Question

Which of the following sentences contain an adverb clause?

Answer 1

The correct answer is:  [A]:  
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                   "People will not get ahead if they do not study." 
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Explanation:
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Note that one (1) feature of an "adverb clause" is that an "adverb clause" must begin with a "subordinating conjunction".
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The only answer choices provided that meet this criterion are:
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 Choice:  [A]:  "People will not get ahead if they do not study." 

 In this sentence, there is a "subordinating conjunction"— which is—" if ".
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Choice:  [C]:  " Because of the defensive driving lessons, I am probably a better driving today ".

In this sentence, there is a "subordinating conjunction"
— which is—"Because" .
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Note the other criteria for "adverb clauses" — as follows:
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1)  Adverb clauses are "modifiers". 

2)  Adverb clauses contain both a subject AND a verb.

3)  Adverb clauses, on their own, do not form complete sentences.
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Consider:  Choice:  [C]:  
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         "Because of the defensive driving lessons, I am probably a better driving today."
 
     →  Note:  Since the particular clause beings with the "subordinating conjunction—"Because" (in this case) — consider the phrase:
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    "Because of the defense driving lessons" ; 

→  This is NOT an "adverb clause".  An "adverb clause" must contain BOTH  a "noun" AND a "verb"— and this particular clause does NOT contain a "verb".

Rule out "Choice: [C] " .
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Consider:
 
"Choice:  [A]:  "People will not get ahead if they do not study." 

   →  Note:  Since the particular clause beings with the "subordinating conjunction"—" if " (in this case) — consider the phrase:
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     " if they do not study ." 
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→  Note the following:
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      1)  This clause contains BOTH a "noun" —which is:  "they" (a subject pronoun referring to "people");  AND a "verb" —which is: "do [not] study" .

      2)  This clause modifies "people" . 
 
      3)  This clause is a NOT a sentence if it stands alone.
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Thus;  this very answer choice:  "Answer choice:  [A]:
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       →    "People will not get ahead if they do not study." 
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               →  is the only sentence — 
                     (among the answer choices provided) — 
                     that:   1)   is an "adverb clause" ; AND:               
                     that:   2)    is the correct answer.
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