An adverb clause of reason explains why something happens or is done. It answers the question “Why?” and typically follows the main clause. These clauses are introduced by subordinating conjunctions such as because, since, or as. Let’s explore the core characteristics of these clauses, along with examples, to ensure a clear understanding.
Definition of Adverb Clauses of Reason
An adverbial clause of reason is a dependent clause that provides the cause, justification, or reason for the action stated in the independent (main) clause. The adverbial clause can be placed at the beginning or end of the sentence, depending on the emphasis and style. These clauses typically describe cause-effect relationships between the main action and the reason for it.
For example:
“I couldn’t attend the meeting because I was sick.”
“We canceled the picnic since it was raining.”
In each example, the subordinate clause explains why the action in the main clause occurred.
Key Subordinating Conjunctions
Adverb clauses of reason commonly begin with one of the following conjunctions:
Because
Since
As
Let’s take a look at each of these conjunctions in more detail.
Because
“Because” is one of the most commonly used subordinating conjunctions that introduces a reason. It can be used in both formal and informal settings.
Example sentences:
“He left early because he had an appointment.”
“She didn’t eat lunch because she wasn’t hungry.”
Since
“Since” can also be used to introduce a reason. In this case, it can indicate a time relationship, but in the context of adverb clauses of reason, it focuses on the cause.
Example sentences:
“We decided to stay indoors since it was raining.”
“I didn’t call you since I thought you were busy.”
As
“As” is another subordinating conjunction that can introduce a reason. It is more formal than “because” and can sometimes sound more literary or sophisticated.
Example sentences:
“He arrived late as the train was delayed.”
“She passed the test as she had studied hard.”
Identifying Adverb Clauses of Reason
To better identify an adverbial clause of reason in a sentence, here are a few tips:
The clause explains why something happens – The reason or justification is always presented.
The clause is dependent – It cannot stand alone and relies on the main clause for its full meaning.
It often begins with a subordinating conjunction – “Because,” “since,” or “as” are the most common conjunctions, but others like “for” may be used.
For example, in the sentence “She stayed home because she was feeling sick,” the reason “because she was feeling sick” explains why she stayed home. This makes it an adverb clause of reason.
Additional Examples of Adverb Clauses of Reason
To further solidify your understanding, let’s explore more examples with varying structures and contexts. These examples will demonstrate how adverbial clauses of reason work in different sentence types.
Simple Sentences
In simple sentences, the adverbial clause of reason is usually added at the end or beginning of the sentence.
Because I was late, I missed the train.
We couldn’t play outside because it was too cold.
Since the weather is nice, we’ll go for a walk.
In each of these examples, the adverbial clause of reason answers the question “Why?” about the action in the main clause.
Complex Sentences
Adverbial clauses of reason often appear in complex sentences, where one clause (the dependent clause) provides context for the main clause (independent clause).
I took an umbrella because the forecast said it would rain.
They decided to delay the meeting since the manager wasn’t available.
As she had no money, she couldn’t buy the dress.
In complex sentences, the main clause stands on its own, but the adverbial clause gives additional explanation or reason for the action.
Questions with Adverb Clauses of Reason
Even in questions, adverb clauses of reason can be effectively used to explain the cause of the action.
Why did you leave early? Because I wasn’t feeling well.
What made you cry? Since I lost my job, I’ve been feeling down.
As you didn’t answer the door, we thought you weren’t home.
Negative Sentences with Adverb Clauses of Reason
Negative sentences are also commonly structured with adverbial clauses of reason, often highlighting the absence of an event or the negative impact of a situation.
I didn’t finish the report because I ran out of time.
He didn’t go to the concert since he wasn’t feeling well.
She couldn’t come to the meeting as her flight was delayed.
In negative sentences, the adverbial clause helps explain the reason for the negation or lack of action.
Difference Between Adverbial Clauses of Reason and Adverbial Clauses of Purpose
While both adverbial clauses of reason and purpose explain why something happens, their focus differs. An adverbial clause of reason explains the cause behind the main action, while a clause of purpose explains the goal or intention behind it.
Here’s a simple comparison to clarify:
| Adverbial Clause of Reason | Adverbial Clause of Purpose |
|---|---|
| Focuses on why something happens | Focuses on the intention or goal of an action |
| Introduced by conjunctions like “because,” “since,” or “as” | Introduced by conjunctions like “so that,” “in order that,” or “for” |
| Examples: “She stayed home because she was sick.” “I went to bed early because I was tired.” | Examples: “She stayed home so that she could rest.” “I studied hard so that I would pass the exam.” |
The key difference lies in the reason (cause) versus the intention (goal). Adverbial clauses of reason deal with the “why” of an event or action, while adverbial clauses of purpose deal with the “why” in terms of what the speaker is trying to achieve.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with Adverb Clauses of Reason
Understanding adverb clauses of reason is essential for mastering sentence structure, but learners often make a few common mistakes. Let’s address these errors to ensure that you can avoid them and use adverbial clauses more effectively.
1. Confusing Adverb Clauses of Reason with Adverbial Phrases
One of the most common mistakes is mixing up adverbial clauses with adverbial phrases. While both serve a similar function, they are different in structure. An adverbial clause of reason contains both a subject and a verb, whereas an adverbial phrase of reason is made up of only a preposition and a noun phrase, lacking a subject and verb.
For example:
Adverbial clause: “He left early because he was tired.”
Adverbial phrase: “He left early due to tiredness.”
Notice how the clause has both a subject (“he”) and a verb (“was”), while the phrase lacks both.
2. Overuse of “Because”
Many learners tend to overuse “because” when writing adverbial clauses of reason, which can make sentences sound repetitive. While “because” is perfectly fine, it’s important to vary the conjunctions you use to avoid monotony.
Overused: “She didn’t come to work because she was sick.”
Improved: “She didn’t come to work since she was sick.”
Here, substituting “because” with “since” helps add variety and maintains sentence fluency.
3. Incorrect Word Order
In certain sentences, especially complex sentences, learners often struggle with the placement of the adverbial clause. While adverbial clauses of reason can come at the beginning or end of a sentence, the word order needs to remain correct.
Incorrect: “Because I was tired, I went to bed early.”
Correct: “I went to bed early because I was tired.”
When the adverbial clause comes at the beginning, remember to use a comma after the clause to separate it from the main clause.
4. Forgetting the Subject-Verb Agreement
In adverbial clauses, the subject and verb must agree. Learners often overlook this, especially when the adverbial clause is at the beginning of the sentence. Ensure that the verb matches the subject in number and tense.
Incorrect: “Since he were tired, he went to bed early.”
Correct: “Since he was tired, he went to bed early.”
The subject “he” needs to match with the verb “was,” not “were.”
5. Using “Because of” Incorrectly
While “because of” is often used to express a reason, it’s important to remember that it is followed by a noun phrase, not a clause. This can sometimes confuse learners who want to use it in place of a full clause.
Incorrect: “He didn’t go to the park because of he was tired.”
Correct: “He didn’t go to the park because he was tired.”
To clarify, “because” introduces a full clause (subject + verb), whereas “because of” introduces only a noun phrase (no subject or verb).
How to Correctly Use Adverb Clauses of Reason
To effectively use adverb clauses of reason, follow these steps:
Identify the action – Determine the main action in the sentence.
Ask “Why?” – Figure out the reason behind the action.
Choose an appropriate conjunction – Decide whether to use “because,” “since,” or “as” to introduce the reason.
Place the clause correctly – Ensure that the adverbial clause is placed at the beginning or end of the sentence, keeping word order intact.
Ensure subject-verb agreement – Check that the verb agrees with the subject in the adverbial clause.
By following these steps, you can avoid mistakes and use adverbial clauses of reason with clarity and precision.
Advanced Tips for Mastering Adverb Clauses of Reason
While understanding the basics of adverb clauses of reason is crucial, mastering their use in more complex and nuanced sentence structures can elevate your writing skills. Let’s delve into some advanced tips and tricks to ensure your use of these clauses is precise and effective.
1. Varying the Position of the Adverbial Clause
In English, adverb clauses of reason are quite flexible in terms of where they are placed in a sentence. You can experiment with different positions to achieve varying emphases. Typically, the clause is placed at the beginning or end of the sentence, but depending on the message you want to convey, the positioning can affect the tone or rhythm.
At the beginning: Starting with the adverbial clause draws attention to the reason first.
Example: “Since it was raining, we decided to stay inside.”
At the end: Placing the clause at the end creates a more natural flow and focuses on the main action.
Example: “We decided to stay inside since it was raining.”
2. Using Adverb Clauses of Reason in Complex Sentences with Multiple Clauses
Once you are comfortable with simple adverb clauses of reason, you can combine them with other types of clauses, like adverb clauses of contrast or purpose. This allows you to create more sophisticated sentence structures.
For example:
“We decided to cancel the picnic because it was raining, although we were really looking forward to it.”
“He didn’t come to the meeting since he had a prior engagement, but he sent his assistant instead.”
By combining clauses, you create more complex thoughts, linking reasons, contrasts, and additional actions in one sentence.
3. Substituting with Synonyms and Rephrasing
While because, since, and as are the primary conjunctions used to introduce adverbial clauses of reason, using synonyms or rephrasing the clause can add variety to your writing. This keeps your language fresh and engaging, especially in longer pieces of writing.
For example:
“Since it was late, I decided to go home.”
Can be rephrased as: “Due to the late hour, I decided to go home.”
“She didn’t answer the phone because she was busy.”
Can be rephrased as: “She didn’t answer the phone due to being busy.”
This approach not only enhances your sentence variety but also aids in avoiding repetition of the same conjunctions.
4. Combining Adverbial Clauses with Conditional Sentences
In certain cases, you might want to combine adverb clauses of reason with conditional clauses to express cause-and-effect relationships in a more complex manner. Conditional sentences often deal with hypothetical situations or consequences, which can work seamlessly with adverbial clauses of reason.
For example:
“If you don’t hurry, you will miss the train, because the last one departs at 6 PM.”
“She might have passed the exam, if she had studied harder, because the test was challenging.”
5. Using Emphasis with Adverb Clauses of Reason
Sometimes, you may want to emphasize the reason for an action, especially in persuasive or argumentative writing. One way to do this is by starting the sentence with an adverbial clause of reason, drawing attention to the cause before presenting the effect. This can help to set a strong foundation for your argument.
Example:
“Because he failed to complete his project on time, he was disqualified from the competition.”
“Since the deadline is approaching, we need to act quickly.”
Final Thoughts on Using Adverb Clauses of Reason
Mastering adverb clauses of reason is an essential part of becoming a skilled writer and communicator. These clauses help clarify the relationship between the cause and the effect, allowing you to present your ideas more clearly and logically. By following the tips above and avoiding common mistakes, you can enhance your ability to create well-structured, effective sentences.
Recap of Key Points:
Adverb clauses of reason answer the question “Why?”
They are typically introduced by “because,” “since,” or “as.”
They can appear at the beginning or end of a sentence.
It’s important to maintain proper word order and subject-verb agreement.
Avoid overusing “because” and experiment with synonyms and alternative structures.
By keeping these elements in mind, you can confidently use adverb clauses of reason in your writing to express clear and compelling cause-effect relationships.
Practical Exercises for Mastering Adverb Clauses of Reason
Now that you have learned the theory behind adverb clauses of reason, it’s time to put that knowledge into practice. These exercises will help you refine your understanding and improve your sentence-building skills.
Exercise 1: Identifying Adverb Clauses of Reason
Read the following sentences and identify the adverb clause of reason. Underline the adverbial clause in each sentence.
He didn’t attend the meeting because he was out of town.
We decided to cancel the picnic since the weather forecast predicted rain.
As I was feeling tired, I went to bed early.
She went home early because she wasn’t feeling well.
Since you didn’t respond, I assumed you weren’t interested.
Exercise 2: Rewrite the Sentences with a Different Conjunction
Rewrite the following sentences, replacing the conjunction “because” with either “since” or “as.”
I couldn’t attend the event because I had a prior engagement.
They postponed the meeting because the manager was unavailable.
He didn’t attend the concert because it was too expensive.
She left the party early because she wasn’t feeling well.
Exercise 3: Create Your Own Sentences
Now that you’re familiar with the structure and rules of adverb clauses of reason, try creating your own sentences. For each sentence, provide the cause (why something happened) and the effect (what happened).
Example: “He didn’t finish the project because he ran out of time.”
Cause: Ran out of time
Effect: Didn’t finish the project
Now, create three sentences of your own, using adverb clauses of reason.
Exercise 4: Combine Sentences Using Adverb Clauses of Reason
Combine the following pairs of sentences into one sentence using an adverb clause of reason.
She studied hard. She wanted to pass the exam.
We arrived early. We wanted to get good seats.
He left the party early. He was feeling sick.
Exercise 5: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct conjunction (“because,” “since,” or “as”).
I couldn’t go to the movies _____ I had too much homework.
She missed the flight _____ she arrived late at the airport.
_____ he forgot his keys, he had to go back home.
We had to postpone the event _____ of the stormy weather.
These exercises will allow you to practice identifying, creating, and refining adverb clauses of reason in various contexts. The more you practice, the more naturally you’ll be able to use these clauses in your writing.
Conclusion
Adverb clauses of reason are vital components of English sentence structure. They help to establish clear cause-effect relationships and enhance the clarity and depth of your communication. By understanding the key concepts, practicing regularly, and avoiding common mistakes, you can use these clauses with ease and confidence.
To master adverb clauses of reason:
Understand their purpose: to explain why something happens.
Use the correct conjunctions (“because,” “since,” “as”).
Pay attention to sentence structure and word order.
Vary your sentence construction to avoid repetition and enhance readability.
The more you incorporate adverbial clauses of reason into your writing, the better you’ll be at conveying your ideas logically and effectively.