REDUCED ADVERB CLAUSES 1

B2–C1 · Advanced

Useful for:✓ Cambridge B2/C1

Some adverb clauses can be shortened when their understood subject is the same as the subject of the main clause. Choose reduced forms that preserve the original time relationship and meaning.

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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