Absolute construction

Question

Hi, In all possible outcomes, the warming over land would be roughly twice the global average, and the warming in the Arctic greater still.Is it OK to change the underlined part to absoulte constructions, as shown below?A: In all possible outcomes, the warming over land would be roughly twice the global average, with the warming in the Arctic greater still.B: In all possible outcomes, the warming over land would be roughly twice the global average, the warming in the Arctic greater still.I'd appreciate your help.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

jooneyIs it OK to change the underlined part to absoulte constructions, as shown below?

Yes. I would say so. To my ear, however, those with the absolute constructions are stylistically weaker. Just my opinion.

CJ

Jooney · Answer

Thank you for your reply, CJ.

Those with the absolute constructions are stylistically weaker.

Q1) Could you explain this in a little more detail?

A: Kim is an engineer and Pat is a barrister.(basic coordination)
B: Kim is an engineer and Pat a __ barrister.(gapped coordination)

Q2) In what situations do you prefer to use A over B or vice versa?

CalifJim · Answer

jooneyThose with the absolute constructions are stylistically weaker.

This is merely my opinion, and it refers only to the examples you provided. It is not a general condemnation of absolute constructions!

Also, as far as I know, your questions do not contain absolute constructions, so I don't see the relevance of your header in blue to the two questions you asked. Are those gapped coordination constructions also considered absolute constructions these days?

jooneyQ1) Could you explain this in a little more detail?A: Kim is an engineer and Pat is a barrister.(basic coordination)B: Kim is an engineer and Pat a __ barrister.(gapped coordination)

Explain "this". What's "this"? Gapped coordination? It's leaving out the verb in a clause (and possibly other elements) when it's connected to a previous clause by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or).

She gave Lucy a sweater and __ ___Susan a skirt. (she gave)
Lucy got a sweater, and Susan ___ a skirt. (got)
Democrats voted for the measure, but Republicans ____ against __ ______.

jooneyQ2) In what situations do you prefer to use A over B or vice versa?

I generally prefer B, but when writing on this forum, especially to an ESL student who is not yet very familiar with English, I try to remember to use A because B can be confusing for beginners.

CJ

Jooney · Answer

I think I wrote the first question in such a way that made you completely confused.

The first question had to do with the comment you made in your first reply.

To my ear, however, those with the absolute constructions are stylistically weaker.

I wanted to know why you said they were stylistically weaker than the gapped construction in the original example.

I apologize for not making my question clearer. Thank you for your help.

CalifJim · Answer

jooneythe gapped construction in the original example.

Oh! I had already forgotten that the original example has a gapped construction!

Let me know if there is anything more you would like discuss about these examples and I'll try to pay closer attention.

CJ

Jooney · Answer

It was my fault, CJ.  My questions should have been more carefully constructed.   I appreciate your help, as always.<img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

Absolute construction

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