Section A
We can sometimes shorten an adverb clause of time or
contrast when the subject of the adverb clause and the
subject of the main clause are the same. We call this a
reduced adverb clause.
Although the house is small, it has lots of closets.
Although small, the house has lots of closets.
same subjects
⬐ ⬎
When the subjects are different, the adverb clause
cannot be reduced.
Although the house is small, I still like it.
different subjects
(NOT: Although small, I still like it.)
⬐ ⬎
Section B
The way we reduce an adverb clause depends on
the verb in the clause.
While I was in school, I played a lot
of football.
While in school, I played a lot of
football.
When the adverb clause has a form of the verb be
(as a helping verb or a main verb), we drop the
subject and the form of the verb be.
Although my father was bothered by the news,
he did his best to ignore it.
Although bothered by the news, my father did
his best to ignore it.
When you’re looking for a job,
you should be sure to keep your
resume up to date.
When looking for a job, you
should be sure to keep your
resume up to date.
When the adverb clause has a verb other than be, we
drop the subject and any helping verb, and we use the
-ing form of the main verb.
The train stopped several times before it finally arrived.
The train stopped several times before finally arriving.
Since David graduated from college, he’s
worked in three different banks.
Since graduating from college, David has worked
in three different banks.
Be careful! When you use a reduced adverb clause,
make sure the subject in the main clause is clear.
We use these subordinators in reduced
adverb clauses:
after
before
when
while
since
though
although

6.6 Reduced Adjective Clauses

  • 1.
  • 2.
    We can sometimesshorten an adverb clause of time or contrast when the subject of the adverb clause and the subject of the main clause are the same. We call this a reduced adverb clause. Although the house is small, it has lots of closets. Although small, the house has lots of closets. same subjects ⬐ ⬎
  • 3.
    When the subjectsare different, the adverb clause cannot be reduced. Although the house is small, I still like it. different subjects (NOT: Although small, I still like it.) ⬐ ⬎
  • 4.
  • 5.
    The way wereduce an adverb clause depends on the verb in the clause. While I was in school, I played a lot of football. While in school, I played a lot of football. When the adverb clause has a form of the verb be (as a helping verb or a main verb), we drop the subject and the form of the verb be.
  • 6.
    Although my fatherwas bothered by the news, he did his best to ignore it. Although bothered by the news, my father did his best to ignore it. When you’re looking for a job, you should be sure to keep your resume up to date. When looking for a job, you should be sure to keep your resume up to date.
  • 7.
    When the adverbclause has a verb other than be, we drop the subject and any helping verb, and we use the -ing form of the main verb. The train stopped several times before it finally arrived. The train stopped several times before finally arriving.
  • 8.
    Since David graduatedfrom college, he’s worked in three different banks. Since graduating from college, David has worked in three different banks. Be careful! When you use a reduced adverb clause, make sure the subject in the main clause is clear.
  • 9.
    We use thesesubordinators in reduced adverb clauses: after before when while since though although