Reducing Adverb Clauses

We know that an adverb modifies a verb, an adjective,  or another adverb. It answers the  question of when, where, how, why, to what extent or under what conditions.

In the same manner, adverb clauses add information that elaborates on when, where, why, and how by modifying or describing verbs, adjectives or other adverbs. An adverb clause is a dependent or subordinate clause that has a relationship with the independent or main clause.  The adverb clause is referred to as the dependent clause and it connects to the independent clause with a subordinating conjunction. The subordinating conjunction establishes the relationship between the two clauses: the adverb clause and the main clause.

There may be times when you will want to reduce the adverb clause to an adverbial phrase. Reduced adverb clauses are mostly used in formal writing to add variety and conciseness to your sentence structure. 

When reducing adverb clauses, we must consider four things: 

1. Both the independent clause and the adverb clause must share the same subject. 
2. Remove the modal or auxiliary verb in the adverb clause. (There are exceptions to this.)
3. The reduction must not alter the relationship or time frame indicated in the original sentence.
4. You may leave the subordinating conjunction with the exception of because, since, or as.

EXAMPLES of Reduced Adverb Clauses

1. Although the bride was nervous, she was happy to walk down the aisle.

• The first thing you’re going to do is check the subjects in both clauses: the bride in the adverb clause and she in the main clause.
• Remove the subject “the bride” in the adverb clause and move it over to the main clause. The pronoun “she” is ambiguous. It could be any person, but you want to make sure your reader knows it’s “the bride”. 
• Remove the helping verb “was”. 

Reduction: Although nervous, the bride was happy to walk down the aisle.

2.  Once the cake is done, it must cool in the refrigerator.

• Move “the cake” over to the main clause.
• Remove the helping verb “is”.

Reduction: Once done, the cake must cool in the refrigerator.

3. Because she did not have breakfast, Minnie was hungry and tired all morning.

• Remove the subject in the adverb clause.
• Remove the helping verb did and the subordinate conjunction “because”.

Reduction: Not having breakfast, Minnie was hungry and tired all morning.

4. Before Dee goes to bed, she brushes her teeth.

• Move the subject “Dee” over to the main clause. 
• Change the verb “goes” to the present participle “going”.

Reduction: Before going to bed, Dee brushes her teeth.

5. While Father was mowing the lawn, he whistled a tune.

• Move “Father” over to the main clause.
• Remove the helping verb “was”.

While mowing the lawn, Father whistled a tune.

Caution: Beware of dangling modifiers.

6. Tom was attacked by a shark when he was swimming in the beach.

• Tom was attacked while swimming in the beach implies that the shark is the one swimming in the beach.
• Move the clause to the beginning.

While swimming in the beach, Tom was attacked by a shark.