REDUCED ADVERB CLAUSES 1

level: Intermediate/Advanced (B2/C1)

1. They played basketball for two hours. Later, they went home.
________________ for two hours, they went home.

After playing basketball While playing basketball Playing basketball

Correct answer: After playing basketball — after + gerund replaces a full after-clause when subjects are the same.

2. I was reading your essay. I noticed a lot of mistakes.
________________, I noticed a lot of mistakes.

Not reading your essay Before reading your essay While reading your essay

Correct answer: While reading your essay — while + gerund = simultaneous action — I was reading and noticed.

3. I didn't want to miss my flight. I set my alarm clock for 6:00 AM.
________________, I set my alarm clock for 6:00 AM.

Not wanting to miss my flight While not wanting to miss my flight Before not wanting to miss my flight

Correct answer: Not wanting to miss my flight — negated gerund phrase — add not before the gerund to negate the reduced clause.

4. You came here. Before that, you were sad.
________________, you were sad.

After coming here Before coming here While coming here

Correct answer: Before coming here — before + gerund replaces a full before-clause when the subject is the same.

5. I was waiting for the bus. I saw a cat.
________________, I saw a cat.

Waiting for the bus Before waiting for the bus Since waiting for the bus

Correct answer: Waiting for the bus — a present participle alone can replace a while-clause for simultaneous actions.

6. She returned from work. She noticed that the front door was open.
________________, she noticed that the front door was open.

Before returning from work Upon returning from work While returning from work

Correct answer: Upon returning from work — upon + gerund = immediately after — she noticed the door as soon as she arrived.

7. She was returning from work. She got stuck in traffic.
________________, she got stuck in traffic.

While returning from work After returning from work Before returning from work

Correct answer: While returning from work — while + gerund = during — she was on her way back when she got stuck.

8. I moved here. I met many great people (after I moved here).
________________, I have met many great people.

While moving here Since moving here Before moving here,

Correct answer: Since moving here — since + gerund marks a starting point in the past continuing to now.

9. He is a perfectionist. He noticed all the flaws.
________________, he noticed all the flaws.

While being a perfectionist Since being a perfectionist Being a perfectionist

Correct answer: Being a perfectionist — a present participle clause can express a reason — because he is a perfectionist.

10. He finished his homework. Then he started to play video games.
He started to play video games ________________.

after finishing his homework while finishing his homework finishing his homework

Correct answer: after finishing his homework — after + gerund in lowercase when embedded mid-sentence.

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