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An absolute phrase always contains a noun (bolded in the examples below) and a participle (underlined). For example: Eyes closed, she stroked the crystal ball and muttered some Latin words. (In this example, the absolute phrase "Eyes closed" modifies the independent clause, i.e., all the words after the comma.)
- What Is An Absolute phrase?
- Examples of Absolute Phrase
- Parts of Absolute Phrases
- Types of Absolute Phrases
- How to Avoid Mistakes
An absolute phrase is a phrase that modifies a whole independent clause (a full sentence); not just one word. It generally combines a noun and a participle, so it can be as short as two words, or sometimes have other modifiers and objects, too. Absolute phrases are not full sentences on their own, but they can add very important details to sentence...
Unlike a normal modifier that just modifies a word in a sentence, an absolute phrase modifies a whole sentence. Below, the absolute phrases are orange: 1. Sally waited for her friends to arrive, muffins baking in the oven. 2. Muffins baking in the oven, Sally waited for her friends to arrive. 3. Her muffins freshlybaked, Sally waited for her friend...
Absolute phrases always have a noun (as the subject), but don’t have a finite verb (a verb that works with the subject to make a full sentence). Usually, they also have a participle, plus other modifiers and objects.
As mentioned, most absolute phrases use a noun and either a past or present participle. But, like many other cases in grammar, there are exceptions, like other types of phrases that work like absolute phrases!
An absolute phrase should not have an effect on the grammar of the sentence it modifies. Since it modifies an independent clause, which is a full sentence, if you take it away, the sentence will still make sense on its own, like this: Muffins baking in the oven, Sally waited for her friends to arrive. Muffins baking in the oven,Sally waited for her...
An absolute phrase will be a separate part of the sentence which can be removed without changing the basic structure or meaning of the sentence. It works to supplement or add depth to the information. Moreover, it will always consist of a noun or pronoun and a participle as well as any related modifiers. For instance, in the sentence 'The dog ...
Aug 7, 2019 · Learn what absolute phrases are and how they modify independent clauses in English. See examples of absolute phrases from fiction and expository writing, and compare them with nominative absolutes.
- Richard Nordquist
The girl was sitting in a corner of her room, tears rolling down her cheeks. Tears rolling down her cheeks is the absolute phrase that’s adding more details to the independent clause, making the picture more explicit and clearer. Tears is the noun, rolling is the present participle, and down her cheeks is the modifying phrase.
Feb 28, 2020 · the answer is simple: absolute phrases modify sentences to provide additional detail. When someone wonders, "What is an absolute phrase?" Dictionary
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The Absolute phrase combines a noun/pronoun with a prepositional phrase/adjective, as shown in the examples: Alex was waiting, (with) his eyes on the sky. Jennie determination stronger than ever, she decided not to give up until she had achieved her dreams. Types of Absolute phrases in English III. Common Phrases in Absolute phrases in English
