Participial vs Absolute Phrases

Absolute Phrase

SWBAT identify absolute phrases and create absolute phrases in order to enhance their sentences.

What is an absolute phrase?

• A group of words consisting of a noun or pronoun AND a participle!

• There can be other words in the sentence.

• They are ALWAYS set off from the rest of the sentence with a comma or pair of commas.

Why do we use absolute phrases?

• Absolute phrases are valuable because they provide layers of detail in our sentences.

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If an absolute phrase is removed from a sentence, will the sentence still make sense?

• YES! Absolute phrases simply add detail to a sentence but is NOT necessary information for the sentence to make sense.

Multiple Choice

Which is true about an absolute phrase?

• It is never set off from the sentence with commas.

• It contains a participle and a noun and pronoun.

• It is necessary information to the sentence.

• There cannot be other words in the sentence.

Examples

• Their minds whirling from the avalanche of information provide by Mrs. Welty, the students left the classroom in a daze.

• Noun= minds

• whirling = participle

• The italicized part still makes sense on its own.

Examples

• His head pounding, his hands shaking, the young man knelt and proposed marriage to his girlfriend.

• What are the two nouns?

• Head and Hands

• What are the two participles?

• Pounding and shaking

Knees knocking, palms sweating, the child crept down the dark hall to investigate the noise.

• What are the absolute phrases?

• Knees knocking & palms sweating

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Multiple Choice

Identify the absolute phrase: Her suspicions confirmed, the police officer made the arrest.

• Her suspicions confirmed

• the police officer

• the police officer made the arrest

• confirmed

Open Ended

Identify the noun and participle of the absolute phrase in the sentence: Her arms folded across her chest, Professor Hill warned the class about the penalties of plagiarism.

What is the difference between an absolute phrase and a participial?

• An absolute phrase is a phrase that modifies the entire clause.

• An absolute phrase has a noun in it.

• A participial phrase does NOT have a noun in it.