“Reduction of Adverb Clauses” to Modifying Adverbial Phrases
[a] ADVERB CLAUSE: While I was walking to class, I ran
into an old friend.
[b] MODIFYING PHRASE: While walking to class, I ran into
an old friend.
[c] ADVERB CLAUSE: Before I left work,I ate breakfast.
[d] MODIFYING PHRASE: Before leaving for work, I ate
breakfast.
[e] CHANGE POSSIBLE: While I was sitting in class, I fell
asleep.
While sitting in class, I fell asleep.
[f] CHANGE POSSIBLE: While Ann was sitting in class,
she fell asleep.(clause)
While sitting in class, Ann fell asleep.
[g] NO CHANGE POSSIBLE: While the teacher was lecturing to the
class, I fell asleep.*
[h] NO CHANGE POSSIBLE: While we were walking home, a frog
hopped across the road in front of us.
[i] INCORRECT: While walking home, a frog hopped across
the road in front of us.
[j] INCORRECT: While watching TV last night,
the phone rang.
[Chart 1]
Some adverb clauses may also be changed to
modifying in which the changes are made are the
same:
[1] Omit the subject of the dependent clause and
the form of “be” as in [b], OR
[2] If there is NO “be” form of a verb,
omit the subject and change the verb to “-ing”
as in [d].
An adverb clause can be changed to a modifying
phrase only when the subject of the adverb clause
and subject of the main clause are the same.
A modifying adverbial phrase that is reduction of
an adverb clause modifies the subject, of the main
clause.
No reduction (i.e., change) is possible if the
subjects of the adverb clause and the main clause
are different, as in [g] and [h].
In [i]: While walking home is called a
“dangling modifier” or a “dangling participle,”
i.e., a modifier that is incorrectly
“hanging alone” without an appropriate noun or
pronoun to modify.
 “Changing Time Clauses” To Modifying Adverbial Phrases [Chart 2]

[a] CLAUSE: Since Maria came to this country, she has made many Adverbs clauses beginning with after, before,
friends. while, and since can be changed to modifying
[b] PHRASE: Since coming to this country, Maria has made many friends. adverbial phrases.

[c] CLAUSE: After he (had) finished his homework, Peter went to bed.
[d] PHRASE: After finishing his homework, Peter went to bed.
[e] PHRASE: After having finished his homework, Peter went to bed.
In [c]: There is no difference in meaning
between “After he finished” and “After he had
finished.”
In [d] and [e]: There is no difference in
meaning “After finishing” and After having
finished.”

[f] PHRASE: Peter went to bed after finishing his homework. A modifying adverbial phrase may follow the
main clause, as in [f].

Exercise 1. Changing Time Clauses to Modifying Adverbial Phrases. [Chart 1 and Chart 2]

Instructions: Underline the subject of the adverb clause and the subject of the main clause.
Change the “adverb clause” to “modifying adverbial phrases” if possible.

[1] While Joe was driving to school yesterday, he had an accident.

-- While driving to school yesterday, Joe had an accident.

[2] While Joe was watching TV last night, the telephone rang. (no change)

[3] Before I came to class, I had a cup of coffee.

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[4] Before the student came to class, the teacher had already given a quiz.
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[5] Since I came here, I have learned a lot of English.
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[6] Since Bob opened his new business, he has been working 16 hours a day.
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[7] After Omar (had) finished breakfast, he left the house and went to his office.
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[8] Alex hurt his back while he was chopping wood.
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[9] You should always read a contract before you sign your name.
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[10] Before the waiter came to our table, I had already made up my mind to order shrimp.
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Exercise 1. "Changing Time Clauses” to Modifying Adverbial Phrases. [see Chart 1 and Chart 2]

[11] While Jack was trying to sleep last night, a mosquito kept buzzing in his ear.
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[12] While Susan was climbing the mountain, she lost her footing and fell onto a ledge several feet below.
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[13] The Wilsons have experienced many changes in their lifestyle since they adopted twins.
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[14] After I heard Mary describe how cold it gets in Minnesota in the winter, I decided not to go there for
my vacation in January.
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Expressing the Idea of “During The Same Time” in Modifying Adverbial Phrases [Chart 3]

[a] While I was walkng down the street, I ran into an old friend.
[b] While waaking down the street, I ran into an old friend.
[c] Walking down the street, I ran into an old friend.
[d] Hiking through the woods yesterday, we saw a bear.
[e] Pointing to the sentence on the board, the teacher explained
the meaning of the modifying sentences.
Sometimes while is omitted but the -ing
phrase at the beginning of the sentence
gives the same meaning (i.e., “during the
same time”). [a], [b], and [c] have the same
meaning.

Expressing “Cause and Effect” in Modifying Adverbial Phrases [Chart 4]

[f] Beacause she needed some money to buy a book,
Sue cashed a check.
[g] Needing some money to buy a book, Sue cashed a check.
[h] Because he lacked the necessary qualifications,
he was not considered for the job.
[i] Lacking the necessary qualifications, he was not
considered for the job.
Often and -ing phrase at the beginning of a
sentence gives the meaning of “because.” [f] and
[g] have the same meaning.
Because is not included in a modifying phrase. It
is omitted , but the resulting phrase expresses a
“cause and effect relationship,” as in [g] and [h].

[j] Having seen that movie before, I don’t want to go again. “Having + past participle” gives the meaning not
only of “because” but also of “before.”
[k] Having seen that movie before, I didn’t want to go again.

[l] Because she was unable to afford a car, she bought a bicycle. A form of “be” in the adverb clause may be changed
[m] Being unable to afford a car, she bought a bicycle. to “being.” The use of “being” makes the cause and
[n] Unable to afford a car, she bought a bicycle. effect relationship clear. [l], [m], and [n] have
the same meaning.
Exercise 2 - Modifying Adverbial Phrases [See Chart 4]
Change the “Adverb Clauses” to “Modifying Adverbial Phrases.”

[1] Because Sam didn’t want to hurt her feelings, he didn’t tell her the bad news.
-- Not wanting to hurt feelings, Sam didn’t tell her the bad news.

[2] Because the little boy believed that no one loved him, he ran away from home.
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[3] Because she was not paying attention to where she was going, Rosa stepped into a hole and sprained her ankle.
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[4] Because I had forgotten to bring a pencil to the examination, I had to borrow one.
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[5] Because Chelsea is a vegetarian, she does not eat meat.
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[6] Because he has already flunked out of school once, Mike is determined to succeed this time.
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Exercise 3 - Modifying Adverbial Phrases [See Chart 2, Chart 3, and Chart 4]

Change the “Adverb Clauses” to Modifying Adverbial Phrases.”

[1] Before I talked to you, I had never understood that formula.

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[2] Because he did not want to spend any more money this month, Larry decided against going to a restaurant for
dinner. He made himself a sandwich instead.
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[3] After I read the chapter four times, I finally understood the author’s theory.
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[4] Because I remembered that everyone makes mistakes, I softened my view of his seemingly inexcusable error.
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[5] Since he completed his Bachelor’s degree, he has had three jobs, each one better than the last.
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[6] While I was travelling across the United States, I could not help being impressed by the great differences in
terrain.
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[7] Before he gained national fame, the union leader had been an electrician in a small town.
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[8] Because we were enjoying the cool evening breeze and listening to the sounds of nature, we lost track of time.
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