Absolute Phrase Facts
True or False?
An absolute phrase combines a noun and a participle with any accompanying modifiers or objects.
True
Identify the Absolute Phrase:
"Harry froze, his cut finger slipping on the jagged edge of the mirror again." (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Scholastic, 2007)
"Harry froze, his cut finger slipping on the jagged edge of the mirror again." (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Scholastic, 2007)
Her voice floating over the crowd, Maria awed everyone with her natural singing ability.
Her voice floating over the crowd, Maria awed everyone with her natural singing ability.
Discouraged by the long hours and low pay, my sister finally quit her job.
Not an absolute phrase... it's a participial phrase!
What is an absolute phrase?
A phrase that has a noun or pronoun that is modified by a participle/participial phrase. It stands “absolutely” by itself in relation to the rest of the sentence.
Put the components of an absolute phrase in order: Participle, Noun, Optional Modifier(s) and/or Object(s)
Noun + Participle + Optional Modifier(s) and/or Object(s)
Identify the Absolute Phrase:
"The superintendent, his head on his chest, was slowly poking the ground with his stick." (George Orwell, "A Hanging," 1931)
"The superintendent, his head on his chest, was slowly poking the ground with his stick." (George Orwell, "A Hanging," 1931)
Sam could be heard all the way down the hall, his loud laughter carrying across the school.
Sam could be heard all the way down the hall, his loud laughter carrying across the school.
Being rich, she bought 5 cars for her birthday.
Not an absolute phrase, it is actually a participial phrase!
Which one contains an absolute phrase?
1. Preparing for the lunar eclipse, we set our alarm clocks.
2. Its wings being damaged by the storm, the aircraft crashed.
2
True or False?
Rather than modifying the whole clause, an absolute phrase will describe a specific word.
False! Rather than modifying a specific word, an absolute phrase will describe the whole clause.
Identify the Absolute Phrase:
Silently they ambled down Tenth Street until they reached a stone bench that jutted from the sidewalk near the curb. They stopped there and sat down, their backs to the eyes of the two men in white smocks who were watching them. (Toni Morrison, Song of Solomon)
Silently they ambled down Tenth Street until they reached a stone bench that jutted from the sidewalk near the curb. They stopped there and sat down, their backs to the eyes of the two men in white smocks who were watching them. (Toni Morrison, Song of Solomon)
My cousin finally returning to the homeland, we will be able to have fun in the family gatherings like before.
My cousin finally returning to the homeland, we will be able to have fun in the family gatherings like before.
The stables clean, John went in for dinner.
Absolute Phrase!
Is this an absolute phrase?
Humming to herself, Molly sprinkled salt and pepper into the pot of tomato sauce.
No, it is a participial phrase!
True or False?
Absolute phrases are not full sentences on their own, but they can add very important details to sentences that make them more informative or relevant.
True!
Identify the Absolute Phrase:
To his right the valley continued in its sleepy beauty, mute and understated, its wildest autumn colors blunted by the distance, placid as water color by an artist who mixed all his colors with brown. (Joyce Carol Oates, "The Secret Marriage")
To his right the valley continued in its sleepy beauty, mute and understated, its wildest autumn colors blunted by the distance, placid as water color by an artist who mixed all his colors with brown. (Joyce Carol Oates, "The Secret Marriage")
The old firefighter stood over the ruins, his eyes watering from the intense smoke.
The old firefighter stood over the ruins, his eyes watering from the intense smoke.
The party being over, the guests began to depart.
Absolute Phrase!
True or false:
An absolute phrase has, what looks like, a subject and verb in it.
True!
DAILY DOUBLE!!!
True or False?
Absolute Phrases are connected to the full sentence by a conjunction (like/and).
Identify the Absolute Phrase:
There was no bus in sight and Julian, his hands still jammed in his pockets and his head thrust forward, scowled down the empty street. (Flannery O'Connor, "Everything That Rises Must Converge")
There was no bus in sight and Julian, his hands still jammed in his pockets and his head thrust forward, scowled down the empty street. (Flannery O'Connor, "Everything That Rises Must Converge")
I will be back tomorrow, weather permitting.
I will be back tomorrow, weather permitting.
The full moon, suspended in the sky, was brilliant.
Give an example of an absolute phrase in a movie or a song.
(I don't expect anybody to get this but kudos if you do)