Adverb Clause Reductions with “Because”
In some situations, a reduction can be made with the conjunction “because”. This can only be done when the adverb clause describes a situation – it cannot be made when the adverb clause describes an action.
When making the reduction, remove the conjunction and subject and always change the verb into the gerund, When the verb is negative, begin with “not” and then the gerund.
Look at these examples.
Because he wanted to expand his personal power, Lenin joined the communist party.
Wanting to expand his personal power, Lenin joined the communist party,
Because he didn’t warn to give up power, Stalin had many people killed,
Not wanting to give up power; Stalin had many people killed.
In these sentences a reduction is impossible, because the subordinate clause introduces an action, not a situation:
Because Lenin traveled in Germany, he spoke German.
Because Stalin controlled the membership, he only allowed people who thought like him.
Pattern to look for:
When a sentence begins with a gerund, look for a comma and then determine what the main subject is.
Exercise
In the following sentences, write adverb clause reductions where possible.
- Because many people did not support the tsar, they joined the communists.
- Because they hated the tear, many people joined Lenin,
- Because they did not expect a serious threat, the Imperial army wasn’t ready.
- Because he didn’t end the war, Kerensky lost a lot of support among the population
- Because he had experience, Stalin was a good thief.
- Because he wanted complete control, Stalin killed many communist party members.
- Because he was afraid of him, Stalin had Trotsky killed.
- Becausc he knew what revolutionaries can do, Lenin immediately established a secret police to stop any more revolutions.
- Because they didn’t like communism, no western country supported Lenin.
- Because the opposition was not centralized, it could not withstand the Bolsheviks for long.
See more Negative and “Almost Negative” Adverbs – Building Grammar Skills