Plain English Part 77

+354.+ +Adverb clauses of manner.+ These clauses will answer the question _how_, and are introduced by such subordinate conjunctions as, _as_, _as if_, _as though_, etc.

Study _as though_ you were in earnest.

Come _as if_ you had been called.

Do _as_ I say, not _as_ I do.

In these clauses of _manner_, introduced by _as if_, and _as though_, _were_ is used in the present form with either singular or plural subjects. For example:

He writes as if he _were_ informed of the facts.

They talk as though they _were_ confident of success.

You act as though I _were_ your slave.

+355.+ +Adverb clauses of comparison.+ These clauses are introduced by the subordinate conjunctions _than_ and _as_. The verbs are often omitted in these dependent clauses introduced by _than_ and _as_. For example: _He is taller than I_. The complete sentence would be: _He is taller than I am_. _He is not so tall as I._ Here the sentence would be: _He is not so tall as I am_.

When the p.r.o.noun occurs in these dependent clauses, be sure to use the proper form of the p.r.o.noun. It may be the subject or the object of the verb which is not expressed. For example; it is incorrect to say: _I am not so tall as him_. The correct form is: _I am not so tall as he_. The complete sentence would be: _I am not so tall as he is_, and the p.r.o.noun should be in the subject form, for it is the subject of the verb _is_, which is understood and omitted.

The use of the _subject_ or of the _object_ form may make a difference in the meaning of your sentence. For example, you say: _I admire them as much as he_. You mean that you admire them as much as he admires them.

But if you say, _I admire them as much as him_, you mean that you admire them as much as you admire him. Quite a different meaning!

Be careful in the use of your p.r.o.nouns in this way, for you can express quite a different meaning. For example, if you say, _I care more for you than he_, you mean, I care more for you than he cares for you. But if you say, _I care more for you than him_, you mean, I care more for you than I care for him. A mistake like this might mean a great deal to you some time, if the one to whom you had been speaking had been studying a course in Plain English!

+356.+ +Adverb clauses of condition.+ These clauses are introduced by such conjunctions as, _if_, _provided_, _supposing_, _unless_, _except_, _otherwise_, _though_, _notwithstanding_, _albeit_, and _whether_. For example:

I will come _if_ you need me.

I will come _provided_ you need me.

I will go _notwithstanding_ you need me.

I will not go _unless_ I am called.

He will not go _except_ he is called.

He will not go _though_ he is called.

He came, _otherwise_ I would go.

He will go _whether_ you go or stay.

When subordinate clauses beginning with _if_, _though_ or _unless_ are joined to clauses containing _might_, _could_, _would_ or _should_, the verb _were_ is sometimes used with a singular subject, in such sentences as:

If this _were_ true, I should know it.

Unless I _were_ positive, I would not say so.

Though our leader _were_ lost, yet we would not despair.

If he _were_ here, he would explain it himself.

If I _were_ with you, I might make you understand.

Sometimes in sentences like these, _if_ is omitted in the clause, and the verb placed first. For example:

_Were_ he here, he would deny these slanders.

_Were_ he truly cla.s.s-conscious, he would oppose this war.

_Were_ this fact known, the people would never submit.

These clauses express something which is uncertain, or which is to be decided in the future; a supposition contrary to a fact or a wish.

Occasionally you will find the verb _be_ used instead of _is_, in clauses of this kind introduced by _if_, _though_, _unless_, _except_, _lest_, etc. For example:

If it _be_ true, I will hear it.

Though he _be_ guilty, we will not desert him.

In subordinate clauses connected by _if_, _unless_, etc., with a princ.i.p.al clause which expresses future time, the present form of the verb is used in the subordinate clause. For example:

If they are willing, we will join them.

Unless he comes, I shall not leave.

If it rains, we will not go.

+357.+ +Adverb clauses expressing purpose.+ These are introduced by such subordinate conjunctions as, _that_, _in order that_ and _lest_. For example:

Take good care _that_ you understand this lesson.

I will go today _in order that_ I may meet him.

Watch these carefully _lest_ they be stolen.

Read the labor press _that_ you may know the truth.

Notice that _that_, when used in this way, as a pure conjunction, means _in order that_. For example, the sentence above might read:

Read the labor press _in order that_ you may know the truth.

+358.+ +Adverb clauses expressing result.+ These are introduced by the subordinate conjunction _that_, as for example:

They were so late _that_ I could not go.

SUMMARY

+359.+ We have then adverb clauses introduced by subordinate conjunctions expressing:

1. +Time.+ Answer the question _when_.

2. +Place.+ Answer the question _where_.

3. +Cause or reason.+ Answer the question _why_.

4. +Manner.+ Answer the question _how_.

5. +Comparison.+ Used to compare.

6. +Condition.+ Answer the question _on what condition_.

7. +Purpose.+ Answer the question _for what purpose_.

8. +Result.+ Answer the question _to what result_.

Exercise 1

In the following sentences, mark the conjunctions and tell to what cla.s.s they belong; ask the question _when_, _where_, _why_, _how_, _on what condition_, _for what purpose_, _to what result_. Underscore the subordinate clauses. The subjects of the subordinate clauses are printed in italics.

1. Speech was developed that _we_ might be able to communicate with one another.

2. The International failed in the crisis because _it_ had no definite war program.

3. We will fail if _we_ have no definite program.

4. If _labor_ were united, we could destroy wage slavery.

5. When the _people_ understand, they will no longer submit.

6. Labor cannot win until _it_ learns solidarity.

7. After the terrible _war_ is over, the workers in all countries may come closer together.

8. We are convinced of the folly of nationalism since the _war_ has been declared.