Absolute phrase意思

An absolute phrase, also known as an absolute construction or an absolute clause, is a phrase that modifies the entire sentence it's attached to, rather than just a single word or a noun within the sentence. It consists of a noun or noun phrase and a participle (usually a past participle or present participle) and its modifiers, and it does not have a grammatical relationship with the rest of the sentence.

An absolute phrase is separated from the rest of the sentence by commas and does not have a subject that refers to the same entity as the main sentence. Instead, it provides additional information about the sentence's content, often focusing on a different aspect or adding a detail that is not directly related to the main clause's subject.

Here's an example of an absolute phrase:

"The meeting was cancelled, the chairs stacked neatly in the corner."

In this sentence, "the chairs stacked neatly in the corner" is the absolute phrase. It provides additional information about the meeting being cancelled but does not modify any specific noun in the sentence. It simply paints a picture of the scene, adding detail to the overall context of the cancelled meeting.

Absolute phrases are often used to create vivid descriptions or to provide background information that enhances the reader's understanding of the main clause without being directly integrated into its structure.