Reducing Adverb Clauses

Reduce the adverb clause if possible.

After the police stopped the fight, they arrested two men and a woman.

• After stopping the fight, they arrested two men and a woman.

• After stopping the fight, they arresting two men and a woman.

• After the police stopped the fight, they were arresting two men and a woman.

• No Correct Answer

Answer explanation

An adverb clause can be changed to an adverb phrases only when the subject of the adverb clause and independent clause are the same. You may need to change the subject pronoun in the independent clause to the specfic pronoun.

Reduce the adverb clause if possible.

(since is being used to indicate reason/cause-effect)

Since Bob opened his new business, he has been working 16 hours a day.

• Since Bob opening his new business, he has been working 16 hours a day.

• Since opening his new business, Bob has been working 16 hours a day.

• Since opening his new business, he has worked 16 hours a day.

• No Correct Answer

  -

  No Change Possible

Answer explanation

When the adverb clause uses since or becase as a SC of reason/cause-effect, you delete the SC and the subject, and change the verb to the (-ing) form.

This does not guarantee that the sentence will still make sense. If the sentence loses its meaning, then the reduction is not possible.

Reduce the adverb clause if possible.

(since is being used to indicate time)

Since Bob opened his new business, he has been working 16 hours a day.

• Since Bob opening his new business, he has been working 16 hours a day.

• Since opening his new business, Bob has been working 16 hours a day.

• Since opening his new business, he has worked 16 hours a day.

• No Correct Answer

  -

  No Change Possible

Answer explanation

When the adverb clause uses since or becase as a SC of reason/cause-effect, you delete the SC and the subject, and change the verb to the (-ing) form.

This does not guarantee that the sentence will still make sense. If the sentence loses its meaning, then the reduction is not possible.

Change the adverb clauses to adverb phrases if possible.

While Sam was driving to work in the rain, his car got a flat tire.

• While driving to work in the rain, Sam's car got a flat tire.

• While driving to work in the rain, his car got a flat tire.

• Sam was driving to work in the rain, getting a flat tire.

• No Correct Answer

  -

  No Change Possible

Answer explanation

When the adverb clause (time) has a be verb, follow the rules for reducing a be verb. Delete the subject and the be verb. You may need to replace the pronoun in the independent clause with the specific noun.

Change the adverb clauses to adverb phrases if possible.

Before Paulo returned to his country, his American friends

gave him a surprise going-away party.

• Before returning to his country, his American friends

  giving him a surprise going-away party.

• Before Paulo returning to his country, his American friends

  gave him a surprise going-away party.

• Before returning to his country, Paulo's American friends

  gave him a surprise going-away party.

• No Change Possible

Answer explanation

When the adverb clause (time) has a verb other than be, delete the subject and change the verb to the -ing form. You may need to replace the pronoun with the specific noun.

Change the adverb clauses to adverb phrases if possible.

(since is being used either as time OR reason)

Since the Irish immigrated to the United States in large numbers in the mid-1800s, Americans have celebrated Halloween and St. Patrick's Day as holidays.

• Since immigrating to the United States in large numbers in the mid-1800s, the Irish have celebrated Halloween and St. Patrick's Day as holidays.

• Since immigrating to the United States in large numbers in the mid-1800s, Americans have celebrated Halloween and St. Patrick's Day as holidays.

• Immigrating to the United States in large numbers in the mid-1800s, the Irish and Americans have celebrated Halloween and St. Patrick's Day as holidays.

• No Change Possible

Answer explanation

An adverb clause can be changed to an adverb phrase only when the subject of the adverb clause and main clause are the same.

Change the adverb clauses to adverb phrases if possible.

Before George took his driving test, the police officer asked him

a few questions about the traffic laws.

• Before taking his driving test, the police officer asked George

  a few questions about the traffic laws.

• Before taking his driving test, the police officer asked him

  a few questions about the traffic laws.

• Before taking driving test, the police officer asked George

  a few questions about the traffic laws.

• No Change Possible

Answer explanation

An adverb clause can be changed to an adverb phrase only when the subject of the adverb clause and independent clause are the same.

Change the adverb clauses to adverb phrases if possible.

Before George took his driving test, he answered

a few questions about the traffic laws.

• Before taking his driving test, George answered

  a few questions about the traffic laws.

• Before taking his driving test, he answered

  a few questions about the traffic laws.

• Before George taking his driving test, he answered

  a few questions about the traffic laws.

• No Change Possible

Answer explanation

When the adverb clause (time) has a verb other than be, delete the subject and change the verb to the -ing form. You may need to replace the pronoun with the specific noun.

Change the adverb clauses to adverb phrases if possible.

You should always read a contract before you sign your name.

• You should be reading a contract before singing your name.

• You should always read a contract before signing your name.

• Always reading a contract before you sign your name.

• No Change Possible

Answer explanation

When the adverb clause has a verb other than be, delete the subject and change the verb to the -ing form. You may need to replace the pronoun with the specific noun.

Change the adverb clauses to adverb phrases if possible.

While I was sitting on the bus, I fell asleep.

• I fell asleep while sitting on the bus.

• While sitting on the bus, I fell asleep.

• While sitting on the bus I fell asleep.

• No Change Possible

Answer explanation

When the adverb clause (time) has a be verb, follow the rules for reducing a be verb. Delete the subject and the be verb. You may need to replace the pronoun in the independent clause with the specific noun.