Fronted adverbials: phrases and clauses | Exit Quiz | Oak National Academy

Match each word to its meaning.

• word

• a group of words with no verb

• phrase

• a group of words that contains a verb

• clause

• a single word

Answer explanation

We can use words, phrases and clauses as fronted adverbials. Each of them would be followed by a comma.

Which of these are true for a fronted adverbial clause?

• It starts with a subordinating conjunction.

• It comes at the start of a sentence.

• It it followed by a comma.

• It makes complete sense on its own.

• It contains a verb.

Answer explanation

An adverbial clause is a type of subordinate clause that begins with a subordinating conjunction. When we place one at the start of a sentence, we can call it a fronted adverbial clause.

Which of the following are fronted adverbial clauses?

• Just then,

• When it was time to go,

• To my left,

• While we were waiting,

Answer explanation

'Just then' and 'To my left' are fronted adverbial phrases because they do not contain a verb and they do not begin with a subordinating conjunction.

After which word should the comma be placed in this sentence? After we had finished we were allowed outside to play.

• had

• finished

• were

• outside

Answer explanation

The fronted adverbial clause 'After we had finished' is followed by a comma because the rest of the sentence - 'we were allowed outside to play' - could be a complete sentence on its own.

What kind of fronted adverbial has been used in this sentence? While I was listening, Alex tried to distract me.

• fronted adverbial of time

• fronted adverbial of place

• fronted adverbial of manner

Answer explanation

Most subordinating conjunctions we know so far create fronted adverbials clauses of time. This shows us more detail about when Alex was distracting us.

What mistake has been made in this sentence with a fronted adverbial clause? When the summer was over we returned to school.

• The fronted adverbial clause does not contain a verb.

• The fronted adverbial clause does not contain a subordinating conjunction.

• The fronted adverbial clause is not followed by a comma.

Answer explanation

The fronted adverbial clause is always followed by a comma. The section after the comma should make complete sense alone.