Adverbial clauses can be reduced to phrases when the subject of the clause is the same as the subject of the main clause. This makes writing more concise.
The Basic Rule
If the subject is the same in both clauses, you can:
- Remove the conjunction
- Remove the subject
- Change the verb to the -ing form (or past participle for passive)
Time Clauses (While, When, After, Before)
Full clause: While she was walking home, she saw an accident. Reduced: While walking home, she saw an accident.
Full clause: After he finished his work, he went home. Reduced: After finishing his work, he went home.
Full clause: Before I go to bed, I brush my teeth. Reduced: Before going to bed, I brush my teeth.
Some time conjunctions can be dropped entirely:
- While she was working → While working
- When you are ready → When ready
- After it is cooked → After cooked
Reason Clauses (Because, Since)
Full clause: Because she was tired, she went to bed. Reduced: Being tired, she went to bed. / Tired, she went to bed.
Full clause: Since he was late, he missed the bus. Reduced: Being late, he missed the bus. / Late, he missed the bus.
Concession Clauses (Although, Though)
Full clause: Although he was injured, he continued playing. Reduced: Although injured, he continued playing.
Full clause: Though she was exhausted, she kept working. Reduced: Though exhausted, she kept working.
Passive Reductions
Full clause: When it is cooked properly, the dish is delicious. Reduced: When cooked properly, the dish is delicious.
Full clause: Although he was warned about the danger, he proceeded. Reduced: Although warned about the danger, he proceeded.
When Reduction Is NOT Possible
Reduction is not possible when the subjects are different.
- While I was cooking, the phone rang. (different subjects — cannot reduce)
- When she arrives, I will tell her. (different subjects — cannot reduce)
Summary Table
| Full Clause | Reduced Phrase | | ------------------------------ | ------------------------- | | While she was walking... | While walking... | | After he finished... | After finishing... | | Because I was tired... | Being tired... / Tired... | | Although he was injured... | Although injured... | | When it is cooked... | When cooked... |