_The ground is dry, although it has rained_. The adverb clause, introduced
by _although_, expresses a +Concession+. It is conceded that a cause for
the ground's not being dry exists; but, in spite of this opposing cause, it
is asserted that the ground is dry.
All these dependent clauses of real cause, evidence, condition, purpose,
and concession come, as you see, under the general head of +Cause+,
although only the first kind assigns the cause proper.
Analysis.
The +adverb clause+ may express +condition+.
1. If the air is quickly compressed, enough heat is evolved to produce
combustion.
2. Unless your thought packs easily and neatly in verse, always use prose.
(_Unless_ = _if not_.)
3. If ever you saw a crow with a king-bird after him, you have an image of
a dull speaker and a lively listener.
4. Were it not for the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, the harbors and the
rivers of Britain would be blocked up with ice for a great part of the
year.
+Explanation+.--The relative position of the subject and the verb renders
the _if_ unnecessary. This omission of _if_ is a common idiom.
5. Should the calls of hunger be neglected, the fat of the body is thrown
into the grate to keep the furnace in play.
The +adverb clause+ may express +purpose+.
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