Use Adverb Time and Cause Connector Correctly (Skill 7)

Previous skill: Use Coordinate Connector Correctly (Skill 6)

Sentences with adverb clauses have two basic patterns in English. Study the clauses and connector in the following sentences.

I will sign the check before you leave

Before you leave, I will sign the check.

In each of these examples, there are two clauses you leave and I will sign the check, and the clause you leave is an adverb time clause because it is introduced with the connector before. 

In the first example, the connector before comes in the middle of the sentence, and no comma (,) is used.

In the second example, the connector before comes at the beginning of the sentence. In this pattern, when the connector comes at the beginning of the sentences, a comma (,) is required in the middle of the sentence.

The following example shows how this sentence pattern could be tested in structure questions on the TOEFL test.

Example:

_____was late, I missed the appointment.

(A) I

(B) Because

(C) The train

(D) Since he

Analysis:

• In this example you should recognize easily that there is a verb, was, that needs a subject. There is also another clause, I missed the appointment. If you choose answer (A) or answer (C), you will have a subject for the verb was, but you will not have a connector to join the two clauses. Because you need a connector to join two clauses, answers (A) and (C) are incorrect. Answer (B) is incorrect because there is no subject for the verb was. Answer (D) is the best answer because there is a subject, he, for the verb was, and there is a connector, since, to join the two clauses.

The following chart lists adverb time and cause connectors and the sentence patterns used with them:

EXERCISE 7:

Look at the following sentence and then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

1. (Since) the bank closes in less than an hour, the deposits need to be tallied immediately. (C)

    Analysis:

• Both clauses and connector, since, are correct.

2. Their backgrounds are thoroughly investigated (before) are admitted to the organization. (I)

    Analysis:

• 2nd clause, are limited, is incorrect because it doesn't have a subject.
• The connector is corrrect.
• The correct sentence could be .......before they are admitted to the organization.

3. The citizens are becoming more and more incensed about traffic accidents whenever the accidents occur at that intersection. (C)

    Analysis:

• Both clauses and connectort are correct.

4. The ground had been prepared, the seedlings were carefully planted. (I)

    Analysis:

• Both clauses are correct, but there is no connector.
• The correct sentence could  be ............had been prepared, and the seeedlings .....

5. We can start the conference now that all the participants have arrived. (C)

    Analysis:

• Both clauses and connector (that) are correct.

6. The building quite vulnerable to damage until the storm windows are installed. (I)

    Analysis:

• 1st clause has no Verb (is).
• The connector, until, is correct.
• The correct sentence could be The building is quite vulnerable ........

7. Once the address label for the package is typed, can be sent to the mail room. (I)

     Analysis:

• 2nd sentence has no Subject.
• Connector, once, is correct.
• The correct sentence could be ............the package is type, it can be sent ......

8. Because the recent change in work shifts was not posted, several workers missed their shifts. (C)

    Analysis:

• Both clauses and connector, because, are correct.

9. The mother is going to be quite upset with her son as long as he misbehaves so much. (C)

    Analysis:

• Both clauses and connector, as long as, are correct. 

10. Inasmuch as all the votes have not yet been counted the outcome of the election cannot be announced. (I)

     Analysis:

• Both clause are correct but there is no comma between two clauses.
• Correct sentence couldbe .............yet been counted, the outcome of the election,,,,,