Absolute phrases or clauses?

Question

Hi, everyone.

Could you tell me whether the parts in bold are called absolute phrases or clauses?

Their reputation as winners secured by victory, the New York Liberty charged into the semifinals.

The season nearly finished, Rebecca Lobo and Sophie Witherspoon emerged as true leaders.

Thanks!

Ann321 · Accepted Answer

Clause: Their reputation as winners secured by victory, - Clause - because it contains a subject and a verb

Clause: The season nearly finished - Clause - because it contains a subject and a verb.

See: https://tinyurl.com/y4633qs3

CalifJim · Answer

silak12Could you tell me whether the parts in bold are called absolute phrases or clauses?

I could, and they are.

Present participles are more common in these constructions, but your past participles here (secured, finished) will do just as well.

(Some grammarians would call The season nearly finished a "small clause".)

CJ

After reading BillJ's reply I see that I misinterpreted "phrases or clauses". They are clauses; however, you may find traditional reference materials which call them phrases. That's why I said yes, they are called phrases or clauses. Depending what you read, they might be called phrases or they might be called clauses.

CJ

BillJ · Answer

They are absolute clauses, as I explained to you yesterday, here:

https://www.englishforums.com/English/IveFoundAStrangeSentence/2/xpcnc/post.htm#sc2601923

What is it that you still don't understand?

Absolute phrases or clauses?

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