Reduced Adverb Clauses

When the subjects in the adverb clause and the main clause are the same, the adverb clause can be reduced by:

Clauses telling time:

 

1. Omit the subject in the adverb clause
2. Keep or omit the connector
3. Change the form of the verb according to the following:
1. Were+Ving -> Ving
(Connector)+Ving , S+V.

1.a While we are hiking/were hiking/hiked, we admire/admired the scenery around us.
1.b (While) hiking, we admire/admired the scenery around us.

2. Has/Had been Ving -> Ving
(Connector)+Ving , S+V.
2.a. Since he has/had been living in Paris, he has/had learned to speak French quite well.
2.b. (Since) livingin Paris, he has/had learned to speak French quite well.
3. Have/Had V3 -> Having V3
(Connector) Having V3, S+V.
3.a. After we have/had hiked around the canyon, we are/were exhausted.
3.b. (After) having hiked around the canyon, we are/were exhausted.
4. Are/Were being + V3 -> Being V3
(Connector) Being V3, S+V
4.a. When they are/were searched, they felt nervous.
4.b. When being searched, they feel/felt nervous.
Clause telling reason The connector is always omitted when the adverb clause is to be reduced.

Either Form 1, 2, 3 or 4 can be used depending on the tense of the verb in the original sentence.

Not or never can begin the reduced adverb clause.

5.a.Because we take/took/are taking/were taking the bus, we save/saved a lot of money.
5.b. Taking the bus, we save/saved a lot of money.

6.a. As I have/had never gone skiing, I want/wated to take lessons.
6.b. Never having gone skiing, I want/wanted to take lessons.

Clauses telling contrast:
Despite, in spite of
7.a. Many of my students are hardworking and honest kids although the media gives bad reports.
7.b. Many of my students are hardworking and honest kids despite the bad reports by the media.
Clauses telling condition:
If/Unless+Verbs in form 1, 2, 3, or 4
8.a. If they are carefully planned, things should run smoothly.
8.b. If carefully planned, things should run smoothly.
Clauses telling purpose: To infinitive 9.a. Sarah worked extra jobs in order that she could fly to Canada.
9.b. To be able to fly to Canada, Sarah worked extra jobs.

Eyring, Janet & Frodesen, Jan. (2000). Grammar Dimension 4. Boston: Heinle & Heinle Publishers.
Celce-Murcia, Marianne & Larsen-Freeman, Diane. (1999) The Grammar Book. Boston: Heinle & Heinle Publishers.
Ploeger, Katherine. (2001) Simplified Essay Skills. Chicago: National Textbook Company.

Exercise: Reduced Adv Cls Exercise: IETLS Writing
IELTS Page

 

 

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