Absolute phrases

Absolute phrases

*  What is an absolute phrase?

==> An absolute phrase often includes a noun or pronoun, a participle, and any modifiers, objects or complements of the phrase. Usually set off by commas, it modifies an entire sentence rather than a specific word.

Generally but not always

==> ABSOLUTE PHRASE = noun/pronoun + participle + modifiers, objects, or complements

A. Absolute Phrase as Adjective Phrase (See Participle Phrase as Adjective)

Examples:

-     The lecture having finished ten minutes early, we headed over to the coffee shop.

-          My cake finally baking in the oven, I was free to rest for thirty minutes.

-          Its leaves burned off by the fire, the dead tree fell.

-          We hurried to the game, our anticipation (being) high.

-          Their reputation as winners secured by victory, the New York Liberty charged into the semifinals.

-          The season nearly finished, Rebecca Lobo and Sophie Witherspoon emerged as true leaders.

-          The two superstars signed autographs into the night, their faces beaming happily.

B. Absolute Phrase as Adverbial Phrase [Adverb clause is reduced]

 (see Participle Phrase as Adverbial)

1. Impersonal Absolute

(1) The participle is preceded by a Verb-Adjective, must qualify some Noun or Pronoun. As such, it must have a proper “subject of reference” or, in other words, it must be in agreement with the Subject.

Examples:

-          Instead of saying, “walking on the road, I saw a snake,” we should say, “when I was walking on the road, I saw a snake.

-          Similarly, instead of saying, “Being a fine day, we went out for a picnic”, we should say “It being a fine day, we went out for a picnic.”

(2) In some cases, however, there may be no proper “subject of reference” for the verb.

Examples:

-          Truly speaking, she loves her mother dearly.

-          Considering his achievements, he deserves to be promoted.

2. Nominative Absolute and Absolute Phrase

When a Participle, preceded by a Noun or Pronoun forms an Independent Phrase, the latter is called an Absolute Phrase and the preceding Noun or Pronoun is called a Nominative Absolute.

Examples:                                           

-          Weather-permitting, we shall see you in the evening. (if weather permits,…)

-          God-willing, you will be successful in your venture. (if God wills,…)

-          The weather being fine, we went out for a picnic. (Because the weather was fine,…)

-          The sun having risen, we set out on our journey. (After the sun had risen,…)

-          He, working with full strength, could not pass.

 (Although he worked with full strength,… )

*  When the participle of an absolute phrase is a form of to be, such as being or having been, the participle is often left out but understood.

·         The season [being] over, they were mobbed by fans in Times Square.

·         [Having been] Stars all their adult lives, they seemed used to the attention.

*  Another kind of absolute phrase is found after a modified noun; it adds a focusing detail or point of focus to the idea of the main clause. This kind of absolute phrase can take the form of a prepositional phrase, an adjective phrase, or a noun phrase.

·         The old firefighter stood over the smoking ruins, his senses alert to any sign of another flare-up.

·         His subordinates, their faces sweat-streaked and smudged with ash, leaned heavily against the firetruck.

·         They knew all too well how all their hard work could be undone — in an instant.

*  It is not unusual for the information supplied in the absolute phrase to be the most important element in the sentence. In fact, in descriptive prose, the telling details will often be wrapped into a sentence in the form of an absolute phrase:

·         Coach Nykesha strolled onto the court, her arms akimbo and a large silver whistle clenched between her teeth.

·         The new recruits stood in one corner of the gym, their uniforms stiff and ill fitting, their faces betraying their anxiety.

C. Adverb Phrase as Absolute

Example:

-          Far and away, he behaves badly to me.

-          Again and again, he just does nothing.

D. A noun phrase can also exist as an absolute phrase:

            Examples:

·         Your best friends, where are they now, when you need them?

·         And then there was my best friend Sally — the dear girl — who has certainly fallen on hard times.

*  It might be useful to review the material on Misplaced Modifiers because it is important not to confuse an absolute phrase with a misplaced modifier.

Exercises:

In the sentences below, underline the Absolute phrase.

1.   Extra-curricular activities demanding more and more of their attention, many children don't have the time they need to develop strong emotional ties with their parents and siblings.

2.  Some Minnesota parents, their patience and schedules stretched to the limit, have begun to fight back against extra-curricular programs that penalize children for spending time with their families instead of attending additional mandatory practices or meetings.

3.  Family Life 1st! continues to spread the message about the importance of family togetherness, its members encouraged by support from the religious community, and surprisingly, the coaching community as well.

4.  Umbrellas tossing in the wind, the students at the bus stop huddled under the scant shelter of the elms.

5.  Rodrigo unhappily prepared to vacate and sell his dream home, his hopes for a reconciliation dashed at last.

6.  Their own place established, many ethnic groups are making way for new arrivals.

7.  Immigrants having learned English, their opportunities widen.