An adverb clause of manner describes how something happens or in what manner an event happened or will happen. An adverb clause of manner is introduced and linked with the main clause by the conjunctions as, as if, as though, how, and however.
Example
The girl laughed as if she were mad.
(The adverb clause of manner describes how the girl laughed, and it is introduced by the conjunction as if. “she” is the subject, and “were mad” is the predicate.)
Examples of Adverb Clauses of Manner
The conjunctions as if and as though go after verbs such as behave, appear, be, act, seem, sound, look, smell, feel, etc. Most adverb clauses of manner introduced by the conjunctions as if and as though talk about a present unreal situation.
Examples
- He looks as though he is a teacher. (He may be a teacher)
- She looked as if I had hurt her feeling.
- The man speaks to us as if he was the owner.
- The family seemed as though they had lost something special.
- The baby boy sounded as though he was crying at the time.
- They walked past as if they hadn’t seen us.
- The students are acting as the teacher teaches them.
- You may manage how you like.
- They did as I guided them.
- The boy runs as though he were a horse.
- I did it as I was advised.
- She’ll do it however she likes.
- He acts like/as if it is a joke.
(as if/as though can be replaced with ‘like.’)
- She sings like she is professional.
- The noise sounded as if the students’ next hostel were having a birthday party.
Clause of Manner vs. Phrase of Manner
Both adverb clause of manner and adverb phrase of manner consists of a group of words that function similarly as an adverb in a sentence. But what is the difference between them? Look at the following examples to see the clear difference between them.
- Adverb Phrase of Manner: The boy ran like a lion. (The phrase shows how the boy ran. It does not have its own subject and verb)
- Adverb Clause of Manner: The boy ran as if he were a lion. (The phrase also shows how the boy ran. But it has a subject and a verb)
- Adverb Phrase of Manner: He should complete all the steps in accordance with the given instructions.
- Adverb Clause of Manner: He should complete all the steps as he is instructed.
- Adverb Phrase of Manner: He jumps like a soldier.
- Adverb Clause of Manner: He jumps as a soldier does.
- Adverb Phrase of Manner: We will help you with all our heart.
- Clause of Manner: We will help you as willingly as we can.
