Reasons for choosing the study
English usage encompasses a vast range of topics, reflecting the complexity of the language itself For native speakers, most aspects of usage are intuitive and uncontroversial However, learners of English as a foreign language often encounter challenges, particularly with certain constructions, such as adverbial clauses, which can lead to confusion and misunderstandings.
For example: Working all day, he felt tired
The sentence "After he worked all day, he felt tired" can be interpreted as an adverbial clause of time, while "Because he worked all day, he felt tired" illustrates an adverbial clause of reason Both examples demonstrate how adverbial clauses effectively convey the relationship between actions and their outcomes.
Adverbial clauses play a crucial role in English grammar, yet they often pose challenges for learners While many grammarians have explored English adverbial clauses, research specifically addressing their use in relation to Vietnamese has been limited Recent studies aim to assist learners in navigating the complexities of these clauses and overcoming common confusions.
Aims of the study
The background highlights the necessity for a more in-depth examination of adverbial clauses in English, focusing on both their structure and usage Consequently, this study aims to address these gaps in understanding.
- Giving the description and features of English adverbial clauses and their equivalent realizations in Vietnamese to illustrate the differences and similarities of adverbial clauses in the two languages
- Offering suggestions for teaching adverbial clauses to Vietnamese learners
Determined by its aims, this paper tries to find the answers to the following questions:
1 What is an adverbial clause?
2 What are the features and classifications of adverbial clauses?
3 What are the differences and similarities between English adverbial clauses and their Vietnamese equivalents and how they serve the teaching of English grammar to Vietnamese students?
4 What are the predicted errors Vietnamese students may make when learning English adverbial clauses?
5 How are these errors eliminated?
Scope of the study
This article explores adverbial clauses, emphasizing their various types and comparing their usage in English and Vietnamese Additionally, it offers guidance for learners on how to effectively avoid common errors when using adverbial clauses.
Methods of the study
i Comparative and contrastive method ii Statistical method iii Analytical method.
Design of the study
This subject consists of three main parts and references
The introduction of the study presents the rationale behind the research, outlines its objectives, and formulates key research questions It also defines the scope and methodology employed, along with the overall design of the study Furthermore, it provides an overview of the thesis structure.
Part B, entitled “Investigation”, is divided into three chapters
The first one, “Theoretical preliminaries” supplies an over view of sentence, clause, and adverbial clauses in English
The second chapter, “Concrete cases of adverbial clauses
In English and Vietnamese”, presents English adverbial clauses and Vietnamese
The presentation focuses on syntactical features, functional roles and Concrete cases of each kind of adverbial clauses in the sentence
The last chapter is about the applications of the study to the teaching of English adverbial clauses to Vietnamese students
Part C is the conclusion summarizing the main point discussed in previous parts
THEORETICAL PRELIMINARIES
Sentence and general knowledge of adverbial in sentence
The sentence, recognized as the largest unit of syntax, is a significant focus in grammar studies This emphasis on understanding sentences is understandable given their importance in language structure and communication.
The concept of a sentence is widely recognized, ranging from beginners in language courses to experienced linguists; however, the definitions of what constitutes a sentence vary significantly and can often lead to confusion.
In traditional grammar, sentences are defined as combinations of words, with syntax determining how these words can be arranged and which ones can be paired together to create coherent sentences.
A sentence can be defined linguistically by examining its internal structure, which consists of specific elements arranged in a particular order Ultimately, these elements are made up of words or parts of words that work together to convey meaning.
According to G Leech and J Svartvik (1992), sentences consist of one or more clauses A sentence with a single clause is referred to as a simple sentence, while those containing multiple clauses are categorized as complex sentences.
According to Randolph Quirk et al (1972), a sentence typically consists of two main components: the subject and the predicate The subject refers to the person, thing, or event being discussed, while the predicate conveys information about the subject This structure highlights the relationship between the subject and the theme of the sentence, often introducing new information The predicate elaborates on a subject that has been previously mentioned, providing clarity to the sentence's meaning.
Eg He had given the girl an apple
1.1.3 Functions of adverbials in sentence
Adverbials are essential components of sentences, functioning as adverb phrases, prepositional phrases, or noun phrases They enhance the meaning of a sentence by modifying verbs, providing crucial information about the action being described.
Adverb phrase: You are going very slowly
We wanted to get back
Preposition phrase: Cathelin wasn’t at home
You saw the police car in front of you
Noun phrase: We wanted to get home
Adverbial modifies different parts in the sentence
Eg The car in front of us was a police car
You were getting really impatient
They are going very slowly
They inspected the car thoroughly
Then you decided to overtake.
Clause
A clause is normally understood as a group of words containing a subject and finite verb, forming a sentence or part of sentence, and often doing the work of a noun, adjective or adverb
In traditional grammar, clauses are considered the fundamental building blocks of sentences, functioning as the smallest units of meaning In contrast, a sentence refers to a larger, more complex structure that encompasses one or more clauses, as noted by Palmer (1994: 11).
The "traditional" clause serves as a fundamental element within a sentence, highlighting a significant feature of natural language While its definition may seem arbitrary, it effectively conveys meaning and showcases the complexities of linguistic structure.
According to Quirk et al (1972), a clause can be defined as a structural unit that consists of five key elements: subject (S), verb (V), object (O), complement (C), and adverbial (A) This formal analysis provides a clear framework for understanding the components of a clause.
Leech and Svartvick (1992) revised the understanding of sentence structure by asserting that clauses are the fundamental components of sentences They introduced three significant methods for describing and classifying these clauses.
In terms of clause elements (subject, verb etc.) from which they are constructed and the verb patterns which are formed from the elements
In terms of the use in which a clause is made by verb phrase structure to help distinguish between finite clauses, non-finite clauses, and verbless clauses
In the study of clause functions, such as nominal and adverbial clauses, Leech and Svartvik build on Quirk's framework to establish clearer and more precise criteria for understanding clauses Their formal and structural approach surpasses traditional views by incorporating various linguistic aspects, making it a more effective tool for linguistic research Halliday (1985) further emphasizes the functional nature of clauses, defining them as units that convey meaning through a triple construction, highlighting their simultaneous functions in language.
As the expression of the phenomena of experience
As the expression of speech function
As the bearer of message, this is organized in the form of theme plus exposition
In the view of speech function, Halliday’s “clause” has a two-part structure consisting of modal element and proposional elements
In whichever approach, traditional, structural or functional, there is always a widespread agreement that a clause typically consists of five elements: S, V, O, C and A
Clauses are categorized into three types: adverbial clauses, adjective clauses, and noun clauses An adverbial clause modifies the verb of the main clause or can sometimes modify the entire sentence Adjective clauses modify a preceding noun or pronoun, while noun clauses can serve various functions, including subject, subjective complement, object of a verb, objective of a preposition, and appositive This study will focus on adverbial clauses, exploring their features and functions.
A clause can be analyzed into five different types of clause elements: (subject, verb, object, complement and adverb)
When a clause is considered as a sentence, it may have following patterns:
She gave Oliver a hard blow
He left the room quickly
We have proved him wrong
Clauses are primarily categorized into two types: independent clauses and dependent clauses, also known as main clauses and subordinate clauses An independent clause can function as a complete sentence on its own, while a dependent clause cannot stand alone and requires an independent clause to form a grammatical sentence Traditionally, dependent clauses are classified into three types based on their functions: adverbial clauses, adjective clauses, and noun clauses.
In this study, we will analyze the functional classification of dependent clauses, which can be categorized as subject, direct object, disjunct, or conjunct These clauses exhibit a diverse range of structures.
Analyzed by structure type, clauses are of three main classes: finite clause, non-finite clause, and verbless clause
A finite clause includes a finite verb and always contains a subject, while a non-finite clause features a non-finite verb, such as an infinitive (with or without "to"), an -ing participle, or an -ed participle Additionally, a verbless clause lacks any verbal element One key distinction between finite and non-finite clauses, as well as verbless clauses, is the frequent absence of a subject in the latter The ellipsis present in non-finite and verbless clauses serves important stylistic purposes, particularly in written language.
The clause can be analyzed from a functional perspective, as highlighted by Halliday (1995: 73), who asserts that every clause is structured as a message comprising two essential parts: the Theme, which serves as the point of departure, and the Rhyme, which forms the body of the message Typically, the Theme precedes the Rhyme in the message structure, allowing for a deeper analysis that transcends mere syntax This Theme-Rhyme structure provides a framework for understanding the organization of information within a clause.
Adverbial clauses in English
An adverbial clause, as defined by Alice Oshima and Ann Hogue, is a type of dependent clause introduced by a subordinator This clause modifies the verb of a noun clause and provides answers to questions such as Where?, Why?, How?, and When?, indicating the purpose of the action.
An adverbial clause begins with a subordinating conjunction, which makes the subordinate (dependent) clause
After in order (that) Unless although insofar as Until
When considering various conjunctions and adverbs, terms like "as soon as," "no matter how," and "wherever" play crucial roles in connecting ideas Phrases such as "as if," "now that," and "once" help establish conditions and timelines, while "whether" and "because" introduce reasoning and causality The use of "provided that" and "while" indicates stipulations and simultaneous actions, respectively Additionally, "before," "since," and "why" serve to clarify relationships between events and their motivations Understanding these elements enhances coherence and flow in writing.
If That inasmuch as Though in case (that) Till
Example of adverbial clause answering when?
When spring arrives, the flowers bloom
When will the flowers bloom? Answer: when spring arrives
Example of adverbial clause answering why?
The poor woman had no money because she had lost her job
Why didn't the poor woman have money? Answer: because she had lost her job
Example of adverbial clause answering where?
Where there is smoke, there is fire adverbial clause
Where is there fire? Answer: where there is smoke
Example of adverbial clause answering how?
He answered the question as if he knew the subject quite well
How did he answer the question?
Answer: as if he knew the subject quite well
Example of adverbial clause answering to what degree?
Jones will probably arrive later than Smith (will arrive)
To what degree of lateness will Jones arrive? Answer: (later) than Smith
Another example of an adverbial clause answering to what degree?
He much younger than his brother (is)
1.3.2 Common features of Adverbial clauses
Adverbial clauses are dependent clauses that function as other adverbials They can have functions as adverb phrases, preposition phrases, and noun phrases
Eg We could play cards after wards
We could play cards after the meal
We could play cards after we’ve eaten
Adverbial clauses provide additional information regarding the action or state expressed in the main sentence, specifying details such as the time, place, or manner of the occurrence.
Adverbial clauses usually come before or after a main clause A comma is often used when the adverbial clause comes first
Eg If you like, we could play cards
We could play cards if you like
The arrangement of clauses in a sentence is influenced by the significance of the information they present When conveying new and important information, it is typically positioned at the end of the sentence to emphasize its relevance.
Eg I arrived about ten minutes after the start of the meeting
I was late because Don was telling me his problems Here I was late related back to ten minutes after the start The information about Don is new
There are non-finite adverbial clauses: - Ing clauses, -Ed clauses, and verbless clauses
Eg Why waiting, Colin paced up and down
Please wait until told to proceed
Linguistics offers various perspectives on the types of adverbial clauses, as outlined in renowned grammar books and websites According to L.G Alexander, there are ten primary categories of adverbial clauses: time, place, manner, concession, result, reason, purpose, comparison, condition, and abbreviated adverbial clauses These classifications highlight the diversity and complexity of adverbial clauses in the English language.
Eg: You did not look very well when you got up this morning
Eg Consumers usually prefer to do business wherever credit cards are accepted
Eg I feel as if / as though I am floating on air
Eg Although I felt sorry for him, I was secretly pleased that he was having difficulties
Eg His reactions are so quick (that) no one can match him
Eg Because there was very little support, the strict was not successful
Eg They must have worn gloves in order not to leave any fingerprints
Eg John runs as quickly as Marry does
Eg He must be lying if you told you that
Eg After listening a little, the postmaster got up and said.
Functions of adverbial clause in English sentence structures
Adverbial clauses primarily serve as adjuncts or disjuncts, similar to adverbial phrases However, they offer greater explicitness, making them more akin to prepositional phrases, as noted by S Greenbaum and R Quirk (1990).
Adverbial clauses can be identified by asking and answering the questions: when?, where?, How?, why?, etc
When?: Tell him as soon as he arrive (Time)
Where?: You can sit where you like (Place)
How?: He spoke as if he meant business (Manner)
Why?: He went to bed because he felt ill (Reason)
Adverbial clauses are essential components of sentences, each serving distinct functions By examining the various types of adverbial clauses, we can gain a clearer understanding of their roles in enhancing sentence meaning and structure.
Concrete cases of adverbial clauses in English and Vietnamese
This section of the study will examine the key characteristics, functions, and specific examples of the ten types of English adverbial clauses, as previously outlined, comparing them with their Vietnamese counterparts.
Adverbial clauses of time are dependent clauses introduced by subordinators such as after, as, before, once, since, till, until, when (ever), while, now that, as long as, immediately (that), and directly (that) Typically, a comma is used when these adverbial clauses appear at the beginning of a sentence.
Eg: You did not look very well when you got up this morning
After she got married, Madeleine changed completely
You can keep these records as long as you like
Once you’ve seen one penguin, you’ve seen them all
An adverbial clause of time tells us when the action described by the main verb took place
Eg: Her father died when she was young
He has not stopped complaining since he got back from his holidays
2.2.1.3 Some Concrete cases of adverbial clauses of time in English and
Adverbial clauses of time are introduced by concrete main subordinators
When the cloud bursts, it rain fishes (K A Abba, 6)
Rồi khi mây tan, trời mưa ra cá (N Tâm, 7)
When he runs, he leaves the storm wind behind (G Balwnt, 26)
Khi cậu ấy chạy, gió bảo sẽ tụt lại đằng sau (N Tâm, 27)
When the judge said that an interview with his highness was being arranged, she agreed (G Balwnt, 34)
Khi thẩm phán nói rằng người ta đang thu xếp một cuộc tiếp kiến hoàng tử, thì bà đồng ý (N Tâm, 35)
I watched her when she was not looking (M K Prabhat, 42) Tôi quan sát cô ấy lúc cô ấy không nhìn tôi (N Tâm, 43)
When she finished, I was silent with astonishment (M K Prabhat, 64)
After she finished playing, I was left speechless in astonishment In both English and Vietnamese, adverbial clauses of time can be introduced by the subordinator "when," as seen in phrases like "when ," "when then," and "after when."
He would have some hot water before he began (J LonDon, 36)
Anh ấy nhất thiết phải uống một ít nước nóng trước lúc bắt đầu đi tiếp
I could have jumped into his taxi, caught the bus before it reach Mahim
(K A Abba, 22) Tôi có thể nhảy phốc lên Taxi của anh ta, đuổi kịp chiếc xe buýt nọ trước khi nó đến
Adverbial clauses of time with subordinator: “before” in English and Vietnamese:
(tr-íc lóc, tr-íc khi )
Once the ice was broken, we began to talk with astonishing informality
Khi tảng băng ngăn cách bắt đầu tan đi, thì chúng tôi nói chuyện với nhau tự nhiên môt cách lạ kỳ (N Tâm, 15)
He gets up late once he has so many things to do (H.V Bửu, 78)
Anh ấy thường thức đậy muộn một khi anh ấy có quá nhiều việc để làm
Adverbial clauses of time with subordinator: “once” in English and their
Vietnamese equivalents: (khi…thì, một khi…)
After he had drunk a quart of hot water, the man found he was able to stand
Sau khi uống ít nước, anh cảm thấy có thể đứng đậy được (Đ Lê, 39)
We can go some Saturday after Maggie’s office closes (M K Prabhat, 66)
Chúng tôi có thể đi vào thứ 7 nào đó sau khi Maggi tan sở
Adverbial clauses of time are with subordinator: “after” in English and Vietnamese:
I waited till the streetlights leap out of the dark (K A Abba, 8)
Tôi đợi mãi cho tới khi đèn đường phố từ trong bóng sang lên (N Tâm, 9)
They grained and grained until he could not keep his mind steady
Những cơn đau ấy cào đi xé lại cho đến khi không giữ được trí óc mình tỉnh táo
I will wait until/ till he comes back (H V Bửu, 79)
Tôi sẽ đợi đến khi anh trở lại (H V Bửu, 79)
Adverbial clauses of time with subordinator: “till/ until” in English and
Vietnamese: ( mãi cho đến khi…, cho tới khi…, đến khi…)
He had done a good deed everyday since he took his oath (H.V Bửu, 78)
Mỗi ngày hắn làm một việc thiện từ khi hắn ta tuyên thề (H.V Bửu, 78)
Adverbial clauses of time with subordinator: “since” in English and Vietnamese: ( từ khi…)
As soon as: (ngay khi…, khi nào…)
As soon as he came back, I will be granted an interview (M K Prabhat, 38)
Ngay khi ngài trở về, tôi sẽ tiếp kiến (N Tâm, 39)
Assuming her that all their troubles would end as soon as he got his chance to go to
Anh an ủi bà mẹ rằng tất cả nỗi cực nhọc của họ sẽ chấm rứt ngay khi anh cú cơ hội đi Luân §ôn (N Tâm, 37)
Adverbial clauses of place are dependent clauses, introduced by subordinators:
Eg The church was built where there had once been a Roman temple
They went wherever they could find work
With a special train ticket, you can travel everywhere/ anywhere you like
Adverbial clauses of place tell where the action described by the main verb took place
Eg Most people prefer to shop where they can be sure of quality
Consumers usually prefer to do business wherever credit cards are accepted
2.2.2.3 Some concrete cases of adverbial clauses of place in English and Vietnamese
Adverbial clauses of place are introduced by concrete main subordinators
He would come to where she gave him the first view (H.V Bửu, 77) Anh ấy sẽ trở về nơi mà lần đầu anh gặp cô ấy
I will go where you tell me (H.V Bửu, 77) Tôi sẽ đến nơi nào anh bảo tôi
Adverbial clauses of place with subordinator: “where” in English and their Vietnamese equivalents: (nơi mà…, nơi nào…, một nơi…, ở chỗ…)
He rested whenever he fell (J LonDon, 32) Anh nghỉ ở chỗ nào anh gục ngó (D Lê, 33)
Adverbial clauses of place are essential in both English and Vietnamese, utilizing the subordinator "wherever." In English, this structure allows for flexibility in expressing location, as seen in the phrase "He sat wherever he could find a seat." Similarly, in Vietnamese, it conveys the same meaning: "Hắn ta ngồi bất cứ chỗ nào hắn ta tỡm được chỗ." This highlights the importance of context in understanding adverbial clauses across languages.
( ở chỗ nào…, bất cứ chỗ nào…)
Adverbial clauses of manner are dependent clauses, introduced by subordinators:
“As”, “in the way that” They normally come after the main clause
Eg Type this again as I showed you moment ago
This steak is cooked in the way that I like it
Adverbial clauses of manner also express comparison when they are introduced by expression: like, (in) the way, (in) the same way,( in) the same way as
Eg She is behaving in the same way her elder sister used to
Adverbial clauses of manner can also be introduced by the
Conjunctions As if, as though after the verbs: be, act, appear, behave, feel, look, seem, smell, sound
Eg I feel as if / as though I am floating on air
It sounds as if/ as though the situation will get worse
“As though” and “as if” can be used after any verbs describing behavior
Eg She acts as if she were mad
Lillian was trembling as if she had seen a ghost.
Adverbial clauses of manner are dependent clauses, used to talk about someone’s behavior or the way something is done
Eg I was never allowed to do things the way I wanted to do them
I feel as if/ as though I am floating on the air
2.2.3.3 Some concrete cases of adverbial clauses of manner in English and Vietnamese
Adverbial clauses of manner are introduced by concrete main subordinators
Each time he lifted a foot the action culminated in sucking sound as the wet most reluctantly released it’s grip (J LonDon, 11)
Mỗi khi bàn chân nhấc lên thì một tiếng phọt lại phát ra tưạ như lớp rêu sũng nước đã miễn cưỡng buông chân ra (Đ Lê, 12)
I shall do as you suggest (O Henry, 72)
Tôi sẽ làm như cô gợi ý (Đ Lê, 73)
Adverbial clauses of manner with subordinator: “as” in English and vietnammese:
(tựa như…, làm như…, như…)
Lost in deep contemplation of life's stories, I resembled an absent-minded philosophy professor, oblivious to the elegant umbrella I held.
Tôi cảm thấy như một giáo sư triết học mải mê suy tư về những bí ẩn của cuộc sống, đến nỗi quên rằng mình đang cầm một chiếc ô cao cấp.
He spoke as if he had known what he was talking about (H.V Bửu, 81)
Nó nói như là nó biết những điều nó đang nói (H.V Bửu, 81)
Adverbial clauses of manner with subordinator: “as if” in English and vietnammese:
(cứ như thể …mà…, như là…)
The man stood till for fully a minute as though debating with himself, he called out
(J LonDon, 8) Anh đứng yên đến chọn một phút tựa như đang tranh luận với bản thân rồi gọi to
He dropped it as though it had given him an electric shock
Anh buụng nú xuống như thể bị điện giật (Đ Lê, 93)
Adverbial clauses of manner with subordinator: “as though” in English and Vietnamese: (tựa như …, như là…, như thể…)
Adverbial clauses of concession or contrast clauses are dependent clauses, introduced by the following subordinators: although, though, even though, event if, considering (that), much as, whereas
Eg Although I felt sorry for him, I was secretly pleased that he was having difficulties
We intend to go India even if airfares go up again between now and summer
Whereas John seems rather stupid, his brother is clever
Adverbial clauses of concession are used to make statements, one of which contrast with the other or make it seem surprising
Eg I used to read a lot although I don’t get much time for book now
Adverbial clauses of concession define the boundaries of the main clause, highlighting a contrast or unexpected outcome The independent clause conveys a concession that stems from the information presented in the dependent clause, illustrating how these clauses interact to create nuanced meaning.
Eg Although most students dislike English courses, they most take them in order to graduate
2.2.4.3 Some Concrete cases of adverbial clauses of concession in English and Vietnamese
Adverbial clauses of concession are introduced by concrete main subordinators
Though he knew now that he was list (J LonDon, 24)
Mặc dầu anh biết là lỳc này tõm trớ anh đang hỗn loạn (Đ Lờ, 25)
He worked more carefully, striving to be cold though his heart was pounding against his chest (J LonDon, 20)
Anh làm việc thận trọng hơn, cố gắng bình tĩnh tuy thế tim anh vẫn đập thình thịch vào lồng ngực (Đ Lê, 21)
Adverbial clauses of concession with subordinator: “though” in English and
Vietnamese: (mặc dầu…, tuy thế…)
Although the hunter’s instinct was in his very blood and bones, such as loneliness had come in to his life (Dhumketu, 84)
Tuy trong máu thịt mình có bản năng của người đi săn, nổi cô đơn ấy đã đến với ông
Although he tried hard, he was not successful (H V Bửu, 86)
Mặc dầu hắn ta cố gắng nhiều, nhưng hắn ta vẫn không thành công
Adverbial clauses of concession with subordinator: “although” in English and
Vietnamese: (mặc dầu, mặc dầu…nhưng…, tuy…)
Even though the twilight, they could see the lone ivy leaf climbing to its stem against the wall (O Henry, 61)
Ngay cả khi qua ánh hoàng hôn, họ nhìn thấy chiếc lá vẫn bám vào cuống lá nằm sát bên tường (Đ Lê, 62)
His patience was exhausted even though he still had faith (Dhumketu, 90)
Sự kiên trì của ông đã cạn mặc dù/ thậm trí ông vẫn còn niềm tin
(N Tâm, 91) Adverbial clauses of concession with subordinator: “even though” in English and
Vietnamese: (mặc dầu…, thậm trí…, ngay cả khi…)
Even if I had a wife, where could I keep her (K A Abba, 8)
Thậm trí tôi có vợ thì tôi biết để cô ta ở đâu (N Tâm, 9)
That was so precious even if they could never return (K A Abba, 20) Những dây phút vô cùng quý giá ấy dù cho chúng chẳng bao giờ trở lại
(N Tâm, 21) Adverbial clauses of concession are with subordinator: “even if” in English and Vietnamese: (dù cho…, thậm trí…)
Adverbial clauses of result are dependent clauses that share similarities with purpose clauses in both meaning and structure The key distinction lies in the nature of result clauses, which are considered "factual" rather than "putative," allowing them to utilize standard verb forms without the need for modal auxiliaries.
They are introduced by structures:
Such a (an) + adjective/ adverb + (that)
Eg His reactions are so quick (that) no one can match him
He is such a marvelous joker (that) you can’t help laughing
Adverbial clauses of result are used to indicate the results of something
Eg My suitcase had become so damaged on the journey that the Lid would not stay close
2.2.5.3 Some concrete cases of adverbial clauses of result in English and
Adverbial clauses of result are introduced by concrete main structures
She is so beautiful that her husband feels miserable (H V Bửu, 85)
Bà ta đẹp đến nỗi mà chồng bà ta cảm thấy khổ sở (H V Bửu, 85)
He ran so fast that I could not catch him (H V Bửu, 85)
Hắn chạy nhanh đến nỗi tôi đuổi theo không kịp (H V Bửu, 85)
Such a (an) + adjective/ adverb + noun+ (that):
It was such a warm day that I took off my sweater (H V Bửu, 85) Trời ấm áp đến nơi tôi phải cởi áo len ra (H V Bửu, 85)
He has such a loud voice that he does not need a loudspeaker
(H V Bửu, 85) Ông ta nói to đến nơi mà không cần máy phóng thanh
(H V Bửu, 85) Adverbial clauses of result with structures:
“ such a (an) + adjective/ adverb + that”
“So+ adjective/ adverb+ that” In English and their Vietnamese equivalents: (đến nỗi…mà, đến nỗi…)
She came back so late to go to the cinema with her boy friend
Cô ấy về quá trễ để có thể đi xem phim cùng bạn trai
Adverbial clauses of result with structure: “So + adjective/ adverb + to”
In English and Vietnamese: (quá ……để……).
2.2.6 Clauses of reason and cause
Adverbial clauses of reason and cause are dependent clauses, Introduced by subordinators: Because, as, seeing that, and since
Eg Because there was very little support, the strict was not successful
I lent him the money because he needed it
Since Jame was the eldest, she looks after the others
Adverbial clauses of reason and cause are used to indicate the reason or cause for something
Eg Some women are choosing coal mining as a job because modern technology has improved working condition
Since coal production will be more than double by the 1990s, the work force will also have to increase
2.2.6.3 Some concrete cases of adverbial clauses of reason and cause in English and
Adverbial clauses of reason and cause are introduced by concrete main subordinators
I never answer back because I am a gentlemen (J LonDon, 6)
Tôi không bao giờ cải lại bởi vì tôi là người lịch sự (Đ Lê, 7)
He sold the car because it was too small (H V Bửu, 81)
Anh ta bán xe vì chiếc xe nhỏ quá (H V Bửu, 81)
Since you won’t help me, I must do the job my self (H V Bửu, 81)
Vì anh không giúp nên tôi phải làm lấy công việc (H V Bửu, 81)
As my secretary is away at present, I have a great many extra letters to answer
(H V Bửu,81) Hiện thời vì thư kí tôi đi vắng, tôi có thêm nhiều thứ để trả lời
Seeing that my action was wrong, I must apologize my friend
Vì hành động tôi làm sai, nên tôi phải xin lỗi bạn mình (H V Bửu, 81)
Adverbial clauses of reason and cause with subordinators: “because, as, seeing that, since” in English and Vietnamese: (vì…, bởi vì…, nên…)
Adverbial clauses of purpose are dependent clauses that express the intention behind an action They are introduced by subordinators such as "in order that," "so that," "in order for [noun] to," "so as to," "for fear that," "lest," and "in case." These clauses clarify the purpose of the main clause, enhancing the overall meaning of the sentence.
Eg I’ve arrived early so that/ In order that I may get a good view of the professor They must have worn gloves in order not to leave any fingerprints
Adverbial clauses of purpose are used to indicate the purpose of an action
Eg They had to take some of his land so that they could extend the churchyard
2.2.7.3 Some concrete cases of adverbial clauses of purpose in English and
Adverbial clauses of purpose are introduced by concrete main subordinators:
Some people eat so that they may live (H V Bửu, 82) Một số người ăn chỉ để sống (H V Bửu, 82)
He worked hard so that he might win the price (H V Bửu, 82) Ông ta làm việc cần cù để có thể đạt giải (H V Bửu, 82)
He hitched his pack father over on his left shoulder so as to take a portion of it weight from off the injured ankle (J LonDon, 11)
Anh hất bó chăn sang vai trái để sức nặng lên bên mắt cá chân bị thương
I am telling you this lest/ for fear that you should make mistake
Tôi kể anh chuyện này sợ anh phạm lỗi (H V Bửu, 82)
Others seem to live in order that they may eat (H V Bửu, 82)
Những người khác dường như sống để ăn (H V Bửu, 82)
He completed this work in order to get good view from manager
(H V Bửu, 82) Anh ấy hoàn thành công việc này để tạo ấn tượng với người quản lí
Adverbial clauses of purpose in English include subordinators such as "in order that," "so that," "in order for [noun] to," "so as to," "for fear that," "lest," and "in case." These clauses express intentions or goals and have corresponding Vietnamese equivalents like "để…," "để cho…," "để mà…," "e rằng…," and "sợ rằng…." Understanding these structures can enhance both English and Vietnamese language proficiency.
Adverbial clauses of condition are dependent clauses, Introduced chiefly by subordinators: “if, unless, so/as long as, on condition (that), assuming (that), provided (that)”
Eg He must be lying if you told you that
Unless the strike had been called off, there will be no train tomorrow
Providing/ provided (that) you clear your desk by this evening, you can have tomorrow off
Adverbial clauses of condition are used to talk about possible situation and it consequences
Eg If they lost weight during an illness, they soon regain it afterwards
2.2.8.3 Some concrete cases of adverbial clauses of condition in English and
Adverbial clauses of condition are introduced by concrete main subordinators
If the man runs, he would run after him (J LonDon, 30) Nếu con người bỏ chạy thỡ nú sẽ đuổi theo (Đ Lê, 31)
I shall go if he asked me (H V Bửu, 85) Tôi sẽ đi nếu nó yêu cầu tôi (H V Bửu, 85)
I shan’t go unless he asks me (H V Bửu, 85) Tôi sẽ không đi trừ phi nó yêu cầu tôi (H V Bửu, 85)
As long as / provided, providing that/ on condition that:
I shall go on as long as he asks me (H V Bửu, 85) Tôi sẽ đi miễn là nó yêucầu (H V Bửu, 85)
Adverbial clauses of condition with subordinators: “if, unless, so/as long as, on condition (that), assuming (that), provided (that)” in English and Vietnamese:
As long as: Miễn là……
Provided, providing that/ on condition that: Với điều kiện là…………
Adverbial clauses of comparison are dependent clauses, often introduced by structures: “as + adv/ adj + as”
“not so/ as+ adv/ adj + as”
Eg He is as quick as his sister (is)
He answers as quickly as his sister (does)
The more you practice, the better you get
Adverbial clauses of comparison are used to talk about comparison
Eg John runs as quickly as Marry does
He moves more slowly than his sister does
2.2.9.3 Some concrete cases of adverbial clauses of comparison in English and Vietnamese
Adverbial clauses of comparison are introduced by concrete main structures
Today, it is as hot as it was yesterday (H V Bửu, 83) Hôm nay, trời nóng như hôm qua (H V Bửu, 83)
Not so/ as+ adv/ adj +as:
The work is not so (as) easy as you think (H V Bửu, 83) Công việc này không dể như anh nghĩ (H V Bửu, 83)
It is hotter than it was yesterday (H V Bửu, 83) Hôm nay trời nóng hơn hôm qua (H V Bửu, 83)
More + long adj / adv +than:
I practices more carefully than my sister does (H V Bửu, 83) Tôi thực hành cẩn thận hơn chị gái tôi (H V Bửu, 83)
She sang less beautifully than I expected (H V Bửu, 83)
Cô ta hát không hay hơn là tôi tưởng (H V Bửu, 83)
Abbreviated Adverbial clauses are dependent clauses, introduced by: “- ing clauses,
-ed clauses, verbless clauses, -ing clauses without a subject”, deleting the subject and the verb after subordinators
Eg While (she was in) college, Delia wrote a novel
Where (it is) necessary, improvement will be made
He acts as if (he was) certain of success
Though (he was) exhausted, he went to bed very late
If (it is) possible, please tell me know by this evening
Abbreviated Adverbial clauses are adverbial clauses talk about (time, place, manner…)
Eg After listening a little, the postmaster got up and said (Time)
Wherever possible, all moving parts should be tested (Place)
Even though the twilight, they could see the lone ivy leaf climbing to it’s stem against the wall (Concession)
2.2.10.3 Some concrete cases of Abbreviated Adverbial clauses in English and Vietnamese
Abbreviated Adverbial clauses are introduced by concrete main structures
Subordinators + Ing clauses, main clause:
The man stood till for fully a minute as though debating with himself, he called out (J LonDon, 8)
Anh đứng yên đến chọn một phút tựa như đang tranh luận với bản thân rồi gọi to (Đ Lê, 9)
Subordinators + Verbless clauses, main clause:
After breakfast, I took some money and set out for Lambeth
Sau bữa sáng, tôi đem một ít tiền đến khu Lambớt (N Tâm, 71)
After a tiring day, I was standing on the road, waiting for some conveyance
Sau một ngày mệt nhọc, tôi đang ®ứng bên đường cái chờ xem có phương tiện gì để đi lại (N Tâm, 39)
-Ing clauses without a subject, main clause:
Having listened the story, the magistrate ordered the boy to be realized (M Vince, 46)
Sau khi đã nghe câu truyện xong, quan toà cho phép cậu bé được tự do
Subordinators + -Ed clauses, main clause:
Though (he was) exhausted, he went to bed very late (H V Bửu, 30)
Dù kiệt sức, anh ấy vẫn đi ngủ rất muộn (H V Bửu, 30)
CHAPTER 3 APPLICATIONS TO TEACHING ENGLISH ADVERBIAL CLAUSES TO
Some predictions of errors made by Vietnamese students when learning English
The findings from the contrastive analysis indicate potential errors that Vietnamese learners may encounter when studying adverbial clauses This chapter will concentrate on identifying these common confusions among learners and offer practical solutions to address them.
Misuse of tenses in adverbial clauses of time
Very often, students will use the simple future tense in adverbial clauses of time when talking about the future
(*) I will tell you my news when I will come back in 10 minutes (*) We will wait here until the rain will stop
Instead of: (*) I will tell you my news when I come back in 10 minutes
(*) We will wait here until the rain stops This may be because there is no equivalent tense between Vietnamese and English.
Using two conjunctions for two clauses
Vietnamese students often translate their native language into foreign languages, leading to the frequent use of multiple conjunctions in their sentences This results in the incorporation of two conjunctions for both the adverbial clause and the main clause, which can affect the clarity of their writing.
(*) Although my grandmother is old, but she is still active
(*) Although my grandmother is old, she is still active
These sentences are not acceptable in English because “Although” and “but” are never used at the same time in a sentence
They may translate from the Vietnamese sentence
Mặc dù bà tôi đã già nhưng bà vẫn rất nhanh nhẹn
Misrelated participles
Abbreviated adverbial clauses lack a subject, which is implied to be the same as the subject in the main clause When two clauses do not share a common subject, these abbreviated adverbial clauses are referred to as illogical participle clauses or misrelated participles.
After jumping out of a boat, the shark bit the man
The sentence implies that "the shark jumped out of the boat and then bit the man," but the true subject of the verb "jumping" is actually "the man." Therefore, it is essential to clarify that "the man" should follow the comma for accurate understanding.
Vietnamese students often struggle with English due to direct translation from their mother tongue, leading to errors in sentence structure For example, the Vietnamese sentence “Khi người đàn ông nhảy ra khỏi thuyền, một con cá mập đớp ông ta một miếng” translates incorrectly as “After jumping out of a boat, the shark bit the man.” The accurate translation should maintain proper English syntax for clarity and coherence.
After jumping out of a boat, the man was bitten by the shark
For clarity, introductory abbreviated adverbial clauses must be followed immediately by the noun, which is logically responsible for the action of abbreviated adverbial clauses Other examples:
Incorrect: While sailing along the coast, a group of dolphins followed us
Correct: While we were sailing along the coast, a group of dolphins followed us
Incorrect: After printing the final version of my essay, several typing errors were noticed
Correct: After I had printed the final version of my essay, I noticed several typing errors.
Misunderstanding of the meaning of conjunction in adverbial clauses of
Vietnamese students frequently struggle with the use of "unless" in adverbial clauses of condition This confusion arises from their tendency to translate foreign language concepts directly into Vietnamese, interpreting "unless" as "trừ phi" or "trừ khi." Understanding the correct application of "unless" is essential for mastering conditional statements in English.
Incorrect: Unless she follows a stricter diet, she will lose any weight
In Vietnamese, one might say, “Trừ khi cô ấy áp dụng một chế độ ăn kiêng nghiêm ngặt hơn, cô ấy sẽ giảm cân.” While this is grammatically correct in Vietnamese, it translates awkwardly into English The proper English construction would be, “Unless she follows a stricter diet, she will not lose weight.” This highlights the importance of understanding grammatical differences between languages for accurate communication.
Correct: Unless she follows a stricter diet, she won’t lose any weight
3.2 Some actual errors that Vietnamese learners commit when learning
A survey was conducted among 50 pre-intermediate English students at Yen Dinh 2 High School in Thanh Hoa province to identify common errors made by Vietnamese learners in using adverbial clauses The students completed five exercises focused on key types of adverbial clauses to assess their understanding and application.
Type of errors Frequency of occurrences %
Misuse of tenses in adverbial clauses of time 21 22.1
Using two conjunctions for two clauses 29 28.4
Misunderstanding of the meaning of conjunction in adverbial clauses of condition
Table1: Summary of the Frequencies of occurrence of errors that the students committed when doing the survey
The study revealed that the most common error, accounting for 34.3% of mistakes made by 50 students, was the misuse of misrelated participles in abbreviated adverbial clauses This finding aligns with our earlier predictions in section 3.2, indicating that students' errors stem from the influence of their native Vietnamese language during the transfer to English.
Fifty students made 29 errors, accounting for 28.4% of mistakes when translating from Vietnamese to English These errors stemmed from interference between their first language (L1) and second language (L2), particularly in the use of the Vietnamese structure “Mặc dầu……., nhưng + clause,” which does not have a direct equivalent in English In English, “but” cannot be used in the same way as “although” or “though.”
The findings revealed that 20.1% of the errors were related to tense usage in adverbial clauses of time, while 15.6% involved incorrect structures using "Unless + clause." Additionally, there were misunderstandings in meaning between English and Vietnamese.
3.3 Suggested ways of overcoming the problems of student’s errors
To minimize errors in using adverbial clauses, it is essential for students to develop automatic and habitual correct constructions through consistent practice Teachers should implement targeted drills and exercises to reinforce these skills effectively.
Adverbial clauses differ from nominal and adjective clauses in their functions and structures While nominal clauses function as subjects or objects and adjective clauses modify nouns, adverbial clauses provide information about time, cause, condition, or manner Understanding these distinctions is crucial for mastering English grammar There are various types of adverbial clauses, each with unique features and examples, such as time clauses (e.g., "when it rains") and conditional clauses (e.g., "if it snows") To assist students in overcoming common challenges with adverbial clauses, targeted exercises should be provided, focusing on sentence construction and application in different contexts An appendix with suggested exercises can further enhance their practice and understanding of adverbial clauses.
3.4 Some suggestions for teaching English Adverbial clauses
The aim of this contrastive analysis is to assist teachers in utilizing study results to enhance their teaching methods By identifying the differences and similarities in English adverbial clauses, educators can anticipate challenges faced by Vietnamese learners and effectively diagnose errors stemming from these difficulties This analysis not only deepens the teacher's understanding of both the mother tongue and the foreign language but also equips them to address issues arising from these linguistic contrasts Ultimately, it provides a framework for teachers to adapt their strategies and improve student learning outcomes.
Not all students learn or teachers teach in the same way, highlighting the need for educators to focus on students' specific needs rather than solely their own knowledge When teaching English adverbial clauses, it is essential for teachers to compare these structures with their Vietnamese counterparts to help students avoid intralingual errors Additionally, teachers should address developmental errors by clarifying differences between English adverbial clauses and previously learned structures To enhance comprehension, teachers must present English grammar in a communicative context, relying on situational explanations rather than direct translations from English to Vietnamese.
While speaking English, grammar may not be crucial, it plays a significant role in writing as it reflects one's comprehension of the language Among the various components of English grammar, the adverbial clause stands out as a key element.
This study explores the definitions, features, and classifications of English adverbial clauses, highlighting specific examples and their Vietnamese equivalents It identifies common errors made by Vietnamese students in understanding adverbial clauses and includes a survey to uncover actual mistakes learners encounter Additionally, the study offers suggested teaching strategies to effectively instruct Vietnamese students on English adverbial clauses.
The following are the similarities and differences between the English adverbial clauses and their Vietnamese equivalents that are found out in our study:
Adverbial clause is formed by subordinators in each kind of adverbial clauses
1 Adverbial clauses of time: “When, Before, Since, After, Till/ Until, As, As Soon
As + Clause, + Clause” is similar to the Vietnamese structure: “Khi, Trước khi,
Từ khi, Khi mà, Ngay khi + Clause, + (Thì) Clause”
2 Adverbial clauses of place: “ When, Where, Whenever, Wherever + Clause, + Clause” is similar to the Vietnamese ones: “Khi, Nơi mà, Bất cứ khi nào, Bất cứ nơi nào + Clause, + Clause”
3 Adverbial clauses of manner: “Clause+ As if, As though, As + Clause” is similar to the Vietnamese ones: “Clause + Tựa như, Cứ như thể, Như thể + Clause”
4 Adverbial clauses of concession: “Though, Although, Even though, Even if + Clause, + Clause” is similar to the Vietnamese ones: “Mặc dù, Tuy, Thậm trí,
5 Adverbial clauses of result: “S + V + So + Adj/ Adv + to, So + Adj/ Adv +
(That), Such a, an + Adj/ Adv + Noun + (That), Such +Adj/ Adv + (That), + Clause” is similar to the Vietnamese ones: “S + V + Adj/ Adv + (Quá) Đến nỗi, + Mà + Clause”
6 Adverbial clauses of reason and cause: “Because, Since, As + Clause, + Clause” is similar to the Vietnamese ones: “Bởi vì, Vì + Clause, + (Nên) Clause”
7 Adverbial clauses of purpose: “Clause + So That, In order That + Clause”,
“ Clause + In order to, So as to, + V + O + C” is similar to the Vietnamese ones: “S + V + C + Với mục đích là, Để + Clause, (+ V + O + C)
8 Adverbial clauses of condition: “If, Unless, As long As + Clause + Clause” is similar to the Vietnamese ones: “Nếu, Trừ phi, Ngay khi + Clause, (Thì) + Clause”
9 Adverbial clauses of comparison: “S + V + As + Adj/ Adv + As + Clause”,
The structures "S + V + Not as/so + Adj/Adv + As + Clause," "S + V + short Adj/Adv + -er + Than + Clause," "S + V + more + long Adj/Adv + Than + Clause," and "S + V + less + Adj/Adv + Than + Clause" in English closely resemble their Vietnamese counterparts These include "S + V + Adj/Adv + Bằng + Clause," "S + V + Adj/Adv + Không bằng + Clause," "S + V + Adj/Adv + Hơn + Clause," and "S + V + Kém + Adj/Adv + Hơn + Clause." Understanding these similarities can enhance language learning and improve comparative expressions in both languages.
Vietnamese is characterized as an isolating and analytic language, lacking direct equivalents to various English clause structures, including "-ing clauses," "-ed clauses," and verbless clauses Specifically, it does not have counterparts for the tenth type of abbreviated adverbial clauses, which consist of subordinators followed by these clause forms and a main clause This distinction highlights the unique grammatical framework of Vietnamese compared to English.
We have completed our study to the best of our ability, acknowledging that some errors are inevitable We welcome and appreciate any suggestions, comments, and advice from our readers.
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3 Eastwood, J (1994) Oxford Guide to English Grammar Oxford: Oxford
4 Halliday, M A K (1985) Spoken and Written English Oxford: Oxford
5 Hewings, M (2004) Advanced Grammar in Use Hà nội: nhà xuất bản trẻ
6 Jacob, R, A (1995) English Syntax Oxford University press
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8 Noelw Schutz, Jr et al Breaking the TOEFL Barrier Prentice hall regents
9 Quirk, Randolph et al (1972) A Grammar of contemporary English Longman group Ltd, Essex
10 Quirk, R & Greenbaum, S (1976) A University Grammar of English :
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12 Palmer, F (1994) Grammar.2 edn Lon Don: Pengiun
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14 Vince, M (1994) English Grammar and Vocabulary Oxford
1 Bửu, H.V (1993) Sentence Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh: Nhà xuất bản Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
2 Chiến, N V (1992) Ngôn Ngữ Đối Chiếu và Đối Chiếu Các Ngôn Ngữ Đông Nam Á HàNội: ĐHSP Ngoại Ngữ
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1 Http: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adverbial_clause
2 Http://www.towson.edu/ows/AdvAdjNomClause.htm2
Type 1: Put each verb in brackets into a suitable tense ( All sentences refer to future time)
1 He bought a Vietnamese-English dictionary and (give)……… it to me
2 The coffee was all right,but the cream (be)……… sour
3 He has a piano and a violin, but he ( not have)………….a flute
4 He says that he (arrive)……… on time tomorrow
5 She says that she (arrive)………… on time yesterday.
Type 2: Rewrite the sentences with the words in the bracket
1 He is very rich , but he isn't happy ( although )
2 She can't answer my question She is very intelligent ( although )
3 He does anything He is always careful (whatever)
4 She says anything I don't balieve her (whatever)
5 He tried He was not successful (although)
Type 3: Translate these sentences into English
1 Trừ phi Tom quay trở về trước 10 giờ, anh ấy sẽ bị phạt
2 Bạn sẽ hoàn thành công việc sớm, trừ phi bạn lười nhác
3 Trong khi cô ta ngồi tán gẩu thì món thịt hầm cháy khét trên lò
4 Mười năm trước đây anh ta sài tiền như triệu phú
5 Hảy bình tỉnh dù cho có chuyện gì sảy ra đi chăng nữa
6 Anh ta sẽ không dừng lại, dù anh ta có gặp bất cứ ai trên đường đi nữa cũng vậy
7 Nếu không có trận bảo thì tôi đã đến sớm hơn rồi
8 Trừ phi anh cho tôi biết sự thật về những việc anh đang làm, tôi sẽ đưa anh đến sở cảnh sát
9 Thậm chí anh ngan cản tôi, Tôi sẽ vẩn đi Singapo
10 Ông ta đã cười cái điều mà tôi đã nói với cô hôm qua
1 The company will refund the money if you change you mind
2 If he fails the final examination, he won't be able to graduate
3 If I had found her address, I would have sent her an invitation.
4 Unlesswe knew her number, we could not phone her
5 Unless you use high quality material, you can't build a good house.
6 If you finish work early, we can play tennis
7 Unless Mr Jones comes to visit us we won't have a party
8 If you tell me what you want I can get it for you
9 Unless you study hard, you won't get a scholarship
10 If he advertises in the newspaper he will sell a lot of goods
1 He isn’t happy althought he is very rick
2 Althought is she very intelligent, She can’t answer my question
3 Whatever he does, he is always careful
4 Whatever he says, he don’t believe her
5 Althought he tried, he was not successful
1 Unless Tom returns before 10:00, he will be punished
2 You will get the job done soon, unless you are lazy
3 While she was sitting and chatting, the stew burned on the stove
4 Ten years ago he used money like a millionaire
5 Stay calm no matter what happens
6 He won't stop, no matter who he encounters on the way
7 If I hadn't had the match, I would have come earlier
8 Unless you tell me the truth about what you're doing, I'll take you to the police station
9 Even if you stop me, I will still go to Singapore
10 He laughed at what I told you yesterday.