Adverbial Clauses ESL Worksheets Games Activities - Free Printable

Let's solve the task step by step based on the image you provided. The worksheet is titled "Introduction to Adverbial Clauses" and focuses on understanding adverbial clauses — subordinate clauses that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs in the main clause.

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🔹 Part A: Matching Adverbial Clause Types

Instructions: Look at the adverbial clause in bold in the sentences below. Then match the punctuation rules for adverbial clauses.

#### Sentences:
1. Although I was tired, I had to go to school.
2. After she finished her homework, she went outside to play.
3. Because he was late, he missed the bus.

We are to match these with the correct punctuation rule from the options:

- a. are often set off by commas.
- b. are followed by commas.
- c. do not require commas.

#### Analysis:
- In sentence 1: "Although I was tired" is an introductory adverbial clause → requires a comma after it → matches b. are followed by commas.
- In sentence 2: "After she finished her homework" is also an introductory clause → followed by a comma → again b.
- In sentence 3: "Because he was late" is not at the beginning of the sentence; it comes in the middle. But note: when a clause starts the sentence, it’s usually followed by a comma. However, if it's embedded, no comma may be needed. But here, the clause is at the beginning → so still b.

Wait — actually, let’s check the correct punctuation rule:

- Introductory adverbial clauses (at the start) → followed by a comma → b
- Adverbial clauses in the middle → set off by commas → a
- Adverbial clauses at the end → do not require commas → c

So now we need to identify where each clause appears.

But looking back at the three examples:

1. Although I was tired, I had to go to school. → Introductory → b
2. After she finished her homework, she went outside to play. → Introductory → b
3. Because he was late, he missed the bus. → Introductory → b

All three are introductory, so all should be matched to b. are followed by commas.

But wait — the instructions say “Match the punctuation rules” and give three sentences, but only one choice per sentence? Let's look again.

Actually, the format seems like:

> Match the punctuation rules for adverbial clauses.

Then it lists:

1. Adverbial clauses at the start of sentences → ?
2. Sentences ending in adverbial clauses → ?
3. Adverbial clauses in the middle of sentences → ?

And then options:

a. are often set off by commas
b. are followed by commas
c. do not require commas

So this is about general rules.

Let’s match:

1. Adverbial clauses at the start of sentences → They are followed by commas → b
2. Sentences ending in adverbial clauses → No comma needed unless it's restrictive, but generally no comma required → c
3. Adverbial clauses in the middle of sentences → These are set off by commas on both sides → a

✔ So the answers are:
1. b
2. c
3. a

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🔹 Part B: Underline the adverbial clause in each sentence

Now underline the adverbial clause in each sentence.

1. I packed a picnic in case I felt hungry later.
→ in case I felt hungry later → adverbial clause of condition

2. Dogs like cheese as much as humans do.
→ as much as humans do → comparative adverbial clause (manner)

3. I stayed at the park until it got dark.
→ until it got dark → time adverbial clause

4. Since I didn’t have school, I stayed in bed until noon.
→ Since I didn’t have school → reason adverbial clause

5. While I had no problem learning English, I found it hard.
→ While I had no problem learning English → contrast/time adverbial clause

6. Take your laptop with you whenever I go.
→ Wait: “whenever I go” → but this doesn't make sense grammatically. It should probably be “whenever you go”. Assuming typo, it's whenever I go → time clause.

7. Kim walked past as if she hadn’t seen me.
→ as if she hadn’t seen me → manner adverbial clause

So underlined parts:
1. in case I felt hungry later
2. as much as humans do
3. until it got dark
4. Since I didn’t have school
5. While I had no problem learning English
6. whenever I go
7. as if she hadn’t seen me

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🔹 Part C: Categorize the subordinating conjunctions

Match the subordinating conjunctions to their function.

List of conjunctions:
like, since, because, than, before, when, if, everywhere, in case, as if, although, even though, as, so, whenever, since

Categories:
- Contrast: although, even though, although
- Time: when, before, whenever, in case
- Reason: since, because
- Comparison: than, like, as
- Manner: as if, as
- Place: everywhere
- Condition: if, in case

Now match:

| Conjunction | Category |
|------------|---------|
| like | Comparison |
| since | Reason |
| than | Comparison |
| before | Time |
| when | Time |
| if | Condition |
| everywhere | Place |
| as if | Manner |
| although | Contrast |
| even though| Contrast |
| as | Manner |
| so | (This is tricky — "so" can be used in result clauses, e.g., "so that", but not always a subordinator. But "so" is often used in "so...that" constructions. Here, likely intended as result, but not listed. Probably meant to be paired with "that" — but not included. Maybe skip or assume "so" = result? But category not listed. Alternatively, "so" can be part of "so that" — which is purpose/condition. But best fit might be Purpose — but not listed. Possibly error.)

Wait — the categories given are:

- Contrast
- Time
- Reason
- Comparison
- Manner
- Place
- Condition

So let’s assign:

- like → Comparison
- since → Reason
- than → Comparison
- before → Time
- when → Time
- if → Condition
- everywhere → Place
- as if → Manner
- although → Contrast
- even though → Contrast
- as → Manner (e.g., "as fast as")
- so → This is ambiguous. "So" alone isn't a subordinating conjunction. But "so that" is. But "so" could be used in "so...that" → result → not listed. Perhaps it's meant to be Condition or Result? But since "Result" isn't listed, maybe it's a mistake.

Alternatively, perhaps "so" is meant to be paired with "that" — but not shown.

Another possibility: "so" can be used in "so that" → purpose → but again, not listed.

Wait — “so” is sometimes used in comparisons: “as...as”, “so...as”, but “so” alone is not a subordinator.

Possibility: “so” is a typo or misplacement. But if we must assign, perhaps it's Condition (e.g., “so that”) — but incomplete.

Alternatively, in some contexts, “so” introduces a result: “I was tired, so I slept.” But “so” is coordinating here.

But in subordinate clauses, “so” is rarely used alone.

Perhaps the intended answer is:

- so → Condition (if used in “so that”), but not clear.

Alternatively, maybe “so” is meant to be Purpose — but not listed.

Wait — the list includes: in case — which is Condition.

So perhaps “so” is not a subordinating conjunction here.

But let’s look again: the list says:

> like, since, because, than, before, when, if, everywhere, in case, as if, although, even though, as, so, whenever, since

Note: since appears twice — probably a typo.

So ignore duplicates.

Now assign:

| Word | Category |
|------|--------|
| like | Comparison |
| since | Reason |
| than | Comparison |
| before | Time |
| when | Time |
| if | Condition |
| everywhere | Place |
| as if | Manner |
| although | Contrast |
| even though | Contrast |
| as | Manner |
| so | ??? |
| whenever | Time |
| in case | Condition |

So “so” is problematic.

But in some cases, “so” can introduce a result clause: “I was tired, so I left.” But “so” is not a subordinating conjunction — it’s a coordinating conjunction.

In subordinate clauses, “so” is not typically used.

But “so that” is — but “that” is missing.

Possibility: “so” is a mistake — perhaps meant to be “that”?

Or perhaps “so” is meant to be under Condition? Not really.

Alternative idea: in “so that”, “so” is part of the subordinator — but here it's listed alone.

Maybe it's meant to be Purpose — but not listed.

Given the categories, perhaps “so” is intended for Condition — but it's weak.

Alternatively, in “I did it so that I could leave”, “so that” is purpose.

But since Purpose is not a category, and Condition is close, maybe they want Condition?

But better to skip.

Wait — another possibility: “so” can be used in comparison? Like “so big as”? No.

Or “so...as to” — e.g., “He ran so fast as to win” — but again, “so” is not a subordinator.

So likely, “so” is a typo or misplaced.

But let’s assume it's meant to be Condition — or possibly Result, but not listed.

Alternatively, in some contexts, “so” is used in concession — but not common.

Best guess: “so” → Condition (if interpreted as “so that”).

But more accurately, “so” is not a subordinating conjunction — it's a coordinating or adverb.

But since it's listed, and others are, perhaps it's meant to be Purpose — but not listed.

Wait — the category “Condition” includes “if”, “in case”, etc.

“so” is not typically a condition.

But “so” can mean “in order that” — e.g., “I worked hard so that I could succeed.”

So “so” + “that” → Purpose.

But “so” alone is not a subordinator.

Thus, likely, “so” should be categorized under Purpose, but since it's not listed, perhaps it's a mistake.

Alternatively, in some grammar systems, “so” is grouped with Condition.

But I think the most plausible is that “so” is meant to be under Condition — or perhaps it's a typo.

But let's move on.

So final assignments:

| Conjunction | Category |
|------------|---------|
| like | Comparison |
| since | Reason |
| than | Comparison |
| before | Time |
| when | Time |
| if | Condition |
| everywhere | Place |
| as if | Manner |
| although | Contrast |
| even though | Contrast |
| as | Manner |
| so | ? (possibly Condition or Purpose — but not listed) |
| whenever | Time |
| in case | Condition |

Wait — “in case” is already under Condition, so “so” might be redundant.

But “so” is not a subordinating conjunction.

Alternatively, perhaps “so” is meant to be Result — but not listed.

Given the context, and since “so” is often used in “so...that” for result, but again, not a full subordinator.

Best solution: “so” → Condition (assuming it's part of “so that”).

But strictly speaking, it's not accurate.

Alternatively, perhaps it's a typo and should be “that”.

But for now, let’s assume:

- so → Condition

(Though this is debatable.)

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✔ Final Answers

#### Part A: Punctuation Rules
1. Adverbial clauses at the start of sentences → b. are followed by commas
2. Sentences ending in adverbial clauses → c. do not require commas
3. Adverbial clauses in the middle of sentences → a. are often set off by commas

#### Part B: Underline the adverbial clause
1. I packed a picnic in case I felt hungry later.
2. Dogs like cheese as much as humans do.
3. I stayed at the park until it got dark.
4. Since I didn’t have school, I stayed in bed until noon.
5. While I had no problem learning English, I found it hard.
6. Take your laptop with you whenever I go.
7. Kim walked past as if she hadn’t seen me.

(Note: Sentence 6 has a possible grammatical issue — should be “whenever you go” — but we proceed as written.)

#### Part C: Subordinating Conjunctions
| Conjunction | Category |
|-----------|----------|
| like | Comparison |
| since | Reason |
| than | Comparison |
| before | Time |
| when | Time |
| if | Condition |
| everywhere | Place |
| as if | Manner |
| although | Contrast |
| even though | Contrast |
| as | Manner |
| so | Condition (debatable, but best fit among options) |
| whenever | Time |
| in case | Condition |

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📝 Summary

This worksheet teaches:
- How adverbial clauses modify main clauses.
- Punctuation rules depending on position.
- Common subordinating conjunctions and their functions.

Understanding adverbial clauses helps in constructing complex, meaningful sentences in English.

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