Adverbial clauses refer to a verb, an adjective or an adverb of the main clause in the function of an adverbial modifier (обстоятельства). Adverbial clauses are connected with the main
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clause by means of subordinating conjunctions and connectives. Some conjunctions are polysemantic and can introduce different types of adverbial clauses, which may be confusing. Besides, many English conjunctions, prepositions and adverbs are identical in form, which also may create for students some difficulties in understanding the meaning of a sentence. It is necessary to differentiate them by their functions.
Prepositions connect phrases to the words they modify. Example: After the presentation the guests will be able to buy some products.
Subordinating conjunctions connect clauses to the words they modify. Examples: After the presentation is over, the guests will be able to buy some products. Once the performance starts, they will not allow entrance.
The adverb, unlike the preposition and conjunction, is a part of the sentence - an adverbial modifier. Example: Once the towns were independent entities.
EXERCISES
Ex. 10. (A, B) Define the function of the words in italics. Translate the sentences into Russian.
1. Before you read his answer, tell me the circumstances occasioning the controversy.
2. The rope will tighten considerably after it has been soaked. 3. Until about 1900 smoking was almost entirely a masculine habit to be indulged in private in special smoking rooms and smoking compartments. 4. Once introduced to Europe, the habit of smoking spread round the world. 5.1 was hoping that once I was in the right area, I would get some fresh images. 6. No matter what they teach you once you believe it's true. 7. If you are wise you will leave before he sees you. 8.1 know what we shall have for dinner, for I have seen the menu. 9.1 haven't seen him since, not once. 10. For several days we didn't hear from them. 11. Don't make any hasty decisions until Fathers comes home. 12. He didn't start to read her letter until late that night when the whole family had settled for the night. 13. She didn't begin to read before she was seven. 14. What do you think was after? 15. Come Tuesday night, but not before.
2.5 AS AND SINCE IN THE CLAUSES OF TIME AND CAUSE (REASON)
As and since may be used to introduce the clauses of time and cause.
As in the clauses of time may be used:
a) to indicate the longer situation, which started before the shorter event, and perhaps went on after it: As (when, while) they were driving along the main road they saw a broken car smashed into a shop window. As he sat thinking about the past events, he began to realize that all his efforts had been in vain.
b) to talk about two developing or changing situations: As the city grew, more and more people of various occupations were attracted to the new capital.
c) to say that two short actions or events both happened at the same time: (Just) as he passed under the window, the lights in the room went off.
Since. A clause introduced by since denotes the starting point of the action (situation) described in the main clause. The verb in the since-clause may be past or present perfect,
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but that in the main clause can only be present perfect: Since you left us, we have been lonely. Nothing like it has been seen since those two went away from the village.