353. Adverb clauses expressing cause or reason. These will answer the question why. They are introduced by such subordinate conjunctions as, because, for, since, as, whereas, inasmuch as, etc.
Note the difference in the meaning of the following sentences expressed by the use of different conjunctions:
- I will come because you expect me.
- I will come since you expect me.
- I will come as you expect me.
- I will come for you expect me.
- I will come inasmuch as you expect me.
354. Adverb clauses of manner. These clauses will answer the question how, and are introduced by such subordinate conjunctions as, as, as if, as though, etc.
- Study as though you were in earnest.
- Come as if you had been called.
- Do as I say, not as I do.
In these clauses of manner, introduced by as if, and as though, were is used in the present form with either singular or plural subjects. For example:
- He writes as if he were informed of the facts.
- They talk as though they were confident of success.
- You act as though I were your slave.
355. Adverb clauses of comparison. These clauses are introduced by the subordinate conjunctions than and as. The verbs are often omitted in these dependent clauses introduced by than and as. For example: He is taller than I. The complete sentence would be: He is taller than I am. He is not so tall as I. Here the sentence would be: He is not so tall as I am.
When the pronoun occurs in these dependent clauses, be sure to use the proper form of the pronoun. It may be the subject or the object of the verb which is not expressed. For example; it is incorrect to say: I am not so tall as him. The correct form is: I am not so tall as he. The complete sentence would be: I am not so tall as he is, and the pronoun should be in the subject form, for it is the subject of the verb is, which is understood and omitted.
The use of the subject or of the object form may make a difference in the meaning of your sentence. For example, you say: I admire them as much as he. You mean that you admire them as much as he admires them. But if you say, I admire them as much as him, you mean that you admire them as much as you admire him. Quite a different meaning!