The warrior jumps on an enemy, swinging an ax.

So is it a nonessential phrase? or a present participle phrase that acts as an adverb?

1. A Present Participle Phrase Acting as an Adverb
It modifies the verb “jumps” by describing how the warrior jumps (adverb of manner).

Answers: “How does the warrior jump?” → While swinging an ax.

Structurally, it’s a participial phrase headed by the present participle (“swinging”).

2. A Nonessential Phrase
It’s optional (the sentence works without it: “The warrior jumps on an enemy.”).

It’s set off by a comma, which signals it’s nonrestrictive (adds extra detail but isn’t required for grammar or core meaning).

Why It’s Both
Grammatical function: Adverbial (modifies the verb).

Punctuation/status: Nonessential (removable without breaking the sentence).

Compare to Essential (Restrictive) Participial Phrases
If the phrase were essential, it would define the subject and lack commas:

“The warrior swinging an ax (not a sword) jumps on an enemy.”

Here, “swinging an ax” specifies which warrior, making it essential.

Key Takeaway
Your original sentence uses “swinging an ax” as:

Adverbial: Modifying “jumps” (answering how).

Nonessential: Offset by a comma, adding extra detail.

This dual role is common! Many adverbial participle phrases are nonessential because they describe rather than restrict.

1. Present Participle as an Adverb of Manner (How?)
She ran out of the room, screaming.
(How did she run? → while screaming)

He drove down the highway, listening to music.
(How did he drive? → while listening to music)

The dog barked loudly, wagging its tail.
(How did it bark? → while wagging its tail)

2. Present Participle as an Adverb of Time (When?)
Finishing his homework, he went to bed.
(When did he go to bed? → after finishing his homework)

Opening the door, she saw a surprise party.
(When did she see the party? → upon opening the door)

Hearing the news, she burst into tears.
(When did she cry? → immediately after hearing)

3. Present Participle as an Adverb of Cause/Reason (Why?)
Feeling tired, he decided to take a nap.
(Why did he nap? → because he felt tired)

Knowing the answer, she raised her hand.
(Why did she raise her hand? → because she knew)

Being late, they hurried to the train.
(Why did they hurry? → because they were late)

4. Present Participle as an Adverb of Condition (Under what circumstances?)
Working hard, you can achieve anything.
(Under what condition? → if you work hard)

Practicing daily, you’ll improve quickly.
(When will you improve? → if you practice daily)

1. I think that [honesty is the most important human quality].

Honest is (a human quality). [3] // noun phrase 名词短语

2. Landing on the moon is [one of human’s best achievements].

Graduating is (my best achievement). [3] // noun phrase 名词短语

3. With the support of his family, he went [to further his education] at a university in the UK.

He went [(to further) his education]. [4] // infinitive phrase 不定时短语

4. Many people don’t realize the importance of a healthy lifestyle until they get sick.

I realize [the importance of a healthy life]. [2a] // noun phrase 名词短语

5. Everyone should [contribute their time] to our community. [2a] // verbal phrase (predicate 谓语)

6. Remember that teamwork [plays a role in] winning a basketball game. [2a] // verbal phrase (predicate 谓语)

7. The actor received [a standing ovation] for his amazing performance in the film. [2a] // noun phrase 名词短语

8. My elder sister is busy this year as she is going to [enter the college entrance exam].

She is going [to participate in the college entrance exam]. // 这是 present continuous. [to participate…] 是不定时短语 （infinitive phrase)

The suffix “-tion” is commonly used to convert verbs into nouns, often indicating an action, process, or state. Here are the key rules and guidelines for using “-tion” to form nouns:

1. Base Verb Ends in -te:
If the base verb ends in -te, replace -te with -tion.

Examples:

create → creation

celebrate → celebration

educate → education

2. Base Verb Ends in -ify:
If the base verb ends in -ify, replace -ify with -ification.

Examples:

simplify → simplification

clarify → clarification

justify → justification

3. Base Verb Ends in -ize:
If the base verb ends in -ize, replace -ize with -ization.

Examples:

organize → organization

realize → realization

modernize → modernization

4. Base Verb Ends in -ate:
If the base verb ends in -ate, replace -ate with -ation.

Examples:

donate → donation

communicate → communication

evaluate → evaluation

5. Base Verb Ends in -end or -and:
If the base verb ends in -end or -and, replace the ending with -ension or -ansion.

Examples:

ext[end] → extension

exp[and] → expansion

6. Base Verb Ends in -scribe:
If the base verb ends in -scribe, replace -scribe with -scription.

Examples:

describe → description

prescribe → prescription

7. Base Verb Ends in -duce:
If the base verb ends in -duce, replace -duce with -duction.

Examples:

produce → production

introduce → introduction

8. Base Verb Ends in -mit:
If the base verb ends in -mit, replace -mit with -mission.

Examples:

permit → permission

submit → submission

9. Base Verb Ends in -ss:
If the base verb ends in -ss, add -ion directly.

Examples:

discuss → discussion

express → expression

10. Irregular Forms:

Some verbs have irregular noun forms with -tion that don’t follow a specific pattern.

Examples:

solve → solution

absorb → absorption

describe → description

Key Points:
The suffix “-tion” is used to form nouns from verbs, typically indicating an action, process, or state.

The spelling of the base verb often changes slightly when adding “-tion” (e.g., dropping or replacing letters).

Not all verbs can be converted to nouns using “-tion”; some require other suffixes like “-ment” (e.g., enjoy → enjoyment) or “-ance” (e.g., perform → performance).

ref – https://www.englishwithashish.com/adverbials-masterclass/#google_vignette

What is an adverbial clause?

An adverbial clause is a dependent clause that functions as an adverb in a sentence.

Adverbial clauses start with a subordinating conjunction (because, when, if, although, etc.).

Ex: I [ate] the whole cake because I was hungry.

Adverbial Clauses vs Relative/Noun Clauses

Thus, note that adverbial clauses do not start with relative pronouns. They start with subordinating conjunctions.  

Relative pronouns introduce relative (adjective) clauses (a type of dependent clause that acts like an adjective).
Examples include: who, whom, whose, which, that.  

Subordinating conjunctions: These introduce adverbial clauses (dependent clauses that act like adverbs).

Examples include:

• that
• because
• since
• although
• if
• when
• while
• before
• after
• as

Adverbial Clause functionality

They modify:

• verbs (most used) – He arrived after the party started.
• adjectives – She was so happy that she cried.
• adverbs – They spoke more quietly when the teacher entered the room.

All adverbial clauses are dependent clauses. The other clauses included in dependent clauses are noun clauses, and relative (adjective) clauses.

An adverbial clause contains a subject and a verb

They answer questions like how, why, when, where, to what extent. In other words, it gives more information about the:

• time
• place
• condition
• reason
• manner
• purpose of the action

Adverbial Clause format and usage

subordinate conjunction + clause

Adverbial clause of time:
[He drinks coffee] before he leaves his house.
*modifies verb drinks.

Adverbial clause of time:
[We’ll be sitting in the conference room] until they tell us to leave.
* modifies main verb sitting.

Adverbial clause of manner:
As dollar signs flashed in his eyes, [my brother agreed to the deal].
*modifies verb agreed.

Adverbial clause of manner:
[She addressed the crowd] as she had practiced in the mirror.
*modifies verb addressed.

Adverbial clause of manner:
[José], as he tried to contain his excitement, [waited for her response].
*modifies waited.

Adverbial clause of place:
[My son told me another fight broke out] where he eats lunch.
*modifies verb broke out.

Adverbial clause of place:
[They drove] beyond where the city ends.
*modifies drove.

Adverbial clause of concession:
Whether my friend likes it or not, [we’re going on the roller coaster].
* modifies entire clause ‘We’re going on the roller’.

Adverbial clause of reason:
[We adopted these two cats] because they are cute.
* modifies verb adopted. The reason why you ‘adopted’ was because they are cute.

Adverbial clause of reason:
[He is amazing at soccer] because he spent his youth at the AYSO..
*modifies amazing.

Adverbial clause of reason:
[I took out the trash] because it stunk.
*modifies verb took out.

Adverbial clause of result:
[It was dark], so Nina lit a candle.

*modifies the main clause It was dark.

Important! Because ‘so’ is an coordinating conjunction (fanboy), we need to follow its rules.
we need to put a comma before any coordinating conjunction. This goes for and, but, yet, or, either, and for as well. (fanboy)

Adverbial clauses of manner (as, as if, as though, like):

He [sings] as if he were a professional. (manner)
The adverbial clause modifies the verb “sings” by describing how he sings.

He [talks] as if he knows everything. (Compares his manner of speaking to someone who knows everything)
She [dances] as though she’s floating on air. (Describes her manner graceful way of dancing)
He [talks] as if he’s an expert. (This describes the manner that he talks, as if he were an expert.)
It [looks] as though it might rain. This compares the manner of the weather to the appearance of impending rain.

A word on ‘like’

Note that like can be used as a conjunction.

Usually, we use ‘like’ as preposition:

“She looks [like] her mother.” Here it’s NOT introducing a clause with a subject and verb.

When used as part of an Adverbial clause, it is used as a conjunction:

The cake tastes [like] [it(s) has(v) almonds in it]. (Adverbial clause of manner, modifying “tastes”)
He talks [like] [he(s) knows(v) everything]. (Adverbial clause of manner, modifying “talks”)
He spends money [like] [he(s) is(v) a millionaire]. (Adverbial clause of manner, modifying “spends”)

“Like” as a Preposition

Role: It compares two nouns or pronouns, showing similarity.
ex: She looks like her mother. (comparing two nouns)

Structure: It’s followed by a noun or pronoun (the object of the preposition). It doesn’t introduce a clause with a subject and verb.  
Examples:
I enjoy fruits [like] [apples and oranges]. (the two fruit nouns follows ‘like’)

“Like” as a Conjunction (Informal)

Role: It introduces a dependent clause that shows a comparison or manner. This clause has its own subject and verb.
Structure: It’s followed by a subject and verb, forming a clause.

Examples:
He acts [like] [he(s) is(v) the boss].
It sounds [like] [it(s) is(v) going to rain].

Adverbial clauses of place (where, anywhere, everywhere):

Where the river flows, the land is fertile. (The clause describes the location of fertile land.)
Wherever you go, I will follow. (The clause expresses an action that happens regardless of the location.)
You can sit anywhere you like. (The clause indicates freedom of choice in seating location.)
Everywhere I look, I see signs of autumn. (The clause emphasizes the pervasiveness of autumnal signs.)

Adverbial clauses of condition (if, unless, provided, as long as, in case, on condition that):

if: This is the most common conjunction for conditional clauses. It expresses a possibility.

Example: If it rains, we’ll stay inside.

If you study hard, you will [pass] the exam. (condition)
The adverbial clause modifies the verb phrase “will pass” by stating the condition required to pass.

unless: This means “if not” or “except if.”  
Example: We’ll go to the beach unless it’s too cold.

provided (that): This expresses a condition that must be met for the main clause to be true.  
Example: You can borrow my car provided that you return it by tomorrow.

as long as: Similar to “provided that,” it sets a condition that needs to be fulfilled.  
Example: You can stay here as long as you like.

in case: This expresses a condition that might happen, and the main clause describes what to do if it does.
Example: Take an umbrella in case it rains.

whether…or: This presents two alternative conditions.  
Example: Whether you like it or not, you have to go to school.

Adverbial clauses of Cause and Effect – one event (the cause) directly leads to another event (the effect).

Because:


We stayed indoors [because] it was raining.

[Because] it was raining, we stayed indoors.



Since:

You may have a cookie [since] you asked nicely.

[Since] you asked nicely, you may have a cookie.



So that:


We set an alarm [so that] we wouldn’t oversleep.
[So that] we wouldn’t oversleep, we set an alarm.

As:

[As] everyone expected, the traffic was terrible on Friday.

The traffic was terrible on Friday [as] everyone expected.

Unless:


[Unless] you practice, you will never get better.

You will never get better [unless] you practice.

Adverbial clauses of reason – An explanation for why something happened or why someone did something.

Because she was tired, she [went] to bed early. (reason)
* The adverbial clause modifies the verb phrase “went to bed” by explaining why she went to bed early.

Since it was raining, we [decided] to stay indoors.
* modifies ‘decided to stay’. It explains the reason they ‘decided’ to stay in doors.

Seeing that the weather was nice, they [decided] to have a picnic.
* modifies ‘decided to have’

Note that it’s introduced by “Seeing that”, which acts as a conjunction to connect the adverbial clause to the main clause:

seeing (that) / considering (that): These phrases introduce a reason or cause. “Seeing” and “considering” are present participles.  

Example: Seeing that it’s late, we should go home.
Example: Considering that she’s new to the city, she’s doing quite well.

Adverbial clauses of time

• When the bell rang, the students [rushed] out of the classroom. (time)

  The adverbial clause modifies the verb “rushed” by indicating when the action happened.

Adverbial clauses of purpose (so that, in order that, in order to, so as to, in case, lest)

She [studied] hard so that she could pass the exam.
They [woke] up early in order to catch the first train.
I’ll [leave] a note in case he forgets.

Adverbial clauses of comparison (of degree and manner)

Adverbial clause of concession

Although it was raining, they [decided] to go for a walk. (concession)

The adverbial clause modifies the verb phrase “decided” by a concede. I admit that it is raining, but I still went for a walk.

Each type communicates different information, but every type is a group of words that functions as an adverb.

Adverbial Clause modifying Adverbs

• She spoke so softly [that I could barely hear her].

  Adverbial clause: that I could barely hear her
  Modified adverb: softly

• He drives more carefully [when it’s raining]

  Adverbial clause: when it’s raining
  Modified adverb: carefully

• They arrived earlier [than we expected].

  Adverbial clause: than we expected (them to arrive) – This is an elliptical clause with some words implied.
  Modified adverb: earlier

• I completed the task more quickly [than my brother did].

  Adverbial clause: than my brother did (complete the task) – Another elliptical clause.
  Modified adverb: quickly

• She sings more beautifully [when she’s on stage].

  Adverbial clause: when she’s on stage
  Modified adverb: beautifully

Adverbial Clause modifying Adjectives

The water was so cold [that my teeth started chattering].
(The adverbial clause “that my teeth started chattering” modifies the adjective “cold,” emphasizing how cold the water was.)

She was so tired [that she fell asleep on the couch].
(The adverbial clause “that she fell asleep on the couch” modifies the adjective “tired,” showing the extent of her tiredness.)

The box was heavier [than I expected].
(The adverbial clause “than I expected” modifies the adjective “heavier,” indicating the degree of heaviness.)

He was more excited about the trip [than his sister was]. (The adverbial clause “than his sister was” modifies the adjective “excited,” comparing his excitement to his sister’s.)

The movie was as scary [as I had heard]. (The adverbial clause “as I had heard” modifies the adjective “scary,” confirming the level of scariness.)

Both noun clause and relative (adjective) clause start with a relative pronoun who, whom, whose, which, that.  

Noun Clause

Function: Acts as a noun in the sentence.

It can be a subject, object, subject complement, object of a preposition, or appositive.  

What it does: Names a person, place, thing, or idea.  

How to identify it: Ask yourself if you can replace the clause with a single noun or pronoun. If so, it’s likely a noun clause.

Examples:

What he said surprised me. (subject)

I know that you are right. (object)

The truth is that I was scared. (subject complement)

I’m interested in what you think. (object of a preposition)

Adjective Clause (Relative)

Function: Acts as an adjective to modify a noun or pronoun in the sentence.  

What it does: Provides more information about the noun it modifies.  

How to identify it: It usually starts with a relative pronoun (who, whom, whose, which, that) or a relative adverb (where, when, why).  

Examples:

The book that I borrowed [is] overdue. (modifies “book”)

The woman who lives next door [is] a doctor. (modifies “woman”)

The city where I was born [is] far away. (modifies “city”)

People like clothes that make them look good.

Here’s a breakdown:

The relative clause: “that make them look good” modifies the noun “clothes.”

The subject of the relative clause:

The relative pronoun “that” refers back to “clothes,” so the subject of the relative clause is also “clothes.”

Subject-verb agreement:

Since “clothes” is plural, the verb in the relative clause needs to be the plural form “make” to agree with it.

If the sentence were about a single item of clothing, then the verb would be singular:

“She likes the dress [that makes her look good].”

Gemini may display inaccurate info, including about people, so double-check its responses. Your privacy & Gemini AppsOpens in a new window