1. 1. Absolute Constructions
2. 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. 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. 4. Function Of Absolute Constructions
5. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
11. 11. THANKS