ABSOLUTE ABSOLUTE PHRASESPHRASES

What is an absolute phrase?What is an absolute phrase?

It is a group of words consisting It is a group of words consisting of a of a noun or pronounnoun or pronoun AND a AND a participleparticiple!!!!

There can be other words There can be other words (modifiers) in the sentence.(modifiers) in the sentence.

Why do we use absolute Why do we use absolute phrases?phrases?

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

If an absolute phrase is in a If an absolute phrase is in a sentence, can it be removed and sentence, can it be removed and the sentence still make sense?the sentence still make sense? YES!!!YES!!!

An absolute phrase An absolute phrase adds detailadds detail to a sentence, but it is not to a sentence, but it is not necessary information for the necessary information for the sentence to make sense.sentence to make sense.

Do I need to use a comma Do I need to use a comma with absolute phrases?with absolute phrases?

YES!!!! YES!!!! They are ALWAYS set off from They are ALWAYS set off from

the rest of the sentence with a the rest of the sentence with a comma or pair of commas.comma or pair of commas.

Sometimes they are set off with Sometimes they are set off with dashes (but not often).dashes (but not often).

Can absolute phrase come Can absolute phrase come anywhere in a sentence?anywhere in a sentence?

YES!YES! Absolute phrases can be at the Absolute phrases can be at the

beginning, middle, or end of a beginning, middle, or end of a sentence.sentence.

We will be working on all three We will be working on all three of these the next three weeks!of these the next three weeks!

Can you show me some examples Can you show me some examples of Absolute Phrases?of Absolute Phrases?

I SURE CAN!! I SURE CAN!!

NounNounParticipleParticiple

Ex. Ex. Their Their minds whirlingminds whirling from from the avalanche of information the avalanche of information provided by Mrs. Weltyprovided by Mrs. Welty, , the the students left the classroom in a students left the classroom in a daze. daze.

The italicized part still makes sense on The italicized part still makes sense on

its own.its own.

Lets look at some more Lets look at some more examples!!!examples!!! His head pounding, his hands His head pounding, his hands

shakingshaking, , the young man knelt the young man knelt and proposed marriage to his and proposed marriage to his girlfriend.girlfriend.

What are the two nouns?What are the two nouns? Head and HandsHead and Hands

What are the two participles?What are the two participles? Pounding and shakingPounding and shaking

One More…..One More…..

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

What are the absolute phrases?What are the absolute phrases? Knees knocking & Palms sweatingKnees knocking & Palms sweating

YOUR TURN!!!YOUR TURN!!!

Work with your seat buddy to:Work with your seat buddy to: Write a sentence about sports.Write a sentence about sports. You must start your sentence with You must start your sentence with

at least two absolute phrases!!!at least two absolute phrases!!!