Languages › English as a Second Language Reducing Adverb Clauses Quiz Learn how to reduce adverb clauses with this quiz Invert the sentence. dane_mark / Getty Images English as a Second Language Grammar Pronunciation & Conversation Vocabulary Writing Skills Reading Comprehension Business English Resources for Teachers By Kenneth Beare Kenneth Beare English as a Second Language (ESL) Expert TESOL Diploma, Trinity College London M.A., Music Performance, Cologne University of Music B.A., Vocal Performance, Eastman School of Music Kenneth Beare is an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher and course developer with over three decades of teaching experience. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on March 06, 2017 1. Before he left on vacation, he finished the project. Before left on vacation, he finished the project. Before leaving on vacation, he finished the project. Before on vacation, he finished the project. Correct Wrong Use the gerund form of the verb and drop the subject with adverb clauses beginning with 'before', 'after', and 'since'. 2. As soon as he bought the house, he moved in and furnished it with beautiful furniture. As soon as buying the house, he moved in and furnished it with beautiful furniture. Upon buying the house, he moved in and furnished it with beautiful furniture. As buying the house, he moved in and furnished it with beautiful furniture. Correct Wrong Replace 'as soon as' with 'upon', drop the subject and use the gerund when reducing adverb time clauses with 'as soon as'. 3. Though he was talented, he didn't get the job. Though was talented, he didn't get the job. Though talented, he didn't get the job. Though talenting, he didn't get the job. Correct Wrong With adverb clauses expressing contrasting ideas with 'though', 'even though', and 'although' drop the verb the subject and the verb 'be'. 4. Since he was late, he started the meeting at 10. Being late, he started the meeting at 10. Since being late, he started the meeting at 10. Since late, he started the meeting at 10. Correct Wrong When using 'since', 'because', and 'as' to give a reason, drop the subject and verb and use the gerund form of the verb. 5. After the teacher arrived, the students sat down at their desks. After the teacher arrived, the students sat down at their desks. - NO CHANGE POSSIBLE After arriving, the students sat down at their desks. After arrived, the students sat down at their desks. Correct Wrong The subject of each clause must be the same in order to reduce an adverb clause. 6. As I was driving, I saw a UFO! As driving, I saw a UFO! Driving, I saw a UFO! As I was driving, I saw a UFO! - NO CHANGE POSSIBLE Correct Wrong When using 'as' to express something that was happening at the same time, drop 'as' the subject and the verb and replace with the gerund form. 7. As the teacher gave a difficult test, he let them use a dictionary. Giving a difficult test, the teacher let them use a dictionary. Given a difficult test, the teacher let them use a dictionary. As the teacher gave a difficult test, he let them use a dictionary. - NO CHANGE POSSIBLE Correct Wrong When using 'since', 'because', and 'as' to give a reason, drop the subject and verb and use the gerund form of the verb. 8. Although the weather was awful, we went on a hike. Although awful, we went on a hike. Although the weather was awful, we went on a hike. - NO CHANGE POSSIBLE Being awful, we went on a hike. Correct Wrong The subject of each clause must be the same in order to reduce an adverb clause. 9. As soon as I understood her question, the boss asked for my opinion. Upon understanding her question, the boss asked for my opinion. As soon as I understood her question, the boss asked for my opinion. - NO CHANGE POSSIBLE On understood the question, the boss asked for my opinion. Correct Wrong The subject of each clause must be the same in order to reduce an adverb clause. 10. Since he didn't want to hurt her feelings, he didn't tell her the truth. Not wanting to hurt her feelings, he didn't tell her the truth. Since not wanting to hurt her feelings, he didn't tell her the truth. Since he didn't want to hurt her feelings, he didn't tell her the truth. - NO CHANGE POSSIBLE Correct Wrong When using 'since', 'because', and 'as' to give a reason, drop the subject and verb and use the gerund form of the verb. 11. After he finished the paper, he went to work. After the paper, he went to work. After finished the paper, he went to work. After he finished the paper, he went to work. - NO CHANGE POSSIBLE Correct Wrong It's possible to use a noun or noun phrase and drop the subject and verb with adverb clauses beginning with 'before', 'after', and 'since'. 12. While I was watching TV, I found out the news. While watching TV, I found out the news. While I was watching TV, I found out the news. - NO CHANGE POSSIBLE I watching TV, I found out the news. Correct Wrong Use the gerund form of the verb and drop the subject with adverb clauses beginning with 'while' meaning 'at the same time'. 13. As he didn't want to interrupt, he let her finish the telephone call. Not wanting to interrupt, he let her finish the telephone call. As he didn't want to interrupt, he let her finish the telephone call. - NO CHANGE POSSIBLE Wanting not interrupt, he let her finish the telephone call. Correct Wrong When using 'since', 'because', and 'as' to give a reason, drop the subject and verb and use the gerund form of the verb. 14. Though it's not a question I can answer, I can give you some advice. Though I can answer, I can give you some advice. Though being not a question, I can give you some advice. Though it's not a question I can answer, I can give you some advice. - NO CHANGE POSSIBLE Correct Wrong The subject of each clause must be the same in order to reduce an adverb clause. 15. As the sun was rising, I put on my clothes and went to work. As sun rising, I put on my clothes and went to work. As rising, I put on my clothes and went to work. As the sun was rising, I put on my clothes and went to work. - NO CHANGE POSSIBLE Correct Wrong The subject of each clause must be the same in order to reduce an adverb clause. Reducing Adverb Clauses Quiz You got: % Correct. You Know Your Adverb Clauses! You know your English!. Andrew Rich / Vetta / Getty Images Congratulations! You understand reducing adverb clauses which has quite a few rules. Good work. Keep learning English, you're well on your way to being fluent. Share Your Results Reducing Adverb Clauses Quiz You got: % Correct. Good Try, Adverb Clause Reduction is Hard! You've done well on your lessons. Anton Violin / Moment / Getty Images Good job because this is a difficult quiz. Make sure to study the various rules for reducing adverbs. Only certain types of adverb clauses reduce. Rules also change depending on the purpose of the adverb clause. Share Your Results Reducing Adverb Clauses Quiz You got: % Correct. Keep Studying Adverb Clauses Keep working on your studies.. Frank and Helena / Cultura / Getty Images Adverb clause reduction is difficult, so don't worry about your result. Just study how to reduce adverb clauses, as well as how to reduce relative clauses. Share Your Results