An absolute phrase (the full nomination word) is usually made up of a noun or pronoun in a participant sentence. It changes the whole sentence, not just one word, which makes it different from a compound sentence.
When participation and the noun that precedes it together form an independent phrase, the structure is often called the absolute phrase.
Examples of Absolute Phrases in Sentence
Following are some examples of sentences using absolute phrases:
- Weather permitting we shall meet in the evening. (Here the phrase ‘weather permitting’ is an example of an absolute phrase.)
- God willing we shall meet again. (Here the phrase ‘God willing’ is an example of an absolute phrase.)
- The weather being fine, we went out for a picnic.
- The sun having risen, we set out on our journey.
- My cousin finally returning to the homeland, we will be able to have fun in the family gatherings like before.
- The singer’s performance in the concert, the organizers were so happy.
- Jeff is waiting for his friends, having the food cooked in the microwave oven.
- Having the work done early, I decided to go home.
- The concert finished, we all were ready to go the restaurant.
- Being a doctor, you should know it.
- The exam over, the friends were ready to hang out.
- Having the cake baked in the oven, I was cleaning the dust of the bedroom.
- The program over, we all were ready to go home.
- My friend coming to the varsity, we will be able to spend some quality time.
- Having the meal prepared, I was watching a drama on the television.
- Her presence in the party, we all were screaming with joy.
Note: Absolute phrases are used to combine two clauses that have different subjects.
Study the examples given below.
- The visitors left. We went to bed.
Here the two sentences have different subjects. Still, we can combine them using a participle.
So, the absolute phrase is: (The visitors having left, we went to bed).
Another example is given below.
- It was a stormy day. We stayed inside the house.
So, the absolute phrase is: (It being a stormy day, we stayed inside the house).
We can change an absolute phrase into a subordinate adverb clause of time, condition, cause or concession (highlighted in bold letters are absolute phrase):
- Weather permitting can be changed into ‘If weather permit.
- If weather permits, we shall meet in the meeting.
- If God wills, we shall meet again.
- As the weather was fine, we went out for a picnic.
- After the sun had risen, we set out on our journey.
- After the visitors had left, we went to bed.
What is Nominative Absolute?
A nominative absolute is a noun phrase that begins or ends a sentence. This expression has no grammatical connection with another sentence. Many nominative absolutes contain a condition of participation or participation that changes the name or declaration.
Example:
- The weather being cloudy, we decided to postpone the trip.
In this the Nominative Absolute is “The weather being cloudy”
- The book being too short, I read it in two hours.
In this the Nominative Absolute is “The book being too short”
- No other matter arising, the meeting was adjourned.
In this the Nominative Absolute is “No other matter arising”
- Our reservations having been made, we started on our vacation in spite of the predicted storm.
In this the Nominative Absolute is “Our reservations having been made”
Related Resources
Keep exploring EnglishBix to learn about different types of phrases in English and where they are used.