Reducing Adverbial Clauses
Same time
Time clauses with "while" and "when" can be reduced by deleting the subject and "be" verb.
- While I was eating dinner, I watched television.
- While eating dinner, I watched television.
- When you are in Rome, (you) do as the Romans do.
- When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
If there is no "
be" verb, change the verb in the subordinating clause to its -ing form. Sometimes the subordinator (
when or
while) can be deleted as well.
- When I opened the door, I saw a strange sight.
- When opening the door, I saw a strange sight.
- Opening the door, I saw a strange sight.
Note: If the subjects are different, you may not reduce the adverbial clause.
- While I was taking a shower, my sister called from California.
- (NOT) While taking a shower, my sister called from California.
Be careful when reducing time clauses that come at the end of sentences.
- We saw many beautiful birds while we were fishing in the lake.
- We saw many beautiful birds while fishing in the lake.
- (NOT) We saw many beautiful birds fishing in the lake.
In the last sentence, the meaning is ambiguous: Are
we fishing or are the
birds fishing?
Different times
- After I finished my homework, I went to bed.
- After finishing my homework, I went to bed.
- After I had finished my homework, I went to bed.
- After having finished my homework, I went to bed.
- Having finished my homework, I went to bed.
- Before he left the dance, Jerry said good-bye to his girlfriend.
- Before leaving the dance, Jerry said good-bye to his girlfriend.
Other clauses
Sometimes clauses with because can be reduced.
- Because he was a doctor, George knew how to handle the situation.
- Being a doctor, George knew how to handle the situation.
- As a doctor, George knew how to handle the situation.
