Microsoft Word Theoretical Course of English Grammar

Nino Kirvalidze
81
event described by an adverbial clause of attendant circumstances is presented as some sort of 
background in relation to the event denoted by the main clause. Clauses of attendant circums-
tances are introduced by the subordinating conjunctions 
while
and 
as
which express simultane-
ity of the events described in the complex sentence. For example: 
“
As (while) the reception was going on
, Mr. Brown talked to his business partners.” 
“
As (while) Mother was making supper in the kitchen
, I did all my lessons.” 
It should be noted that a subordinate clause introduced by the conjunction 
while
may some-
times express contrast rather than simultaneity of actions, even when it precedes the main clause. In 
such cases, we have to deal with an adverbial clause of contrast. Cf.: 
“He wears fine clothes 
while I go in rags
.”
“
While I am weak from hunger
he suffers from overfeeding.” 
Conditional adverbial clauses show whether the speaker or the writer thinks that either 
the stated condition is possible (real) at present, or it is hypothetical, i.e. unreal at present or 
unreal in the past, therefore for ever. Accordingly, grammarians speak about three subtypes of 
conditional clauses: real, unreal at present and unreal for ever.
Conditional clauses are mainly introduced by two subordinating conjunctions 
if
and 
un-
less
(= 
if not
). Less frequently they may be introduced by other words and phrases such as: 
in 
case (that), on condition (that), provided (that), supposing (that), whether or not, so/as long as, 
etc.
1.
Real conditional clauses, which are known as open conditional clauses, don’t say 
whether or not the condition is fulfilled, but they imply that the condition is possible 
or real.
“Read the paper 
if you don’t believe me
!” 
“We won’t go to the party 
unless you feel we have to
.” 
“
In case our team wins
, it will be the new champion.” 
“
So long as he doesn’t bother me
, I will not bother him.” 
“
Whether or not it rains
, the game will be played as scheduled.” 
2.
In the second subtype of conditional clauses, which is called hypothetical 1, the speak-
er thinks that the condition isn’t fulfilled as it is unreal (contrary-to-fact) at present, 
and unlikely to happen in the future:

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Theoretical Course of English Grammar 
Script by prof.