Lecture 23 Absolute Construction Objectives: I. Types of absolute constructions 2. Uses of absolute construction

Lecture 23 Absolute Construction What is traditionally called absolute construction is essentially a non-finite or verbless clause with an expressed subject of its own. Structurally, absolute construction fall into several types: Those with a noun + different forms of non-finite verb forms as its adverbial.

Lecture 23 Absolute Construction I. Types of absolute constructions 1) a noun + present participle/ 2) a noun+ past participle / 3) a noun + an adjective / 4) noun+ an adverb / 5) a noun + an infinitive / 6) a noun+ a prepositional phrase

Lecture 23 Absolute Construction Absolute construction are commonly used in formal literary language as a sort of rhetorical device which helps to achieve concision in wording and vividness in description.

I. Types of absolute constructions 1) noun (pron.) + present participle phrase -- He groaned and fell to the floor, blood streaming from his nose. -- The storm having destroyed their hut, they had to live in a cave. -- The weather (being) so fine, we decided to go on an outing.

I. Types of absolute constructions noun (pron.) + past participle --John came in, his eyes slightly swollen, and his ears red with cold. -- She lay on her back, her hands crossed under her head. -- All things considered, it is not such a bad bargain.

I. Types of absolute constructions 3) noun (pron.) + adj. (phrase) -- He slowly enters the room, his nose red with cold. --Old Jack sat down, his face pale with pain and traces of tears still on his cheeks.

I. Types of absolute constructions 4) noun (pron.) + adv. (1) He put on his socks wrong side out. (2) The brief summer over, students came back to school again. 5) noun (pron.) + prepositional (phrase) (1) In front of her stood a man, gun in hand. (2) She stood silent, her head slightly on one side … ,

I. Types of absolute constructions 6. noun (pron.) + infinitive (phrase) (1) he proposed a picnic, he himself to pay the railway tickets, and John to provide the food. (2) Here are the first two volumes of the book, the third one to come out next year.

I. Types of absolute constructions Note: Sometimes we use “with + absolute construction” and “without + absolute construction” to show the positive or negative meaning.

I. Types of absolute constructions --Tian An Men Square looks grander then ever with all the lights on. -- The war was over, without a shot being fired. -- Without anyone noticing, I slipped through the window. -- I daren’t go home, without the task finished.

Lecture 11 Absolute Construction 2. Use of absolute construction Like the ordinary non- finite and verbless clauses, “absolute construction” can be used as adverbial of time, cause, condition, manner, as well as accompanying circumstances.

2. Use of absolute construction 1) Adverbial of Time His homework done, Jim decided to go and see the play. 2) Adverbial of Cause --The last bus having gone, we had to walk home. --Her shirt caught on a nail, she could not move.

2. Use of absolute construction 3. Adverbial of Condition No one knows about the matter, present company excepted. 4. Adverbial of Manner or accompanying circumstances He sat at the table, head down, pen in hand, ready to begin the long letter.

Exercise： 1.The sale usually takes place outside the house, with the audience ______ on the benches, chairs or boxes. (CET 2000,1 ,46) having seated B. seated C. seating D. having been seated 2. _______ in this way, the situation doesn’t seem so disappointing. (CET 2000,1 ,68) To look at B. Looking at C. Looked at D. To be looked at

3.________ as it was at such a time, his work attracted much attention. (CET 1996,1 ,26) A. Being published B. Published C. Publishing D. To be published 4. ________ the earth to be flat, many feared that Columbus would fall of the edge of the earth. (CET 1996,6 ,22) A. Having believed B. Believing C. Believed D. Being believed

5. After the Arab states won independence, great emphasis was laid on expanding education, with girls as well as boys ______ to go to school. (CET 1997,1 ,26) A. to be encouraged B. been encouraged C. being encouraged D. be encouraged 6. ________ it or not, his discovery has created a stir in scientific circle (CET 1996,1 , 49) A. Believe B. To believe C. Believing D. Believed

7. ________ , a man who expresses himself effectively is sure to succeed more rapidly than a man whose command of language is poor. (CET 1997,6 ,56) A. Other things being equal B. Were other things equal C. To be equal to other things D. Other things to be equal 8. All things________, the planned trip will have to be called off. A. considered B. be considered C. considering D. having considered

9. _______ , he can now only watch it on TV at home. A, Obtaining not a ticket for the match B. Not obtaining a ticket for the match C. Not having obtained a ticket for the match D. Not obtained a ticket for the match 10. _______ no cause for alarm, the old man went back to his bed-room.( TEM-4,1996) A. There was B. Since C Being D. There being Answer: 1-5BCBBC 6-10 AAACD