Adverb clauses bring variety of information to sentences – time, place, manner, condition, concession, purpose, and more. Information on preference, provided by adverb clause of preference, 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 preference?
Adverb clauses of preference provide an option which loses to the option provided by the matrix clause. (Matrix clause is what’s left after removing subordinate clause. In the sentence Rather than take the bus, I would walk, for example, I would walk is matrix clause.) They show up in sentences as non-finite clause, taking bare infinitive (infinitive without to) as verb. They’re usually introduced by subordinating conjunctions rather than and sooner than, also known as preference subordinators.
(Finite vs. non-finite clause: If you don’t know what finite and non-finite clauses are, here is a simplified difference between the two. 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.)
Examples:
Rather than take the bus, I would walk. [The option provided by adverb clause (bus) loses to option provided by matrix clause (walk). In other words, walking is preferred over taking bus. Also note bare infinitive take.]
He would spend time with family sooner than work late in the office. [Preference of spending time with family over working late]
I will read a book sooner than binge on entertainment on my phone. [Preference of reading a book over entertainment on phone]
The above clauses can also be written in the pattern I would (or had) rather (or sooner):
I would rather walk than take the bus.
He would sooner spend time with family than work late in the office.
I will sooner read a book than binge on entertainment on my phone.
So far, we’ve looked at adverb clauses expressing predominantly one meaning: preference. But adverb clauses are known for expressing multiple meanings simultaneously. Next up is such mix of meanings, one of which is preference.
Mixed signals: An adverb clause may convey multiple meanings simultaneously
Adverb clauses introduced by subordinating conjunction before sometimes convey meaning of time and meaning of preference, at the same time. Such constructions take modal auxiliary in adverb as well as matrix clause. Examples:
I would usually browse YouTube before I would sit down for a challenging task.
[The clause conveys not only meaning of time, but also shows preference of YouTube over a challenging task. Note modal auxiliary would in both the clauses.]
Though the above clause may be called adverb clause of time or adverb clause of preference, grammatically it’s both clauses rolled into one.
Comparative clauses are incorrectly treated as adverb clauses of preference
Comparative clauses compare two propositions. They’re introduced by subordinating conjunctions as and than, which are part of correlatives as…as, more…than, less…than, and –er…than.
Comparative clauses too can convey preference. When expressing preference, such constructions take comparative adverb (faster, more readily) – and not comparative adjective – and take modal auxiliary in comparative as well as matrix clause. Examples:
He will prepare dinner faster than he will clean the kitchen.
[Comparative clause underlined. He prefers preparing dinner over cleaning the kitchen. Note modal auxiliary will in both the clauses.]
He would accept constructive criticism more readily than he would take praise. [He prefers constructive criticism over praise.]
When a comparative clause conveys meaning of preference, many term it as an adverb clause of preference. But that’s not correct. Here is the reason.
You would know that there are three types of dependent clauses – noun, relative (or adjective), and adverb. But there is another – comparative clause – which is a modifier like relative and adverb clause. Comparative clause, in other words, is at the same hierarchical level as other three dependent clauses, but it’s different from them. It’s not noun clause. It’s not relative clause. It’s not adverb clause. That’ why you’ll never see the term adverb clause of comparative.
If comparative clause is not an adverb clause, how can it be an adverb clause of preference? You can call it a clause of preference – but not an adverb clause of preference. An adverb clause of preference is what we discussed earlier in this post.
