Adverbial Clause Commas

By now, as a 4-star author, you should have a strong grasp on coordinating conjunctions and how to punctuate sentences that contain them. However, the subordinating conjunction is trickier. If you struggle with adverbial clauses, you probably have received this feedback from our editors:

[“*” is a subordinating conjunction and begins an adverbial clause. An adverbial clause is not set off by a comma when it is at the end of a sentence. If it is placed at the beginning, it is then an introductory clause, so a comma comes after it. If it is placed within the sentence as a nonessential/nonrestrictive clause, it is surrounded by commas on both sides.]

Here is a list of the most common subordinating conjunctions: after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, if only, rather than, in order to, since, though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever, whether, while, where, whereas, wherever, and regardless.

Save this list, and have it close by while you are writing or proofreading. When you see one of these words, double check to make sure you are punctuating the sentence correctly. Please note, however, that this is not an exhaustive list. Some words can also act like subordinating conjunctions; one example is the word “with”.

One simple test for adverbial clauses is to move it around the sentence to see if it still makes sense. As an example, here’s a set of sentences that are all correct:

• “Once you have mastered the adverbial clause, you will be one step closer to 5-star status.”

• “You will, once you have mastered the adverbial clause, be one step closer to 5-star status.”

• “You will be one step closer to 5-star status once you have mastered the adverbial clause.”

With that last sentence, we see a lot of authors who want to use a comma before “once” — or whatever subordinating conjunction they happen to be using. Please avoid using this comma as it is incorrect, and it is something we look for during your evaluations. Another common error we see with adverbial clauses is omitting one of the commas when offsetting the clause in the middle of a sentence.

Incorrect example:

The editor said that if I punctuate my sentence like this, it is incorrect.

Correct example:

However, the editor said that, if I punctuate the sentence like this, it will be correct.

After you have reviewed this information, please take our adverbial clause quiz.