REDUCED ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
We can replace a full adverbial clause with a present or perfect participle. These kinds of participle phrases are relatively formal and most often used in written texts rather than spoken English,
Reducing Adverb Clauses of Time
Adverb clauses of time are reduced in different ways depending on the time expression used. Here are the most common.
Before / After / Since
1. Keep the time word 2. Remove the subject
3. Change the verb to the gerund form OR use a noun
Examples,
1. After he took the lest, he slept for a long time.
After taking the test, he slept for a long time OR
After the test, he slept for a long time.
2. Since I moved to Aqaba, I have gone to the aquarium museum numerous times.
Since moving lo Agaba, I have gone to the aquarium museum numerous times.
3. Before he bought the house, he did a lol of research.
Before buying the house, he did a lot of research.
4. After she had lunch, she went back to work.
After having lunch, she went back to work.
Having had lunch, she went back to work.
5. Before I leave my house, I turn off all the lights.
Before leaving my house, I turn off all the lights.
6. After I had finished my work, I went back home.
After having finished my work, I went back home.
Having finished my work, I went back home.
As / When/ While
1. Delete "as", "when" 2. Remove the subject
3. Change the verb to the gerund form
1. As I was falling asleep, I thought about my friends in Italy.
Falling asleep, I thought about my friends in Italy.
2. When he (Hassan] was walking down the street, he ran into an old friendز
Walking down the street, Hasan ran into an old friend.
3. As she was driving to work, she saw a deer in the road.
Driving to work, she saw a deer in the road
4. As she walked into the press conference for her film, she was addressed by a journalist.
Walking into the press conference for her film, she was addressed by a journalist.
As soon as
1. Delete as soon as and replace with "upon" or "on"
3. Change the verb to the gerund form.
2. Remove the subject
1. As soon as she finished the report, she gave it to the boss.
Upon finishing the report, she gave it to the boss.
2. As soon as we woke up, we got our fishing poles and went to the lake.
On waking up, we got our fishing poles and went to the lake.
Reducing Adverb Clauses of Causality
Adverb clauses of causality (providing the reason for something) are introduced by the subordinating conjunctions "because," "since" and "as." Each of these reduce in the same manner.
1. Remove the subordinating conjunction 2. Remove the subject
3. Change the verb to the gerund form
1. Because he was late, he drove lo work.
Being late, he drove to work.
2. Since she was tired, she slept in late.
Being tired, she slept in late.
3. Because she had worked in comedy successfully for over 20 years, she didn't actually feel that way
Having worked in comedy successfully for over 20 years, she didn't actually feel that way.
4. As Al Omari had extra work to do, he stayed late al work.
Having extra work to do, Al Omari stayed late at work.
NOTE. When using the negative form of the verb, place "not" before the gerund when reducing.
Examples,
1. As he didn't want to disturb her, he left the room quickly.
Not wanting to disturb her, he left the room quickly
2. Because she didn't understand the question, she asked the teacher for some help.
Not understanding the question, she asked the teacher for some help.
Reducing Adverb Clauses of Opposition
Adverb clauses of opposition beginning with "though," "although," or "while" can be reduced in the following manner:
1. Keep the subordinating conjunction
2. Remove the subject and the verb "be"
3. Keep the noun or adjective OR change the verb to the gerund form
Examples:
1. While he was a happy man, he had many serious problems. (adjective)
While happy, he had many serious problems.
2. Although she was beautiful, she still felt shy.
Although beautiful, she still felt shy. (adjective)
3. Though she was an excellent student, she failed to pass the test. (noun)
Through an excellent student, she failed lo pass the test.
4. Although he had a car, he decided to walk. (gerund)
Although having a car, he decided to walk.
5. Though he had a lot of money, he didn't have many friends.
Though having a lot of money, he didn't have many friends. (gerund)
We can use a perfect participle when we want to emphasise that one action happened before the other one,
1. After I had finished my work, I decided to have a bath.
Having finished my work, 1 decided to have a bath.
The subject of both clauses usually needs to be the same, (Disparate subjects)
Walking to her car, Amal smiled at the photographer. (The subject of both clauses is the same) NOT
Walking to her car, the photographer snapped Amal's photo. (The sun not the same)
(this sounds like the photographer, rather than Amal, was going to her car)
In this unreduced sentence, the subjects of the time clause and the main clause do not refer to the same entity. (Consequently, you cannot reduce the time clause.)
When the teacher entered the room, the students fell silent.
Entering the room, the students fell silent.
Correct Reduced Adverb Clause to Adverbial Phrase (The subject of both clauses is the same)
Because she has a test next week, she is studying very hard.
Having a test next week, she is studying very hard.
Incorrect Reduced Adverb Clause to Adverbial Phrase (The subject of both clauses is not the same)
Because she has a test next week, her mother is reviewing vocabulary with her.
Having a test next week, her mother is reviewing vocabulary with her.
