Absolute Phrase
Definition
● A sentence part describing the rest of a
sentence. An absolute phrase is ALMOST a
complete sentence.
● Modifies a whole clause or sentence, not just
one word
● Consists of a noun or noun equivalent + a
participial phrase
● As a test, you can make every absolute
phrase a sentence by inserting “was” or
“were.”
Examples...
1) A teenager in a black tank top, a greenish tattoo
flowing across her broad back, hoisted a toddler onto her
shoulder.
Test: A greenish tattoo was flowing
across her broad back.
2) Two hard-faced men, both cradling submachine
guns, stood watching closely from the adjacent guard
station.
Test: Both were cradling submachine
guns.
Another way to identify an absolute is by its
opening word, which is often a possessive
pronoun. (his, her, its, our, their)
● This pronoun can be stated (visible) or
implied (invisible).
Visible Possessive Pronoun
1) Mama was out of bed now, her long black
skirt [WAS] over her nightgown.
● The pronoun “her” is visible before “long
black skirt.”
Invisible Possessive Pronoun
1) He was sitting on his cot, elbows [WERE]
on knees, looking down.
● The word “his” is invisible before the word
“elbows.”
Single or Multiple
Sentences can contain single or multiple
absolute phrases.
Single absolute: He looked over to where the
huge, filthy birds sat, their naked heads sunk
in the hunched feathers.
Multiple absolute: She burst into great sobs,
her whole body shaking, tears streaming
down her face.
NOTE!
Absolute phrases can be removed without destroying the
basic meaning of the sentence, but notice how including
them adds detail and style.
1a) A teenager in a black tank top hoisted a toddler onto
her shoulder.
1b) A teenager in a black tank top, a greenish tattoo
flowing across her broad back, hoisted a toddler onto her
shoulder.
2a) Two hard-faced men stood watching him
closely from the adjacent guard station.
2b) Two hard-faced men, both cradling
submachine guns, stood watching him closely
from the adjacent guard station.
3a) He looked over to where the huge, filthy
birds sat.
3b) He looked over to where the huge, filthy
birds sat, their naked heads sunk in the
hunched feathers.
Combining Practice
I jumped from the bed.
My feet barely hit the deerskin rug.
I rushed into Mama’s room.
The electric train was there waiting.
All the lights were on.
Combining Practice
Then, she was very afraid.
She shook her head.
She shook it warningly.
She touched a finger to her lips.
Her eyes were pleading with him.
Multiple Choice Practice
Ms. Etter sat in the meeting, her head resting in
her hand.
A.
B.
C.
D.
NO CHANGE
meeting her head resting
meeting, her head, resting
meeting, her, head resting
Multiple Choice Practice
Her hair in tangles, around her face the child
blearily rubbed at her eyes.
A. NO CHANGE.
B. Her hair in tangles around her face the child
C. Her hair in tangles around her face, the
child
D. Her hair in tangles around her face the
child,