Absolute construction

I mean kind of construction.

Could you please give an example?

The elevator being broken, the employees had to walk.

An example from my module.

Thanks!

Because the elevator was broken, the employees had to walk/use the stairs.
The elevator being broken, the employees had to walk/use the stairs.

These mean roughly the same - "due to the fact that the elevator was broken, the employees...".

If "absolute construction" refers to the use of "being," and possibly "having," then it seems you could use it in place of most subordinate clauses introduced by "since" or "because."

"I stayed home from school today because I have the flu."
"Having the flu, I stayed home from school today."

"Since we can't afford to buy food in the market, we're growing our own."
"(Bein

alda1119When do we use this?

Probably more than 95% of these constructions are found in fictional literature. It is much more literary than it is conversational. So the answer is, "We use this when we are writing a novel". You may also need to use this in an English class, merely to show that you understand it.

AvangiIf "absolute construction" refers to the use of "being," and possibly "having,"

No. See my response.

Avangi"I stayed home from school today because I have the flu."

This might become something like this:

I stayed home from school today, the flu having laid me low.

Avangi"Since we can't

Thanks, Jim. I think I've got it.
He stood there, hair parted.

Why do they call it "absolute"?

What would you call it if you used a simple adjective instead of a participle?

He stood there, gun ready. vs. He stood there, gun drawn.

- A.

AvangiWhat would you call it if you used a simple adjective instead of a participle?

Gosh! I don't know. Now I have to google some more! I'll try to get back to you by next year. Or ... maybe you could find out and tell me!

Perfect! Muchas gracias!

(I thought you had all these things in your heart.)