Thursday, December 13, 2012

Absolute Constructions

Last time we talked about dangling participles and mentioned that they were different from absolute phrases or constructions. The latter contain a participle, but in this case the participle modifies a noun or pronoun instead of referring to the subject of the sentence. A frequently used absolute phrase is:

"All things considered, I would recommend that you buy the used one."

In this case, the participle ("considered") modifies a noun present in the clause ("things"). We are hence dealing with an absolute construction.

Another example:

"The power being out, they decided to spend the night at a hotel."

Yet here the use of an absolute phrase makes for a slightly awkward sentence. It would be better to say:

"Since the power was out, they decided to spend the night at a hotel."

You may find a definition of absolute construction and some examples in The American Heritage Book of English Usage.

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