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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 · An absolute phrase is a group of words that modifies an independent clause as a whole. Its etymology is from the Latin, "free, loosen, unrestricted. An absolute is made up of a noun and its modifiers (which frequently, but not always, include a participle or participial phrase). An absolute may precede, follow, or interrupt the main clause:
- Richard Nordquist
B) Absolute phrases using a noun/pronoun and a normal adjective. The exams over, we went for a movie. The exams = a noun phrase over = adjective. More examples: His clothes dirty, he didn’t go to the party. We sat down in a circle near his grave, our hearts void. Jamie got a job in a big MNC, his parents happier than ever.
Jul 14, 2024 · Noun: The noun in the absolute phrase is the focus of the description (e.g., arms, weather, homework). Participle : A verb form used as an adjective to describe the noun (e.g., folded, being, finished).
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Apr 9, 2024 · 1. (2) An absolute phrase is a set of words that provides extra details about the entire sentence, it does not need to be directly connected to the main sentence. It usually contains a noun and a participle an “ing” verb form working like an adjective or a verb phrase with “being.”. Commonly, it is separated from the primary sentence by ...
