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1. Absolute Constructions
2. Change from full Subject Predicate Form Absolute
Construction with Participle The elevator being out of order,
everyone had to walk The rain having already begun, they decided to
call off the concert in the park. Absolute Construction without
Participle Being is implied before the following complements used
as predicates of absolute construction.
3. A predicate noun His book now a bestseller, he felt pleased
with the world. A predicate adjective His book now famous, he felt
pleased with the world. An adverb His long work finally over , he
felt pleased with the world. A prepositional phrase His book now on
sale at all bookstores, he felt pleased with the world.
4. Function Of Absolute Constructions
5. Kinds Of Time Expressed By Participles In Absolute
Constructions 1. Present participle : Present time : Her mother
being away, she has to do all the housework Past time : Her mother
being away, she had to do all the housework Future time : Dinner
will be served outdoors, weather permitting 2. Past participle :
Present time : She is walking along slowly, the infant held tightly
in her arms. Past time : She walked along slowly, the infant held
tightly in her arms. Future time : His book once published, he will
never have to worry about money again.
6. 3. Perfect participle : More vaccine had to be sent for, the
epidemic having spread at an alarming rate. The rebels having been
defeated, the dictator began to rebuild the towns that were
destroyed in the fighting. All flights having been canceled because
of the storm, they decided to take the train
7. Personal pronoun subjects of absolute constructions are more
likely to occur in conversational English than in formal English.
We divided the work, she taking one half and I the rest. He being
sick, well have to do his work. The expletives it and there may
fill subject position in an absolute construction. It being Sunday,
the stores were not open. There having been some question about the
bookkeepers honesty, the company asked him to resign. Subjects In
Absolute Constructions
8. Possible Meanings Of Absolute Constructions 1. Time In the
sense of after Dinner (being) ready, the hostess asked her guests
to be seated. Day finally breaking, weresumed our long automobil
trip across the country In the sense of while The anthropologis
questioned many of the natives in that remote area, his host acting
as interpreter. Cleopatra sat resplendent on her throne, her
ladies-in-waiting grouped all around here.
9. 2. Cause The table not having been constructed properly. One
of the legs becom loose. With his wife sick in the hospital, hi is
taking care of the children alone. Often an absolute construction,
like a participial phrase, may signify both time (in the sense of
after) and cause at once.
10. 3. Condition A riot once begun, our small police force will
be unable to handle it. He entered the room quickly, a smile on his
lips and a handshake for everyone.