Absolute Phrases

​Absolute Phrases

​A hallmark of sophisticated phrasing

• Group of words

• Contains SUBJECT AND VERB

• Determines type of sentence​

​Clause

• Group of words

• Contains NO subject and verb​

• Has no bearing on type of sentence​

​Phrase

​An important distinction!

​What is an absolute phrase?

​A phrase containing a noun + a participle that describes an entire sentence and not just a single word

​So what is a participle phrase?

A participle is a verbal (verb-like because it was originally a verb) that acts like an adjective. Present tense participles always end in -ing, while past tense participles usually end in -d or -ed or are in some irregular form:

​

The laughing man The stolen crown The whining child ​

The bright sails fluttering in the breeze, we could imagine sailing away to freedom and bliss.​

​

Note underlined portion​​

An

Example ​

His old friends a comforting presence, Jimmy knew he could face any struggles ​in the enchanted wood.

Note underlined portion​

Another

Example ​

The stream frozen from months of brutal winter, nothing but stillness permeated the forest air.​

​

Note underlined portion​​

​One more example

​

Multiple Choice

The man tumbling down the stairs, we all looked to see if he was injured.

• YES

• NO

Multiple Choice

Smoking a fake cigarette, the debonaire actor struck a pose for the magazine.

• YES

• NO

Multiple Choice

Charli and Monica skipped across the garden, the rains having recently fallen, and delighted in the cool evening air.

• YES

• NO

Multiple Choice

The supposedly haunted house, its windows broken from years of abuse, became the stuff of community legend.

• YES

• NO

Multiple Choice

The judges wondered if the flailing dancer really understood what meaningful dance was.

• YES

• NO

Multiple Choice

A graceful sight in the wild, the gorgeous swan glided across the pond's surface.

• YES

• NO

Multiple Choice

The smoke spilling from the roof, the walls caving in on themselves, the fire erupted into a raging inferno that threatened nearby buildings, all huddling against one another for protection.

• YES

• NO

Multiple Choice

How many absolute phrases are there?

The smoke spilling from the roof, the walls caving in on themselves, the fire erupted into a raging inferno that threatened nearby buildings, all huddling against one another for protection.

• ONE

• TWO

• THREE

• FOUR

Multiple Choice

Is the following group of words a phrase or a clause?

Window shopping is fun.

• Phrase

• Clause

Multiple Choice

Is the following group of words a phrase or a clause?

Because we had not received fair warning about the road closure.

• Phrase

• Clause

Multiple Choice

Is the following group of words a phrase or a clause?

To the best of my ability and wisdom.

• Phrase

• Clause

Multiple Choice

What type of sentence pattern?

The bride's mother sobbing, the groom's father smiling, the families waving goodbye, the new couple embarked on their new life together.

• Chiasmus

• Periodic Sentence

• Loose Sentence

• Balanced Sentence/

  Antithetical Phrasing

Multiple Choice

How many absolute phrases are present in the following sentence?

The bride's mother sobbing, the groom's father smiling, the families waving goodbye, the new couple embarked on their new life together.

• One

• Two

• Three

• Zero

Multiple Choice

What kind of sentence pattern is the following sentence?

The would-be explorer stepped boldly into the woods, her packed lunch of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches safely at her side, her mother's voice of warning tucked deeply into her memory.

• Chiasmus

• Periodic Sentence

• Loose Sentence

• Balanced Sentence/

  Antithetical Phrasing

Multiple Choice

How many absolute phrases does the following sentence contain?

The would-be explorer stepped boldly into the woods, her packed lunch of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches safely at her side, her mother's voice of warning tucked deeply into her memory.

• One

• Two

• Three

• Zero