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Taka Posted 19 years ago
Grammar

absorbed

What stands out is the number of people staring at the screens of their cell phones, absorbed in pressing the keys.

About 'absorbed in...', is it:

(1) people staring at...+people absorbed in...
(i.e. The 'absorbed in...' modifies 'people')
or
(2) staring at...., absorbed in...
(i.e. The 'absorbed in...' is adverbial; the people stares at the screen, absorbed in pressing the keys; it modifies 'satring at...')

In my opinion, it's #2, but I'm not sure on this one...
  

Top answer

same people are staring and are absorbed

— Marius Hancu

  • same people are staring and are absorbed
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8 Answers
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same people are staring and are absorbed
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What stands out is the number of people staring at the screens of their cell phones, who( people are) are absorbed in pressing the keys.

edited: sorry Marius I didn't see your post.
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What stands out is the number of people (who are) staring at the screens of their cell phones, (because/while they are) absorbed in pressing the keys.


As I see it, the phrase 'absorbed in pressing the
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TakaWhat stands out is the number of people staring at the screens of their cell phones, absorbed in pressing the keys.
The way I see it: who are absorbed in...

In other words, I consider it a relative clause equivalent.

CB
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Hmm...so far, it seems that Yankee (and maybe Maple too?) is the only one who has the same idea as mine...
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Hi Taka,

I agree with those that consider it as adverbial although, unlike Yankee, I feel it expresses 'how' rather than 'why' the people are staring.

Imagine you are looking at a scene such as this. Look at those people over there with their phones. Look at how they are behaving. Their heads are down and they are not paying any attention to their surround
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Thank you, Clive!
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