|
A "nominative absolute" is a free-standing (absolute) 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. Its parallel is the ablative
absolute so loved by Latin scholars.
A way to remember or determine what constitutes a nominative absolute is to add a verb. You can always create a sentence out
of a nominative absolute with one verb.
Their manes flowing, the horses ran from the burning barn. Nominative absolute: "Their manes flowing." Add a verb: "Their
manes were flowing."
Stephen, his mind taxed, searched frantically for a dictionary. Nominative absolute: "his mind taxed" Add a verb: "His mind
was taxed."
Similarly, you can break the absolute off, add a verb and make two sentences. ("Stephen searched frantically for a dictionary.
His mind was taxed.") This versatility is one reason why nominative absolutes are not as widely used as their Latin counterparts
(in their respective languages). However, if you're looking to shorten a sentence or do a little creative modifying, the
nominative absolute is the absolute for you.
-- Aly Ark
|