285. One action or condition may cause some other action or condition, and when we tell this, we often make such a sentence as the following, “Most caged birds are not happy, because few of them are well cared for.” Here the dependent proposition, because few of them are well cared for is an adverbial clause of cause, for it tells the cause of the fact in the principal clause, or why most caged birds are not happy.

The adverbial clause of cause answers the question why? or how do you know? and is usually joined to the predicate that it modifies by the subordinate conjunction for, because, or since.

286. Sometimes an action is performed in order that some other action or condition may come to pass. We say then that the action is performed for a purpose, and we express this purpose by means of an adverbial clause; as, “Leonardo da Vinci would walk the whole length of Milan that he might alter a single tint in his picture of the Last Supper.” Here the clause that he might alter a single tint in his picture of the Last Supper tells the purpose that the artist had in walking the whole length of Milan. What does this clause modify? What is it introduced by?

A clause of purpose answers the question what for? It is usually joined to the predicate that it modifies by the subordinate conjunction that, so that, or in order that.

287. A clause of purpose tells an intention without saying that this intention ever really comes to pass. But there is another clause which tells what really happens as an outcome of the action or condition in the principal clause. This is called a clause of result; for instance, “So porous is the limestone of the roads that in five minutes after a brisk shower one has no need of overshoes.” Here the principal clause tells us that the roads are porous, and the clause tells us what is the result, or outcome, of their being porous. What is the clause in this sentence? What does it modify? What is it introduced by?

A clause of result answers the question what of it?, and is generally introduced by the subordinate conjunction that.

Summary.—A clause of cause tells what produces a certain act or condition.

A clause of purpose tells the intended consequence of some action.

A clause of result tells the real consequence of some action or condition.

Exercise.—Select the adverbial clauses, classify them, giving your reason in each case, tell what they modify, and what they are joined by. Account for the punctuation.

1. I have explained thus carefully about my Bird Room because I do not approve of keeping wild birds in cages.

2. When Chipee had eaten all she could, she would quietly sit down in the seed dish so that Chip couldn’t get any.

3. Of course this bird could not be set free, for he did not know how to take care of himself.

4. One little nugget of purest gold the surveyor carefully preserved, that it might one day become a wedding ring for the gray-eyed girl in Maine.

5. Had his nerves grown so sensitive that the staring of a chipmunk or a rabbit had power to break his sleep?

6. So strong was Polly’s liking for green peas that the sight of raw peas made her wild till some were given to her.

7. Master Fox said to the Crow, “Sing but one song to me, that I may greet you as the Queen of Birds.”

8. It is very convenient to be a reasonable creature, since it enables you to find or make a reason for everything you have a mind to do.

9. Rebecca left the screen door ajar, so that flies came in.

10. Rolf was called the Goer because he had such long legs that when he mounted one of the little Norwegian horses, his feet touched the ground.

11. Dikes are built that the spread and flow of the water may be regulated, and the land protected from destructive floods.

12. The sun burned down so fiercely that the people were fainting in its rays; it seemed as if they must die of heat, and yet they were obliged to go on with their work, for they were very poor.

13. Then the people ran as only hill folk can run, for they knew that in a landslip you must climb for the highest ground across the valley.

14.

Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,

Lest we forget, lest we forget!

15. I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am there ye may be also.