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Absolute Phrase Worksheet
Read 30 minutes
Copy the following in your Table of Contents:
9/27/16
Absolute Phrase Examples
20
Then, glue the handout I’ve left for you on page 20 of your notebook.
Absolute Phrases:
● Can be made into a sentence by adding “is/was” or
“are/were”
● Should create STRONG IMAGES
● Often contains a possessive noun or pronoun (my, your,
his, her, its, our, their)
● Is offset by commas
Painting with Absolute Phrases
Compare and contrast the sentences below.
She counted to ten.
Eyes covered, she counted to ten.
She counted to ten, anticipation growing.
Painting with Absolute Phrases
To “paint” with an absolute, add a two-word combination:
a noun and an ing verb OR a noun and an ed verb.
Absolute: noun + ing verb OR noun + ed verb
Examples:
Eyes watering, the chef sliced the onion.
Brian wandered into the woods, a map folded in his
back pocket.
Painting with Absolute Phrases
Sentence with no absolute:
The candlelight created a romantic atmosphere.
Sentence with an absolute:
Flames glowing, the candlelight created a romantic
atmosphere.
Sentence with an absolute phrase:
Flames glowing at the center of the table, the
candlelight created a romantic atmosphere.
Painting with Absolute Phrases
Sentence with no absolute phrase:
Ethan climbed the rock wall.
Sentence with one absolute phrases:
Ethan climbed the rock wall, sweat dripping from his
forehead.
Sentence with two absolute phrases:
Ethan climbed the rock wall, sweat dripping from his
forehead, heart pounding in his chest.
Painting with Absolute Phrases
Absolutes can begin a sentence:
Music blaring from his iPod, the apathetic student
ignored his assignment.
Absolutes can interrupt a sentence:
The apathetic student, music blaring from his iPod,
ignored his assignment.
Absolutes can end a sentence:
The apathetic student ignored his assignment, music
blaring from his iPod.
Painting with Absolute Phrases
Examples of absolutes from literature:
Her feet touching the side of the stone tower
and her hands grasping the rope, Violet closed
her eyes and began to climb.
—Lemony Snicket, The Bad Beginning
Painting with Absolute Phrases
Examples of absolutes from literature:
The riders stiffened, eyes flashing from side to
side, then wheeled their mounts around and
galloped away.
—Christopher Paolini, Eragon
Painting with Absolute Phrases
Imitate with absolutes
“I bet they were cool old’ guys,” he said, his
eyes glowing.
Your turn:
“Come here,” she said, _____________________.
Painting with Absolute Phrases
Imitate with absolutes
Tail flying, the young dog gave chase.
Your turn:
________________, Bobby ran towards his house.
Painting with Absolute Phrases
Imitate with absolutes
Calvin, his hand trembling, did not relax his
hold.
Your turn:
The dogs, __________________, ran to their masters.