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Anonymous Posted 13 years ago
Grammar
clarification about usage of participle (absolute phrase))
I found the following sentences in my grammar text book.
1. The enemy, beaten at every point, fled from the field.
2. The traveler, being weary, sat by the woodside to rest.
My book tells that in the first sentence beaten (past participle) is used to qualify the noun enemy. However in the second sentence being weary (present participle) is used absolutely. I felt that both participles are used absolutely. Could you tell me whether I am wrong? I would also like to know more about absolute usage of participle.
1. The enemy, beaten at every point, fled from the field.
2. The traveler, being weary, sat by the woodside to rest.
My book tells that in the first sentence beaten (past participle) is used to qualify the noun enemy. However in the second sentence being weary (present participle) is used absolutely. I felt that both participles are used absolutely. Could you tell me whether I am wrong? I would also like to know more about absolute usage of participle.
Top answer
To me, both structures are grammatically identical. It's the participial phrase which functions as a modifier, or qualifier. They both modify the subjects of their respective sentences.
- To me, both structures are grammatically identical.
- It's the participial phrase which functions as a modifier, or qualifier.
- They both modify the subjects of their respective sentences.
- You can move the participial phrases to the beginnings of the sentences, and nothing changes.
- Of course "being" is derived from a "very special" verb, but it's still capable of fronting a participial phrase.
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1 Answers
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To me, both structures are grammatically identical.
It's the participial phrase which functions as a modifier, or qualifier.
They both modify the subjects of their respective sentences.
You can move the participial phrases to the beginnings of the sentences, and nothing changes.
Of course "being" is derived from a "very special" verb, but it's still capable of fr
It's the participial phrase which functions as a modifier, or qualifier.
They both modify the subjects of their respective sentences.
You can move the participial phrases to the beginnings of the sentences, and nothing changes.
Of course "being" is derived from a "very special" verb, but it's still capable of fr
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