Absolute construction
Encyclopedia
In linguistics, an absolute construction is a grammatical construction
involving a non-finite clause
that is subordinate
in form and modifies an entire sentence, but has no syntactic link to its main clause. The term absolute derives from Latin absolūtum, meaning "loosened from" or "separated".
Because the non-finite clause, called the absolute clause (or simply the absolute), is not semantically attached to any single element in the sentence, it is easily confused with a dangling participle. The difference is that the participial phrase of a dangling participle is intended to modify a particular noun, but is instead erroneously attached to a different noun, whereas a participial phrase serving as an absolute clause is not intended to modify any noun at all.
:
In this example, "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State" serves as the absolute clause. Use of this construction to introduce a justification clause was not unusual during the time the amendment was written, but because of its unfamiliarity to present-day English speakers, this interpretation is somewhat contentious.
While the absolute construction is not particularly common in modern English and is generally more often seen in writing than in speech, it may be spoken as one of several fixed expressions:
; for this reason they are referred to as ablative absolutes. An ablative absolute describes some general circumstance under which the action of a sentence occurs. When translated into English, ablative absolutes are often translated as "with [noun] [participle]":
Grammatical construction
In linguistics, a grammatical construction is any syntactic string of words ranging from sentences over phrasal structures to certain complex lexemes, such as phrasal verbs....
involving a non-finite clause
Non-finite clause
In linguistics, a non-finite clause is a dependent clause whose verb is non-finite; for example, many languages can form non-finite clauses from infinitives...
that is subordinate
Dependent clause
In linguistics, a dependent clause is a clause that augments an independent clause with additional information, but which cannot stand alone as a sentence. Dependent clauses modify the independent clause of a sentence or serve as a component of it...
in form and modifies an entire sentence, but has no syntactic link to its main clause. The term absolute derives from Latin absolūtum, meaning "loosened from" or "separated".
Because the non-finite clause, called the absolute clause (or simply the absolute), is not semantically attached to any single element in the sentence, it is easily confused with a dangling participle. The difference is that the participial phrase of a dangling participle is intended to modify a particular noun, but is instead erroneously attached to a different noun, whereas a participial phrase serving as an absolute clause is not intended to modify any noun at all.
English
A notable example of an absolute construction in English is the sentence composing the Second Amendment to the United States ConstitutionSecond Amendment to the United States Constitution
The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution is the part of the United States Bill of Rights that protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms. It was adopted on December 15, 1791, along with the rest of the Bill of Rights.In 2008 and 2010, the Supreme Court issued two Second...
:
In this example, "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State" serves as the absolute clause. Use of this construction to introduce a justification clause was not unusual during the time the amendment was written, but because of its unfamiliarity to present-day English speakers, this interpretation is somewhat contentious.
While the absolute construction is not particularly common in modern English and is generally more often seen in writing than in speech, it may be spoken as one of several fixed expressions:
- Barring bad weather, we plan to go to the beach tomorrow.
- All things considered, it's not a bad idea.
Latin
Absolute clauses appear in Latin with the modifying participle in the ablative caseAblative case
In linguistics, ablative case is a name given to cases in various languages whose common characteristic is that they mark motion away from something, though the details in each language may differ...
; for this reason they are referred to as ablative absolutes. An ablative absolute describes some general circumstance under which the action of a sentence occurs. When translated into English, ablative absolutes are often translated as "with [noun] [participle]":
- Urbe capta, Aeneas fugit.
With the city captured, Aeneas fled.
See also
- Ablative absolute
- Accusative absoluteAccusative absoluteThe accusative absolute is a grammatical construction found in some languages. It is an absolute construction found in the accusative case.-Greek:...
- Genitive absoluteGenitive absoluteIn Ancient Greek grammar, the genitive absolute is a grammatical construction consisting of a participle and often a noun which are both in the genitive case, very similar to the ablative absolute in Latin...
- Nominative absoluteNominative absoluteIn English grammar, a nominative absolute is a free-standing part of a sentence that describes or modifies the main subject and verb. It is usually at the beginning or end of the sentence, although it can also appear in the middle...