1. Questions about Adverb
Clauses
Notes from class on
Wednesday, October 16

2. FANBOYS, SUBORDIN
ATORS
LOGICAL
CONNECTORS

3. FANBOYS
are different from
adverbial expressions =
subordinating conjunctions
= subordinators

4. Two different grammatical
categories of words.
They have different
grammar rules and
punctuation.

5. Conjunctions = FANBOYS
1) Combine two complete
sentences
2) Comma before the
conjunction

6. I’ve studied this, but I still
don’t understand it very
well.
BART keeps threatening to
go on strike, but they
haven’t yet.

7. It was noisy outside, so we
closed the door.
Are you going to grade this
draft of our paper, or can we
do another draft?

8. Two sentences combined
with a FANBOYS is a
compound sentence.

9. There are only seven
FANBOYS, but there are
many, many
subordinators =
subordinating conjunctions=
adverbial expressions

10. Here are some examples:
because, even
though, if, since, although, u
nless, whereas, only
if, when …

11. We use a subordinator to
begin an adverb clause.
Some teachers call this a
subordinate clause.

12. Two sentences combined
with a subordinator is called
a complex sentence.

13. Examples:
I studied hard because I wanted to
get an “A.”
You should always go to bed when
you are tired.
I can’t sleep although I am tired.
Notice that there are no commas.

14. BUT you can move the adverb clause:
Because I wanted to get an “A,”
I studied hard.
When you are tired, you should always
go to bed.
Although I am tired, I can’t sleep.
Notice that there are COMMAS when the
adverb clause is first.

15. UNTIL can be a subordinator OR a
preposition:
All the quizzes in Moodle will be open
until we take the the midterm exam.
(subordinator combines two sentences to
make complex sentence.)
All the quizzes in Moodle will be open
until the midterm exam.
(Now, “until” is a preposition followed by
a noun.)

16. SINCE can be a subordinator OR a
preposition:
I have known how to read since
elementary school. (preposition)
I have known how to read since I was
four. (subordinator)

17. Notice that subordinator since has two
different meanings:
I have known how to read since I was
four. (Time beginning in the past and
continuing in the presents)
I stayed up late since I wanted to find out
if BART would be on strike today.
(because)

18. Unless is tricky:
Unless the tickets cost too much, we’ll go
to the game next Saturday.
A sentence with unless can also be said
with if by changing the main clause
affirmative  negative
If the tickets cost too much, we won’t go
to the game next Saturday.

19. Unless is tricky:
Unless I have no money, I will go to
China next year. =
If I have no money, I won’t go to China
next year. =
I have money, I will go to China next
year.

20. More examples with unless:
It is a subordinator that combines two
complete sentences to make a complex
sentence.
I will not pass the quiz unless I study
hard. = Unless I study hard, I won’t pass
the quiz.
I will not miss a class unless I have a
good reason.

21. There is a THIRD category of connecting
words called LOGICAL CONNECTORS
or SENTENCE CONNECTORS.
There are, many, many of them.
Most of them are used more in formal
writing than in conversation.

22. EXAMPLES:
therefore, however, nevertheless, on the
other hand, nonetheless, as a
result, also, in addition, for this reason, in
fact, on the bright side, on the negative
side, meanwhile
THIS HAVE A DIFFERENT
PUNCTUATION RULE:

23. LOGICAL CONNECTORS begin a
sentence, and show a logical connection
with the sentence that came before it.
The BART negotiations are very difficult.
Therefore, they are dragging out for
days.

24. You can replace a period with a semicolon.
The BART negotiations are very difficult;
therefore, they are dragging out for days.

25. BE CAREFUL!
OK
The BART negotiations are very difficult;
therefore, they are dragging out for days.
The BART negotiations are very difficult.
Therefore, they are dragging out for
days.

26. BE CAREFUL!
NOT OK
**The BART negotiations are very
difficult, therefore, they are dragging out
for days.
**The BART negotiations are very
difficult therefore they are dragging out
for days.

27. BE CAREFUL!
Notice that in many cases, you use the
present tense in an adverb clause, even
though you are talking about something
in the future.

28. FOR EXAMPLE:
When I save enough money, I will get a
new car.
I will meet you for coffee after I finish
my homework.
I will wait for the boss until he comes.