
* ‘if’ – past, present, future
My sister would play with her dolls if she was
bored.
Let’s grab some coffee if you are free now.
I will grab some milk on the way home.
IDIOM grab
but
I will call you if I need a lift to the
airport.
Let’s grab some lunch. – casual fast lunch
Grab your coat and hat. Let’s go.
EXAMPLES:
You should call your sister if you want a ride
from the airport.
If you want a ride from the airport, you
should call your sister.
You should call your sister, if you want a
ride from the airport. XXX punc
-small error, does not impede understanding,
still not right
IMPERATIVE: Call your sister.
Call your sister if you want to get a ride.
If you want to get a ride, call your sister.
COMPOUND
2 independent clauses put together
COMPLEX
1 independent clause and 1 dependent clause
put together
COMPOUND
We are going camping this weekend, so we have
to pack our gear.
COMPLEX
We have to pack our gear because we are going
camping this weekend.
Because we are going camping this weekend, we
have to pack our gear.
Same information- different sentence styles-
compound and complex
GOOD WORDS FOR ADVERB CLAUSES
* Adverbial conjunctions (adverb clause words)
Learning these will expand your ability to express your thoughts
more clearly and precisely in English.
** When you learn these 25, you will be a star in your English
class!
time- after,
before, since, ever since, until, when, whenever,
while
place- wherever
condition - if, even if, provided that, unless
manner- as,
as if, though, although, even though, so ... that
cause- because,
since
purpose- in
order that, in order to, so that,
OTHERS: only if, if only
*after- time
The kids did their homework after
supper. prepositional phrase SIMPLE
The kids did their homework after SV supper.
COMPLEX- ADVERB CL
The kids did their homework after they
finished/had/ate supper. no comma
After the kids finished supper, they
did their homework. comma
This is an important difference!
The kids did their homework after
supper. SIMPLE
The kids did their homework after they
finished supper. COMPLEX
After they finished supper, the
kids did their homework. COMPLEX
After the kids finished supper, they did their homework. COMPLEX BETTER
After she called, … Who is
she?
After Mary called, … BETTER
The kids finished supper, and they did their homework. COMPOUND
Writing a variety of sentence styles.
Choice!! Variety!!
Keeping your writing fresh and interesting.
* before- Call me before you leave. complex- adverb clause
Call me before 8pm.
Simple
Let the puppy out before
he pees on the floor. COMPLEX-
ADV CL
Before the puppy pees on
the floor, let her/it out. Does it sound good? Does
it sound natural and authentic? Grammar is ok, but it doesn’t sound authentic.
It sounds it a little unnatural and weird.
I don’t know how to teach that. That’s your job to become more
familiar with authentic English.
Authentic- real life, actual usage, recognizable
Mei cooks authentic Xian noodles.
·
since – two meanings: time, reason,
because
since-time
Mrs Mok has lived in Canada since 1998. SIMPLE
Mrs Mok has lived in Canada since SV 1998. COMPLEX SV
Mrs Mok has lived in Canada since she moved/arrived/came/immigrated here from Vietnam in 1983.
COMPLEX- ADV CL
* NOTE: simple past instead past perfect
Past perfect is not commonly used by native English speakers.
May has lived in Canada since she had moved here from
Vietnam in 1998.
May has lived in Canada since she moved here from Vietnam
in 1998.
-since – reason, same as ‘because’
Joe is a little frustrated right now because the internet
keeps dropping out.
Joe is a little frustrated right now since the
internet keeps dropping out.
Because the internet keeps dropping out, Joe is a little frustrated right now.
Since the internet keeps dropping out, Joe
is a little frustrated.
because/since – Your choice. Mix it up! Variety is a strength in
writing.
Don’t be like Barack Obama. – same suit everyday
because of + noun/ noun clause
SIMPLE
Joe is a little frustrated right now because of the internet.
Joe is a little frustrated right now because of problems with the
internet.
Joe is a little frustrated right now because of internet problems.
due to + noun
Joe is a little frustrated right now due to the internet.
Joe is a little frustrated right now due to the internet.
Joe is a little frustrated right now due to problems with the
internet.
Joe is a little frustrated right now due to internet problems
I am a little frustrated right now due to the internet dropping out.
because SV
because of NOUN
due to NOUN
according to + SOURCE OF INFORMATION
According to CNN, Trump may run again in 2024.
I am very confusing person to live with according to my wife.
You are a very difficult person to be around because you are all
over the place.
SIMPLE
‘dropping’- noun, gerund
*until – time (waiting)
I will wait until you finish.
Until you finish, I will wait. Don’t sound natural. Sounds like poetry. Good for a poem or a
song, or a love letter. Use your ear. Does it sound good?
We were was waiting for you until 10 pm. SIMPLE
I was waiting for you until I fell asleep. COMPLEX- ADV CL
You were waiting until your sister called you. COMPLEX
Srah will keep learning English until she is fluent. COMPLEX
fluent(adj)- expert, authentic, natural-sounding
Junko isn’t fluent in English, but she can get by.
NOTE: until – good for writing
- til – very casual, good for talking not for school writing
Same as ‘because’ - for
writing ‘cause’- very casual talking,
not for school writing
til- casual, for spoken, not for writing
cause, cuz- casual, for spoken, not for writing, no good for school
gonna XXX
going to
until and because – good for school wriitng, business writing,
important writing
·
when/while
when – one time occurrence, individual occurrence
while – two actions happening at the same time
occurrence(n) occur(v)- happening, happen
You were working while your family was sleeping.
While you are in school, your kids are in daycare.
Students were using their cell phones while the teacher was
teaching.
STRANGE Maria was washing the dishes while the phone rang.
phone rang *
washing
_______________________________
Maria was washing the dishes while the phone was ringing. UNLIKELY
Sarah was washing the dishes when the phone rang. MORE LIKELY
one moment in time
while –
Sarah was washing the dishes while Joe was watching TV.
Maria was washing the dishes while her husband was sweeping the
floor. MORE LIKELY OCCURRENCE
sweeping *******************************************
washing
___________________________________________
I can’t talk to you while I am driving. I will call you back when I
park my car.
My daughter was reading while I was playing guitar.
*while – comparison, show difference
I get up early while you get up late.
Mei is very short while Doris is very tall.
Vancouver is cold and rainy while Mexico City is hot and dry.
COMPLEX ADV CL
Vancouver is cold and rainy, but Mexico City is hot and dry.
COMPOUND
Vancouver is cold and rainy; however, Mexico City is hot and dry.
COMPOUND
Her daughter loves school while her son is really not into it.
‘into it’ ‘into something’ – enjoy it, your thing, your hobby, your
passion
Nasrin is really into outdoor activities.
I’m not into it. It’s not my thing.
TRUE FACT: It is difficult to differentiate between these right now.
That will come with practice. It will take some time and practice.
PRO TIP
‘while’ fits well with continuous/progressive tenses ‘ing’
Her dog stares at her while she is eating supper.
Her sister scrolls through her phone while she is watching
Netflix.
She found a scroll in a bottle floating in the ocean. It was a
message in a bottle.
***while + progressive tense
Go together really well.
She likes to listen to music while she is driving.
NEW IDIOM ‘doom scrolling’- scrolling on your phone for a long time
out of boredom, wasting time
Julie winds up doom scrolling before she falls asleep every night.
doom scrolling – surfing the internet, usually on your phone,
without direction
IDIOM wind up- the end result, didn’t plan it
Jun lived in many countries but wound up in Canada.
Alex wanted to be a writer, but he wound up teaching English.
stroll(v) – walk casually, slowly, without direction
stroller- baby carriage
He sings while he is driving. COMPLEX
He sings while driving. SIMPLE
driving- gerund
I read while listening to music.
I read while I listen to music.
What’s the main activity?
I listen to music while I am reading. Reading
I drive while I am listening to the news.
I listen to the news while I’m driving. ‘driving’ is the main
activity
I am listening to the news while I’m diriving- present
progressive- right now
I listen to the news while I’m diriving- simple present- usually,
habit
The music is beautiful while sad. sounds like grammar book
The music is beautiful but sad. sounds more authentic SIMPLE
The music is beautiful, but it is sad. COMPOUND
* since/ever since
since – time
ever since – feels like a long time
Marie has been waiting for the bus since 11:40. (less than five
minutes) SIMPLE
Marie has been waiting for the bus ever since 11:00. (more than 40
minutes) SIMPLE
ever since – feels like a long time, your emotion, your feeling
I’ve been trying to get a job ever since October.
I’ve been trying to get a job since October.
Mui has been living in Vancouver since she came to Canada.
COMPLEX
Mui has been living in Vancouver ever since she came to Canada in
1975. COMPLEX -adverb clause
SUBTLE DIFFERENCES- They help us to express our thoughts precisely.
We have been friends since we were nine years old. OK
We have been BFFs ever since we were nine years old. BETTER
BFF – best friends forever, IDIOM
We will be BFFs even when we are old and grey.
Maria has lived in Canada ever since 1990. simple
Maria has lived in Canada ever since she moved from Indonesia in 1990.
complex- adverb clause
Maria has lived in Canada since 2018. SIMPLE SENTENCE
Maria has lived in Canada ever since 1978. long time SIMPLE
SENTENCE
Maria has lived in Canada since she moved from Japan in 2018.
COMPLEX SENTENCE adverb clause
Maria has lived in Canada ever since she moved from Japan
in 1988. long time
We have been in class since 8:30. doesn’t feel like a long time
We have been waiting for the bus ever since 8:30. feels like a long
time
since/ ever since – depends on your feeling, express your underlying
emotion about a situation
MODELS using ‘since’ in simple sentences:
‘since’ implies a span of time, usually past until now
I came to Canada since 2019. SIMPLE XXX prep
I came to Canada in 2019. SIMPLE
I have lived in Canada since 2019. SIMPLE present perfect
* present perfect – verb tense, a span of time from the past until
the present
GOOD MATCH: ‘since’ and present perfect tense
Luis has worked at the dealership since 2018. present
perfect
Luis has been working at the dealership since 2018.
present perfect continuous
present perfect and present perfect continuous – very similar,
pretty much interchangeable
has worked present perfect – from the
past until now
has been working present perfect
continuous- from the past until now, suggests continuation into the future
I have been in Canada for two years. SIMPLE SENTENCE
I have been living in Canada for two years. SIMPLE SENTENCE
subtlety of verb tense
‘simple’ two uses: simple verb tense, simple sentence (style)
I lived in Canada since 2019. Not the best verb choice. simple past
I have lived in Canada since 2019.
I have been living in Canada since 2019.
I have lived in Canada since April, 2019.
I have lived in Canada since April 24th, 2019.
*whenever -every time, happens over and over
Whenever her dog is left alone, he tips
over the garbage and makes a mess.
Her dog tips over the garbage and makes a mess whenever he is
left alone.
Emiko feels homesick whenever she looks at her photo album of
family pictures.
Whenever Emiko looks at her photo album of family pictures, she feels homesick.
Whenever he drinks water, he spills it all over himself like a kid.
Sarah will go to the party if
she is free.
We will go to the park if
it is sunny.
If it is sunny, we will go to the park.
*even if – opposite of ‘if’
Sarah will not go to the
party even if she is free.
We will go to the park even
if it is not sunny.
‘if’
A clause B clause
Sarah will go to the party if
she is free.
B affects A, A depends on B
‘even if’
A
B
Sarah will not go to the
party even if she is free.
B does not affect A, A does not depend on B
Jun will not buy a new phone
even if it is on sale.
Jun will buy a new phone if
it is on sale.
I will buy a new phone if I
can afford it. Will I buy a new phone? YES/NO
I will not buy a new phone
even if I can afford it. Will I buy a new phone? NO
I will not allow my son to
stay out until midnight even if the other kids are allowed.
I will allow my son to stay
out until midnight if there is a parent with them.
if / even if
* even though – the
situation is true, not conditional
* even if – maybe YES, maybe
NO, conditional
Sheila will not go to the
party even though she was invited. Was she invited? YES
Sheila will not go to the
party even if she is invited. Was she invited? Uncertain. YES/NO
Michele will go kayaking
even if it is raining. Is it raining? Not sure.
Michele will go kayaking
even though it is raining. Is it raining? Yes.
Junko will not buy a new
iphone13 even though it is on sale.
A good way to change the
subject:
Anyway…
Anyhow…
*provided that – ‘if’ for
important things
Let’s grab some coffee if
you’re free. – not important
You can change your career provided
that you have made a good plan.
- makes it sound important
You can go to UBC if/provided
that you have the prereqs. (prerequisite courses)
provided that – makes it
sound important, signaling to your reader that this is significant to you
I allow my son to stay out
until midnight provided that there is an adult there to keep an eye on things.
You can go to the party
provided that you make good decisions.
You can choose when to use
it.
going to the beach?
getting married?
immigrating to a new
country?
getting some ice cream?
We can continue to be
friends provided that you be honest with me.
grab some coffee- (casual)
have some coffee
*unless – changes the
situation, opposite of ‘if’ ‘provided that’
Let’s grab some coffee if
you’re free.
Let’s grab some coffee unless
you’re busy.
free/busy -opposites
Sarah will go to the beach
if it is nice on Saturday.
Sarah will go to the beach
unless it is rainy on Saturday.
You can not pass the exam
unless you work hard.
You can pass the exam if you
work hard.
if / unless – opposite,
negative, positive
Instead of using ‘if’ all
the time, try ‘unless’ instead.
Let’s take a raincheck on
coffee if you are busy. (idiom)
IDIOM take a raincheck – we
will do it later, postpone
An item is on sale, but
there are none left. “Can I have a raincheck, please?” “I’d like a raincheck,
please.”
Let’s go for a hike this
Saturday.
Oh, I can’t. Can I take a
raincheck?
“No rainchecks.”
Do you want to go for a walk
today?
I have a doctor’s
appointment. Can I take a raincheck?
Doctor’s assistant: Can you
come next Wednesday at 3?
You: I have to take a
raincheck. I’m busy. I’m already booked. How about Thursday at 2?
IDIOM Let’s pencil it in. I
will pencil it in. – unconfirmed appointment
You make an appointment with
someone to go for lunch next Tuesday. You are not 100% sure if you can make it.
“Let’s pencil it in. I might get called into work.”
RSVP- wedding invitations-
French ‘repondez s’il-vous-plait’
‘if you please’ “Please let
me know.”
* though (a bit more
casual), although, even though – same meaning
Dave is playing with his
kids even though/ although / though he has a lot of work to do.
I like the weather even
though/ although/ though it is very hot.
MY OPINION: I don’t use
‘though’ for school writing. I use it for casual writing or talking.
TWO DIFFERENT WAYS
Ken likes the weather
although it is very hot.
Although it is very hot, Ken
likes the weather.
The ice cream is delicious
even though it gives me brain freeze.
IDIOM an ice cream headache,
brain freeze
SOLUTION: push your thumb up
into your hard palate, the roof of your mouth
soft palate
palace
palate
pallet- square wooden base
for loading things, can be lifted with a
forklift
tines
* so ... that
so ADJ that
Junko is so tall and thin
that she has trouble buying pants.
Yesterday was so hot that
Mike sat inside of his refrigerator.
The kitten is so small
that you can hold it in the palm of your hand.
Sarah is so tired that
she is nodding off in the meeting.
IDIOM nodding off- falling
asleep
The little kid was so
scared of the dark that he couldn’t get to sleep.
The Math is so hard that
I have to study three hours a day to stay on top of it.
IDIOM stay on top of –
manage something important
Mr. Smith has to stay on top
of his high blood pressure.
Butter is so quiet today
that you didn’t even know he was there.
SAME MEANING- DIFFERENT
STYLE ‘so…that’ alternative to ‘because’
Jun is so tall that she
has trouble buying pants.
Because Jun is so tall,
she has trouble buying pants.
Sarah is so tired that
she is nodding off in the meeting.
Because Sarah is so tired,
she is nodding off in the meeting.
PRO LEVEL
‘, so’ and ‘so ... that’ are not the same thing.
, so COMPOUND
so... that COMPLEX
* so that
so…that so that – different
so that
Maria is saving money so
that she can buy a new car.
SOURCE OF CONFUSION: , so
so…that so that
Maria is saving money, so
she can buy a new car. XXX
Maria wants to buy a new
car, so she is saving money.
so that &
, so - different usage
Review and practice. Take
time to figure it all out. There is a lot here.
These terms and words can
change the way you express yourself in English. They can really help you
express your thoughts and ideas precisely and clearly.
These are very powerful
terms; you can learn to use them.
This is real authentic
English that we use all day, every day.
These terms will help you
take the next step in your English writing and speaking.
SIDE NOTE: I have a small
editing business on the side. I edit papers for UBC and SFU students, mostly
nursing students who are getting their masters degrees. When I edit a paper for
a university, I use SIMPLE, COMPOUND and COMPLEX sentences.
The stuff we are learning
here will get you through school, work, personal or business communication.
Focus on these most useful
ones- high frequency terms:
after/before
because
since
ever since
until
when/while
if
even if
unless
though/although/even though
so ... that
so that
If you get those, you’ll be on
fire.
Review and practice!
IDIOM –‘on fire’ doing really well, playing
really well.
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