Absolute & Prepositional Phrases SKILLS 3 & 4

Skill 3: Absolute Phrase Definition: Sentence parts that describe/modify the rest of the sentence in which they appear Absolute phrases are almost complete sentences You can make any absolute phrase a sentence by adding was or were Example: His mind racing uncontrollably  His mind was racing uncontrollably

Absolute Phrases Another way to identify an absolute is that many absolutes begin with words: my, his, her, its, our, their (possessive pronouns) Absolute phrases can be removed from sentence without affecting the grammatical integrity of sentence Often set off from sentence with commas Often a combination of noun + participle/participial phrase (or other modifiers)

ExampleS For many immigrants learning English, the language introduces them to American culture. Their future more secure, these citizens will make room for new arrivals. Geraldine Ferraro accepted the nomination as a candidate for Vice President, her face beaming.

Noun + Participial Phrase Babe Ruth leads all major league baseball players in career slugging percentage, Ted Williams and Ty Cobb having been better hitters for average than for power. On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his famous 95 Theses to the door of the castle-church in Wittenburg, this flashpoint igniting a Reformation that would transform religion in the Western World.

NouN + Modifiers Virginia Woolf refused to publish the novel Ulysses through her own Hogarth Press, a slight that Joyce never forgave. Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II famously criticized the opera The Marriage of Figaro for having “too many notes”, a slight that, in the eyes of subsequent generations, reveals how little he appreciated the full range of Mozart‘s genius.

Quick Exercise A vacancy occurred. Sandra Day O’ Connor was appointed the first female Supreme Court Justice. (hint: noun + participial) A vacancy having occurred, Sandra Day O’Connor was appointed the first female Supreme Court justice. The election was over. Nancy Pelosi became the first female Speaker of the House of Representatives. (hint: complete absolute phrases?) The election over, Nancy Pelosi became the first female Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Location His hands raw, he reached a flat place at the top. (Richard Connell, “The Most Dangerous Game”) Miss Hearne, her face burning, hardly listened to these words. (Brian Moore, The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne) High in the air, a little figure, his hands thrust in his short jacket pockets, stood staring out to sea. (Katherine Mansfield, “The Voyager”) He walked with a prim strut, swinging out his legs in a half-circle with each step, his heels biting smartly into the red velvet carpet on the floor. (Carson McCullers, “The Jockey”)

Practice 1: Unscrambling 1. while Buck struggled in fury then the rope tightened mercilessly and his great chest panting his tongue lolling out of his mouth Answer: Then the rope tightened mercilessly while Buck struggled in fury, his tongue lolling out of his mouth and his great chest panting.

Practice 3: Combining Model: The electric train was there waiting, all the lights on. A. The youngest brother was nearby. B. He was resting. C. All his work was over. Answer: The youngest brother was nearby resting, all his work was over.

Homework Practice 1: Unscrambling Unscramble the sentences. Practice 3: Combining and Modeling For each problem: 1) Combine the sentences using absolute phrase(s). 2) Then write your own imitating sentence.

Skill 4: Prepositional phrase Definition: Sentence parts that describe people, things or actions Functions Use nouns in phrases to act as modifiers—either adjectives or adverbs As modifiers, prepositional phrases add depth and detail to sentences Will never be “necessary” for the grammar of a complete sentence Common prepositions In, before, after, at, down, across, inside, outside, between, within, behind, under, on, around, through, except, without, with, toward, of, by for Uses: Single, Consecutive, Openers, S/V Splits, Closers

Prepositional Phrase Uses Single Prepositional Phrase In that place, the wind prevailed At the bottom, he looked glumly down the tunnel Consecutive Prepositional Phrases In a hole in the ground, there lived a hobbit. Across the street from their house, in an empty lot between two houses, stood the rock pile.

Prepositional Phrase Uses Sentence Openers Like a lean, gray wolf, he moved silently and easily. Through the fence, between the curling flower spaces, I could see them hitting. Subject/Verb Splits Bearded men, in sad-colored garments and gray, steeple-crowned hats, intermixed with women. Sentence Closers The sea is high again today, with a thrilling flush of wind.

More Information Components: Preposition: the word that connects Object(s) of the Preposition: the noun or pronoun connected by the preposition Example: In the summer; except the best students; all but one; to the lighthouse Variations: Compound Prepositions: 2+ prepositions with same object(s) Example: Jesuit students work for and are attentive to the needs of others. Compound Objects: 2+ objects with same preposition(s) Example: Jesuit students work toward personal growth and social progress.

Prepositional Phrases as Adjectives Modify nouns or pronouns Tell what kind or which type Look for preposition, object of preposition, and what the prepositional phrase modifies Example: All children, except one, grow up. Preposition: except Object of Prep.: one Modified: children (which) They have no memory of tears or laughter, of sorrow or loving kindness. Preposition: of; of Object of Prep.: tears or laughter; sorrow or loving kindness Modified: memory (what kinds)

Prepositional Phrases as Adverbs Modify adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs Tell when, where, why, how, how often, to what extent Example: At half past six on a Friday evening in January, Lincoln International Airport was functioning, with difficulty. Modifiers: At half past six: was functioning (when/why) on a Friday evening: was functioning (when/why) in January: was functioning (when/why) with difficulty: was functioning (how)

Practice 1: Unscrambling 1. A) across the ripples B) it was morning C) and the new sun sparkled gold D) of a gentle sea Answer: It was morning, and the new sun sparkled gold across the ripples of a gentle sea. 2. A) the boy felt good B) in his mouth C) of ham and biscuit D) with the flavor Answer: With the flavor of ham and biscuit in his mouth, the boy felt good.

Practice 2: Imitating Model: The aftermath of the shooting was a three-ring circus, with the governor in one ring, with the prison in another, and with poor brain-blasted Percy Wetmore in the third (Stephen King, The Green Mile) 1. A. near the canal by the old barn B. is a mile from the interstate C. the nature trail D. and near the old abandoned post office across from the church on Front Street E. near the historic museum in the 19th century village Answer: The nature trail is a mile from the interstate, near the canal by the old barn, near the historic museum in the 19th century village, and near the old abandoned post office across from the church on Front Street.

Class Assignment + Homework Practice 1 Practice 2 Practice 3 Steinbeck Passage

Practice 3: Combining Model: Without a pause, I rushed up to the east window and scrambled down the wall, as I had done before, into the Count’s room. (Bram Stoker, Dracula) A. He did something in a hurry. B. He ran down to the cafeteria and got into the line. C. He did this as he had done daily. D. The line he got into was for fast food. Answer: In a hurry, he ran down to the cafeteria and got into the line, as he had done daily, for fast food.

Find the Prepositions The trip began like any other. The van headed down the highway toward the base of the mountain. Within an hour, we had arrived at the foot of the mountain, and we began our ascent toward the summit. The heavily loaded van moved at a snail’s pace up the mountain on a narrow, winding road. By noon, we had arrived at the summit, so we stopped for lunch, rather pleased at the uneventful progress we were making. The views from the summit were breathtaking.

Find the Prepositions Answers The trip began like any other. The van headed down the highway toward the base of the mountain. Within an hour, we had arrived at the foot of the mountain, and we began our ascent toward the summit. The heavily loaded van moved at a snail’s pace up the mountain on a narrow, winding road. By noon, we had arrived at the summit, so we stopped for lunch, rather pleased at the uneventful progress we were making. The views from the summit were breathtaking.