Adverb clauses bring variety of information to sentences – time, place, manner, condition, concession, purpose, and more. Information on contingency, provided by adverb clause of contingency, is the topic of this post.
Learn more: This post covers just one adverb clause. Learn other types of adverb clause.
What is adverb clause of contingency?
Adverb clauses of contingency express recurrent contingency. In other words, the clause expresses a recurring event whose occurrence might lead to occurrence of event mentioned in the matrix clause. (Matrix clause is what’s left after removing subordinate clause. In the sentence Where the road splits, take the left path, for example, take the left path is matrix clause.)
Subordinating conjunctions that introduce adverb clauses of time (when, whenever, once), place (where, wherever), and condition (if) are often used to introduce adverb clauses of contingency. (Understand the difference between when and whenever and where and wherever.) Examples:
Note: When(ever) means, you can use either When or Whenever. Same with where(ver)
When(ever) the alarm goes off, evacuate the building immediately.
[The adverb clause expresses recurring event of alarm going off, which leads to evacuation of the building.]
When(ever) he travels for work, he brings back souvenirs for his family.
Where(ver) the river bends, the current is stronger.
Where(ver) the road splits, take the left path.
[Not an adverb clause of contingency. Unless these are instructions in a video game or a treasure hunt, you won’t take a left turn at every split in the road. In other words, it can’t be a recurring event – and hence an adverb clause of contingency – in the real world.]
Once the project is approved, we can begin the implementation phase.
[Not an adverb clause of contingency. The event seems to be one-time.]
Once she finishes her exam, she likes to celebrate. [The event is recurrent.]
If you need assistance, please contact our support team. [Whenever you need assistance…]
Of the above subordinating conjunctions, when, where, and if can be focused by focusing adverbs such as even, just, right, only, exactly, precisely, simply, specifically, and strictly. Examples:
Precisely when the alarm goes off, evacuate the building immediately.
Only when he travels for work, he brings back souvenirs for his family.
Just where the river bends, the current is stronger.
Mixed signals: The clause may convey multiple meanings simultaneously
As was mentioned earlier, adverb clauses of contingency are introduced by subordinating conjunctions that introduce adverb clauses of time, place, and condition. Not surprisingly, adverb clauses of contingency convey one of these three meanings and its own meaning of contingency, simultaneously. Let’s take few of earlier examples:
When(ever) the alarm goes off, evacuate the building immediately. [The adverb clause conveys meaning of time and contingency at the same time.]
Where(ver) the river bends, the current is stronger. [The adverb clause conveys meaning of place and contingency at the same time]
If you need assistance, please contact our support team. [The adverb clause conveys meaning of condition and contingency at the same time]
Adverb clauses introduced by the…the often convey meaning of proportion and meaning of contingency. Example:
The less you worry, the happier you’ll be. [Proportion meaning: Your happiness grows in inverse proportion to your worry. Contingency meaning: When you worry less, you’ll be happier.]
The clause can be non-finite or verbless as well
We typically associate adverb clauses with what we’ve seen so far, the ones with subject and finite verb. (Grammatically speaking, these are finite adverb clauses.) But adverb clauses can be non-finite or even verbless.
(Finite vs. non-finite vs. verbless clause: If you don’t know what finite, non-finite, and verbless clauses are, here is a simplified difference between the three. A finite clause contains a finite verb. It’s another term for noun clause, relative clause, and adverb clause. A non-finite clause contains a non-finite verb. It’s another term for infinitive phrase, participial phrase, and gerund phrase. A verbless clause resembles a clause but lacks a verb phrase.)
Examples:
Non-finite clause
When walking the dog, he often listens to podcasts.
Whenever running late, she texts ahead to inform others.
Once finished with his work, he likes to relax with a book.
Where located, the signs are hard to miss.
Wherever stationed, he finds ways to stay fit.
If required, call us at our customer care number.
Verbless clause
When necessary, they call for backup.
Whenever excited, he tends to speak quickly.
Once ready, they will begin the presentation.
Where appropriate, include references.
Wherever practical, use public transportation.
If quiet and serene, library is the perfect place to study.
If meaning remains clear, subordinators can be dropped.
Walking the dog, he often listens to podcasts.
Taken regularly, the medication can improve your condition.
Quiet and serene, library is the perfect place to study.
