Starting a Sentence with a Conjunction

Because they act like adverbs in a sentence, adverb clauses answer the questions where, when, why and how in a sentence. To see how they work, look at the examples below:

· Adverb Clauses of Place:

An adverb of place states where something happens. An adverb of place often starts with a preposition (e. g., in, on, near) or one of the following subordinating conjunctions: anywhere, everywhere, where, or wherever

In a world where there is so much to be done, I felt strongly impressed that there must be something for me to do.

You can drop by for a visit where we're staying for the summer.

· Adverb Clauses of Time:

An adverb of time states when something happens or how often. An adverb of time often starts with one of the following subordinating conjunctions: after, as, as long as, as soon as, before, no sooner than, since, until, when, or while

As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.

After the chores are done, we will eat some ice cream.

· Adverb Clauses of Cause:

An adverb of cause offers a reason for the main idea. An adverb of cause often starts with one of the following subordinating conjunctions: as, because, given, or since

She passed the course because she worked hard.

Since he has long hair, he wears a ponytail.

· Adverb Clauses of Condition:

An adverb of condition states the condition for the main idea to come into effect. It often starts with if or unless

If you save some money, you can buy a new game.

Unless you hurry, you will be late for school.

· Adverb Clauses of Concession:

An adverb of concession offers a statement which contrasts with the main idea. An adverb of concession often starts with one of the following subordinating conjunctions: though, although, even though, while, whereas, or even if

Even though you are 13, you can't go to that movie.

Although you gave it your best effort, you did not win the match.

· AdverbClauses of Manner:

An adverb of manner states how something is done. An adverb of manner often starts with one of the following subordinating conjunctions: as, like, or the way

He acts like it is a joke.

We don't have conversations. You talk at me the way a teacher talks to a naughty student.

Except for an occasional heart attack, I feel as young as I ever did.

· Adverb Clauses of Degree or Comparison

An adverb of degree states to what degree something is done or offers a comparison. An adverb of degree often starts with one of the following subordinating conjunctions: than, as... as, so... as, or the... the

He is as smart as he is tall.

She can read music much more quickly than I can.

4) Attributive Clauses

Attributive clauses serve as an attribute to a noun (pronoun) in the main clause. This noun or pronoun is called the antecedent of the clause:

Holiday resorts which are crowded are not very pleasant.

According to their meaning attributive clausesmay be divided into appositive and relative ones.

1. An appositive clause may be introduced by the conjunctions that, if, whether, as if, etc. and the conjunctive words what, how, etc.

An appositive clause discloses the meaning of a noun (the antecedent) with a general meaning, such as: idea, fact, reason, desire, question, remark, comment, etc.:

The fact that his letter did not require an immediate answer would give me time to consider.

The original question, why he did it at all, has not been answered.

She had a strange sensation as if something had happened.

2. A relative clausemay be introduced by the relative pronouns and adverbs who, whose, whom, what, which, when, where, etc. :

He went to the next house, which stood in a small garden.

The clause is called a relative clause because it “relates” to the noun, in this case, by means of the word which. Relative clauses (like adjectives) describe persons, things and events.

Relative clauses can be defining (limiting/restrictive) and non-defining (descriptive/non-restrictive/commenting).

Defining relative clauses are very closely connected with the antecedent, provide essential information about it and therefore they cannot be removed without destroying the meaning of the sentence. Defining relative clauses are used without commas:

What kind of government would be popular? ― The government which promises to cut taxes.

A library is a place where they keep books.

Non-defining relative clauses contain additional information about the antecedent which can be omitted without serious change in the meaning of the main clause. Non-defining relative clauses are usually used with commas:

The government, which promises to cut taxes, will be popular.

I consulted my father, who promised to help me.

Note: There are only two conjunctions that can introduce non-defining relative clauses. They are who and which.

The following sentences have exactly the same words. The only difference in form between them is that the first sentence has a clause separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. There is, on the other hand, a big difference in meaning:

(A) Children, who are untidy, do not take care of their things.

(B) Children who are untidy do not take care of their things.

Sentence (A) is a statement about all children, and contains two facts: 1) all children are untidy and 2) all children fail to take care of their things. In other words, the clause.., who are untidy, ... is a non-defining clause.

Sentence (B) is a statement about some children, i. e. untidy children, and it states one fact about them: they fail to take care of their things. In other words, the clause... who are untidy... is a defining clause.

5) Nominal Clauses

1. A subject clause may be introduced by the conjunctions that, if, whether, because, either... or, etc. or the conjunctive words who, what, which, where, how, why, wherever, etc. Complex sentences with subject clauses may be of two patterns:

a) When a subject clause precedes the predicate of the main clause:

What was making him sad was the fact that his ladylove wasn’t with him.

Whatever you say is wrong!

b) When a subject clause is in final position, the usual place of the subject being occupied by the formal introductory it:

It is understood that modern science allows such experiments.

It was lucky that she agreed to undertake the job.

2. A predicative clause may be introduced by the conjunctions that, whether, as, as if, as though, because, lest, etc. or the conjunctive words who, whoever, which, where, when, how, why, etc. :

The question is whether he has signed the contract.

It was as though our last meeting was forgotten.

A predicative clause has a fixed position in the sentence ― it always follows a link verb: to be, to seem, to appear, to feel, to look, to sound, etc. , with which it forms a compound nominal predicate:

It appears he hasn’t been there.

Note: If both the subject and the predicative are expressed by clauses the principal clause consists only of a link verb:

What he says is that he goes away.

3. An object clause may be introduced by the conjunctions that, if, whether, lest, etc. or the conjunctive words who, whoever, what, where, when, why, how, etc.

Everybody knows (that) money doesn’t grow on trees.

He asked me if I wanted to stay.

An object clause may either follow or precede the main clause:

What she thinks it would be impossible to say.

Tom said he would go back to lunch at Timothy’s.

Object clauses may be used after adjectives expressing feeling, perception, desire, assurance: afraid, glad, happy, certain, sure, sorry, pleased, desirous, anxious, aware, etc. :

I’m very sorry I disturbed you.

He was glad that no one was at home.

Note: Like subject clauses, object clauses may be preceded by the formal it:

You must see to it that there should be no quarrel.

An object clause may be joined to the main clause by the prepositions after, about, before, for, of, beyond, etc.:

I want to be paid for what I do.