WRITING LESSON: Adding Absolutes to a Sentence Base

Absolute + S - V -

S - V -DO + Absolute

Still another way to expand a sentence is by adding an absolute or an absolute phrase.

DEFINITION

An absolute phrase consists of a noun and a participle (plus the participle's object, if there is one, and any modifiers). Because it has a subject and a verbal, an absolute phrase resembles a clause.

• Absolutes usually modify the whole sentence, rather than one word in it. They’re like sentences without complete verbs.
• They’re usually set off with commas, and sometimes dashes.
• They can go either at the beginning or end of a sentence.

Examples:

"Her legs pumping like pistons, Lily raced angrily down the street, away from English class forever!"

"Her poetic mind working beautifully, Julia wrote five poems in one hour last night."

"His smile broadening into a happy grin, Joseph shyly admitted that he got an 'A' on his last essay."

"Asia loved the look of the evening sky, its colors slowly fading to silver and then fading completely away."

More Examples:

Her determination stronger than ever, Madeline clawed her way up the slope.

The mountain smoking and the ground rumbling, Lily stumbled from the cave.

They finished the pipeweed, their spirits at peace.

The battle over, Asia dismissed the ghosts.

Ordered to lead the attack, Morgan spurred his horse forward.

Joseph dropped the sword, his hand burning with pain.

Julia strode forward, her manner intimidating, his glance fearsome, his hand on his sword.

PRACTICE: Expand these sentences by adding absolute phrases :

* Madeline accidentally threw Mr. Salsich to the ground.

* Lily said it was her all-time favorite book.

* Asia ran right into the opposing player.