The four forms that absolute phrases take

AS emphasized early in this series, absolute phrases are a legitimate—if They can modify an entire sentence without without any conjunction to connect them to the main sentence: “His dream realized, the man gave himself a well-deserved rest.” “Their plan in shambles, the desperate politicians beat a hasty retreat.” Absolute phrases puts the idea in the main clause in context— often even overshadowing that idea. Absolute phrases, which are commonly used in expository and constructions that sometimes even drops the noun altogether; (2) as a noun plus a participle; (3) as a “a sentence tailender.

. The most common form of the absolute phrase is a modifying word , the boxer gave HerchoiceMiguel, the woman decided to spurn Arsenio’s marriage offer.” And “Miffed, the unwilling candidate snubbed his own proclamation.”

We can see that the examples above are, in effect, streamlined constructions of these sentences using participial or adverbial Theresolveoftheboxer he gave up the Thewoman’schoicewas Miguel,so she decided to spurn Arsenio’s marriage offer.” “Theunwillingcandidatewasmiffed, so he snubbed his own proclamation.” The statements getmore concise verb forms (“was,” “were”) and of complex sentence structures using As a noun plus a participle. - had exhausted all of her options, so the lower-paying job.” “The peace-and-order campaign by politics, sothe again.” By using the absolute phrase form, such sentences can drop the helping verb in the main clause (retaining only the participle component) and the coordinating conjunction

- ing the statements more concise All her options exhausted, Jennifer the lower- paying job.” “The peaceon a rampage again.” What happens is that the absolute phrase

and not just its subject. As a noun plus an adjective. As in the earlier two patterns, the absolute phrase can do away with the verb in a subordinate clause and also get rid of the coordinating conjunctions “but” or

-

but the man furtively sent an e-mail to his lover on the Internet.”“Their lives were in peril due to the avalanche, so the mountaineers radioed their home base for help.” See how these sentences

- adjective or an adjectival phrase to Hiswife , the man furtively sent e-mail to his lover.” “Theirlives inperilduetotheavalanche, the mountaineers radioed their home base for help.” As a sentence tailender. An ab- solute without phrase frills to can the also end be of added sentences context, to to put emphasize ideas in a detail, broader or “The man hesitated to accept the presidential draft, hisconscience competence.” “The writer ended his novel prematurely, the hero stillhangingonacliff.” With that, we’re done with our discussion of the absolute phrases. and number.

(Next week: Appositives as open secret to more engaging writing)