Adverb Clauses of Opposition
Adverb clauses of opposition tell why something is unexpected.
Adverb clauses of opposition usually start with these subordinate conjunctions:
although
even though
Read and study these example sentences. Adverb clauses of opposition can occur before or after
the main clause of a sentence.
Example sentences with ALTHOUGH --
1. Although John’s car was damaged in a serious accident, he was not injured.
Think – There was an awful accident. John’s car was damaged. Was John injured? What did
we expect would happen?
2. Although Mary graduated with a BS in chemistry, she is working as a server in a
restaurant.
Think – Mary graduated from college with a BS degree in chemistry. Did she find a job in a
chemistry lab? Where is she working? Was this expected?
3. Anna Smith has started college although she is only 16 years old.
Think – Anna is in college. She is not in high school. Are people usually in college at 16?
4. George Baker was unable to pass his calculus course although he studied a lot every day.
Think – George worked hard every day trying to learn calculus. Was he successful?
We can write these same sentences with EVEN THOUGH -- The meaning doesn’t change.
1. Even though John’s car was damaged in a serious accident, he was not injured.
Think – There was an awful accident. John’s car was damaged. Was John injured? What did
we expect would happen?
2. Even though Mary graduated with a BS in chemistry, she is working as a server in a
restaurant.
Think – Mary graduated from college with a BS degree in chemistry. Did she find a job in a
chemistry lab? Where is she working? Was this expected?
3. Anna Smith has started college even though she is only 16 years old.
Think – Anna is in college. She is not in high school. Are people usually in college at 16?
4. George Baker was unable to pass his calculus course even though he studied a lot every
day.
Think – George worked hard every day trying to learn calculus. Was he successful?
Practice 1: Although (Even though) Adverb Clauses
(Use these after Rosewood, part 4)
Directions:
Tell what part (A or B) is unexpected.
Combine the two short sentences with although. Add although at the beginning of your
sentence or between the two clauses, and add a comma if necessary. Use a pronoun for
repeated subjects or objects in the second clause.
EXAMPLE: A. Jerry and Joan did not pass this course. B. Jerry and Joan studied every day.
What was unexpected?
ANSWER: What is unexpected = A
Jerry and Joan did not pass the course although they
studied every day.
1. A. Mr. Mann was willing to risk his life. B. Mr. Mann knew the white mob was hunting for him.
What is unexpected = ____
___________________________________________________________________________
2. A. Scrappie told the children to stay in the woods. B. The children went to town because the
church bells were ringing. What is unexpected = ____
___________________________________________________________________________
3. A. Jewel refused to stay in Mr. Wright’s house. B. Mr. Wright agreed to hide Jewel and
Jewel’s parents in his house. What is unexpected = ____
___________________________________________________________________________
4. A. Sheriff Ellis should be trying to stop the white mob. B. Sheriff Ellis was helping the white
mob kill black people. What is unexpected = ____
___________________________________________________________________________
5. A. Mr. Wright gave some bullets to Mr. Mann. B. Mr. Mann threatened Mr. Wright with a
gun. Unexpected = ____
___________________________________________________________________________
6. A. The children and young women were freezing and had no food. B. The children and the
young women stayed in the woods. What is unexpected = ____
___________________________________________________________________________
7. A. The Seaboard train conductors agreed to let the women and children travel on the train.
B. The Seaboard train conductors received no money. What is unexpected = ____
___________________________________________________________________________
[Answers]
