How To Build Sentences Using Absolute Phrases
The absolute phase is one of the least common modifiers you will find. Despite that, it’s also one of the most useful.
An absolute phrase is a group of words that modify an entire sentence. Contrast this to adjectives and adverbs that normally wield their ability to change meaning in individual words.
It usually consists of a noun plus one other word at a minimum, as in “BA Baracus drove the van into the fence, his gang of bandits screaming in protest the whole time.” Looking at that sentence, you can see how the entire second phrase right after the comma changes the entirety of the scene. That’s an example of an absolute phrase.
Absolute phrases let use move from a description of a whole event (or person or place or thing) down to one or more of their parts. It’s a way to change the meaning of a sentence creatively – one that many beginning writers can use to improve their own work.
Many sentences can be converted into one that uses an absolute phrase. While we don’t recommend doing it with every single one in your writing, using this several times can help lend your work with some creativity that makes it read better. Provided, of course, that you basic writing mechanics don’t stink. We have software for writing improvement that can handle that, though. Make sure to use it.