Honing Your Production Skills by Using the Power of Modifying Adverbial Phrases

Unlocking the mysteries and nuances of a new language can be quite the adventure, even more so with English, which is packed with complex grammatical structures. A cornerstone of this complexity lies in modifying adverbial phrases.

 

Background of Modifying Adverbial Phrases in English Language

But what is a modifying adverbial phrase? Modifying adverbial phrases are groups of words that operate as an adverb. They modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to provide more detail about when, where, and how something happened. They can be located anywhere in a sentence and punctuate our discourse with additional information that enhances our communication skills.

To illustrate, here are a few examples of modifying adverbial phrases:
* In the sentence: “Before having breakfast, I always take a shower”, ‘before having breakfast’’ is the modifying adverbial phrase, telling us what I do before I take a shower.
* In the sentence: “While sitting in the office, Jack fell asleep.”, ‘while sleeping in the office’ is the modifying adverbial phrase, telling us when Jack fell asleep.

Modifying adverbial phrases are integral to the English language’s structure. They impart  vibrancy and depth to our sentences, allowing us to express thoughts in a more detailed, descriptive manner.

Understanding Modifying Adverbial Phrases

Let’s start with the basics and then gradually go deep, over time, you will notice that these complicated modifying adverbial phrases are simpler than they seem.

Definition of Modifying Adverbial Phrases

In the simplest terms, a modifying adverbial phrase is a group of words that functions as an adverb within a sentence. Most commonly, they answer questions such as: how, where, when, how much, and under what condition, adding additional color and detail to your sentences.

Take, for example, the sentence, “Since living here, I have met a lot of new people.” In this case, “since living here” is the modifying adverbial phrase that tells us when I have met a lot of people. Another example could be, “While dancing, James was singing his favorite song.” Here, “while  dancing” functions as a modifying adverbial phrase, telling us when James was singing his favorite song. 

Importance of Adverbial Phrases in English Grammar

Now, you might wonder, why are adverbial phrases so crucial in English grammar? The answer lies in their utility. These phrases enrich a sentence by offering extra information and optional expressions about some of the adverb clauses, making your discourse more vivid and precise.

Without modifying adverbial phrases, a sentence can become quite repetitive. Imagine saying, “After I had finished my homework, I had dinner.” Now compare that with “After finishing my homework, I had dinner.” It is obvious how the use of the modifying adverbial phrase “After finishing my homework” avoids word repetition, adds variety to the sentence structure, and adds creativity to the sentence.

Learning to use these modifying adverbial phrases effectively can enhance your writing and conversation skills in English. Remember, the more detailed your sentences are, the more engaging your communication will be. So, pack your linguistic toolkit with a variety of Modifying Adverbial Phrases to spice up your English!

Types of Modifying Adverbial Phrases

Modifying Adverbial phrases in English come in several different types, and understanding these types can help us better understand how to use them in our conversations and writing. Generally, there are four types of modifying adverbial phrases. Let’s go through each type in detail with examples.

A Modifying Adverbial Phrase that Replaces Adverb Clause of Time

This Adverbial phrase explains when something is happening and can be used to replace the adverb clause of time.  For instance, “Before eating, I always wash my hands.” Here, “Before eating” is a modifying adverbial phrase of time, and it can replace the adverb clause of time, “Before I eat”.

Examples of Modifying Adverbial Phrases of Time

See the following modifying adverbial phrases and the adverb clauses that they replace:

 

No	Modifying Adverbial Phrases	Adverb Clauses
1	Since living in Jakarta, I can communicate with local people using Bahasa Indonesia.	Since I live in Jakarta, I can communicate with local people using Bahasa Indonesia.
2	After working, I went to the swimming pool.	After I worked, I went to the swimming pool.
3	Before going to the gym, I had a glass of milk.	Before I went  to the gym, I had a glass of milk.
4	While cooking, I was listening to music last night.	While I was cooking, I was listening to music last night.
5	Walking down the street, I saw my ex-girlfriend.	While/when  I was walking down the street, I saw my ex-girlfriend.

 

A Modifying Adverbial Phrase that Replaces Adverb Clause of Cause and Effect

This Adverbial phrase explains why something is happening and can be used to replace the adverb clause of cause and effect.  For instance, “Being hungry, I had a big lunch yesterday.” Here, “Being hungry” is a modifying adverbial phrase of cause and effect, and it can replace the adverb clause of cause and effect, “Because I was hungry”.

Examples of Modifying Adverbial Phrases of Cause and Effect

Check out the following modifying adverbial phrases and the adverb clauses that they replace:

No  Modifying Adverbial Phrases         Adverb Clauses

No.	Modifying Adverbial Phrase	Adverb Clause of Cause and Effect
1	Needing extra money, I often work overtime.	Because I need extra money, I often work overtime.
2	Lacking the necessary skills, I earn an extremely low wages.	Because I lack the necessary skills, I earn an extremely low wages.
3	Having taken a shower, I feel reenergized.	Because I have taken a shower, I feel reenergized now.
4	Being worried, she was not able to do the test well.	Because she was worried, she was not able to do the test well.
5	Worried, she was not able to do the test well.	Because she was worried, she was not able to do the test well.

 

A Modifying Adverbial Phrase that Begins with “Upon + -Ing”

This Adverbial phrase explains when something is happening and can be used to replace the adverb clause of time.  For instance, “Upon seeing the dog, my wife was trembling yesterday.” Here, “Upon seeing the dog” is a modifying adverbial phrase, and it can replace the adverb clause of time, “When my wife saw a dog”. “Upon + -ing” can be shortened to “On + -ing”. Therefore, we can also say, “On seeing the dog, my wife was trembling yesterday.”

Examples of Modifying Adverbial Phrases that Begin with “Upon + -ing”

Check out the following modifying adverbial phrases and the adverb clauses that they replace:

 

No.	Modifying Adverbial Phrase	Adverb Clause of Time
1	Upon reaching the age of 21, I met my father for the first time in my life.	When I reached the age of 21, I met my father for the first time in my life.
2	Upon meeting the president, She looked jovial.	When she met the president, She looked jovial.
3	Upon making the payment, the student felt released.	When the student made the payment, he felt released.
4	On getting on the bus, she tapped her e-money card onto the scanner.	When she got on the bus, she tapped her e-money card onto the scanner.
5	On passing the exam, they burst into a frenzy of excitement.	When they passed the exam, they burst into a frenzy of excitement.

 

Role of Adverbial Phrases in Sentence Construction

Modifying adverbial phrases play an integral role in sentence construction in the English language. Their primary purpose is to add more variety to sentence structures, to give optional structure, to avoid repetitions, and to use the language more efficiently. Hence, they can transform flat sentences into expressive and meaningful discourse.

Learning Techniques for Mastering Adverbial Phrases

The art of mastering the modifying adverbial phrases isn’t a stratospheric task, but it does require consistent and insightful practice. To help, we’ve gathered a few strategies and tips to guide your learning journey.

Strategies for Understanding and Learning Adverbial Phrases

To start, comprehension is vital. Without first understanding what an adverbial phrase is and how it functions, applying it correctly in sentences can be challenging. Here are a few strategies to aid understanding:

– Contextual Learning: This involves identifying adverbial phrases within various texts – articles, books, magazines, or online content. Keep an eye out for adverbial phrases in context and observe how they’re used to modify adverb clauses.
– Practice Writing: Another fantastic strategy is to construct sentences with modifying adverbial phrases. The more you write, the better you become. Write descriptive narratives, essays, or emails and emphasize the use of modifying adverbial phrases.
– Audio-visual Learning: Engage with educational videos and podcasts that focus on grammar and particularly the modifying adverbial phrases. This sensory method can benefit auditory and visual learners immensely.

 

Summary

The journey to mastering adverbial phrases, and English grammar as a whole, is one of persistent exploration, practice, and refinement. Fear not — any initial confusion will steadily decline as you familiarize yourself with various examples and create your own sentences employing adverbial phrases.

Practice, they say, makes perfect. Persist in reading widely, writing often, and consciously applying modifying adverbial phrases in your conversation. Over time, your usage of these phrases will move from intentional to instinctual, as they naturally weave their way into your day-to-day language.

Remember — language learning is not a race, but a fascinating and fulfilling journey. Keep going, stay committed to your language learning goals, and soon, using adverbial phrases will be second nature to you. You’ve got this! Buckle up and enjoy the ride to grammatical excellence.

 

Modifying Adverbial Phrases Exercise

Exercise I

Change the adverb clause in each sentence into a modifying adverbial phrase.

1. After he begged for money, the old man walked across the busy street. 
2. Before Ann had dinner, she finished her homework. 
3. After the baby had dinner, she slept through the night. 
4. When everybody fell asleep, the thief snuck into the house. 
5. When John dangerously closed to the edge, he looked down nervously. 
6. After they checked if everything was ready, the surgeon performed the delicate operation. 
7. When the weather was fine, the plane flew extremely high in the sky. 
8. When the governor came to the airport, he said hello to everyone. 
9. After I found out I lost my car, I called the police.
10.  Since they live in the country, they can enjoy fresh air around them.

 

Answer

Exercise I

 

1. Begging for money, the old man walked across the busy street. 
2. Before having dinner, she finished her homework. 
3. After having dinner, the baby slept through the night. 
4. When everybody fell asleep, the thief snuck into the house. 
5. Dangerously closing to the edge, John looked down nervously. 
6. After checking if everything was ready, the surgeon performed the delicate operation. 
7. When the weather was fine, the plane flew extremely high in the sky. 
8. Upon coming to the airport, the governor said hello to everyone. 
9. Finding out I lost my car, I called the police.
10.  Since living in the country, they can enjoy fresh air around them.