WHAT IS IT?

• • • Often -- not always! -- begins with a possessive pronoun

    • It's sort of like an adjective in how it describes a noun or noun phrase BUT it's a specific noun (or noun phrase) used to modify a noun, noun phrase, or whole sentence.

    • It’s not essential to the sentence structure, so the sentence is grammatically correct without it.

    • It’s often a more focused view or an expansion of the sentence it modifies. (It tells more by narrowing in on a specific detail.)

    • Almost always set off by a comma or a pair of commas.

    • It does not connect to the rest of the sentence with a conjunction.

    • Some absolute modifiers imply the unstated words being or having/was/were

    • Some absolute modifiers may imply the possessive pronoun (e.g. my, her, his)

    • Absolute phrases can come at the beginning, the middle, and at the end of sentences.

Should you use absolute phrases? YES, BUT...

• • • Use them correctly. Some will tell you that this modifying phrase is seldom used, which is true.

    • However, what they fail to mention is that this modifier is a way to bring not only additional meaning to a sentence but also to bring lyricism and rhythm to an otherwise lame sentence.

    • Absolute phrases are one more way to introduce variety into your writing. But if they're used incorrectly, they may leave your readers confused. Be sure that your phrases make sense at the sentence level and make sense in the context of the scene.

Examples

• • Its stars hidden, the South Sioux City night offered a landscape of shadow.

  • His departure a surprise, Eldon left the party-goers wondering if the party atmosphere would return.

  • Ursulla continued her stroll down Main Street, [her] cares abandoned, [her] fears lost.

  • Margaret, [her] heart pounding, lifted a trembling hand to the door knocker.