Finite adverbial clauses

Question

What are finite adverbial clauses?Julia

Dokterjokkebrok · Accepted Answer

Hi

A finite adverbial clause is a clause that functions as an adverb in a sentence and has a finite verb form in it.

Let's use an finite adverbial of time as an example:

Every time I see him I am really scared. (Every time I see him = adverbial clause

(I am really scared = main clause

In case of time adverbials, they can usually be replaced with the word 'then'. They tell us something about time. (But other kinds of adverbials are also possible).

Then I am really scared. When are you really scared? Every time I see him!

To continue, you must know that verbs are either finite or non-finite.

A finite form shows tense and usually if it's singular/plural as well (it must agree with its subject).

Every time I see him I am really scared. --> Every time I saw him I was really scared.

The fact that we were able to change 'see' into 'saw' (from present to past) confirms that 'Every time I saw him' is in fact a finite adverbial clause, because with non-finites this would not have been possible.

So, it has met with two demands: (the 1st one only holds true for adverbials of time).
- It tells us something about time (You can ask 'When are you really scared?' Answer: Every time...
- It contains a subject and predicate which show tense and usually if it's singular/plural as well.

Note that 'adverbial clauses (of time)' are often introduced by conjunctions such as when, before, after, since, while, as, until. That's usually how you can recognize them.

Regards

Dokterjokkebrok

Anonymous · Answer

Hi Dokterjokkebrok,

Thanks for that.

Now I need to design a lesson plan around students who have repeat conjunctions in finite adverbial clauses eg: Although he joined the class late, but he caught up quickly.

Any clues / tips?

Julia

Finite adverbial clauses

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