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Tenacious Learner Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Question on 'her hands shaking'
Hi teachers,
I have this sentence in one of my books, 'She opened it, her hands shaking'.
I just don't understand why it doesn't say 'She opened it, her hands were shaking'.
Could you tell me why?
Thanks in advance
I have this sentence in one of my books, 'She opened it, her hands shaking'.
I just don't understand why it doesn't say 'She opened it, her hands were shaking'.
Could you tell me why?
Thanks in advance
Top answer
It is a common construction, a non-finite (participial) adverbial clause. Your version is a comma-splice error.
- It is a common construction, a non-finite (participial) adverbial clause.
- Your version is a comma-splice error.
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11 Answers
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It is a common construction, a non-finite (participial) adverbial clause. Your version is a comma-splice error.
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Mister MicawberIt is a common construction, a non-finite (participial) adverbial clause. Your version is a comma-splice error.Hi Mister Micawber,
Thank you for your reply. I thought the word 'were' was missing. But after your explanation I have no further questions.
It means 'Her hands were shaking while she opened it.'
Best,
TS
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Hi guys,
You could also call this an absolute phrase/clause (see construction underlined below). Perhaps this term is not used by many.
Main clause, noun + modifying phrase
Noun + modifying phrase, main clause.
You could also call this an absolute phrase/clause (see construction underlined below). Perhaps this term is not used by many.
Main clause, noun + modifying phrase
Noun + modifying phrase, main clause.
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Hi,
Thank you for your reply.
Could you give me another example please?
Thank you for your reply.
Could you give me another example please?
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The car was upended, the wheels still spinning and the screams growing louder and louder.
He spoke to the drunken crowd, his hands and voice trembling with fear.
It's a good way to give background information to a sentence, information that is not important enough to be its own sentence.
He spoke to the drunken crowd, his hands and voice trembling with fear.
It's a good way to give background information to a sentence, information that is not important enough to be its own sentence.
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Mister MicawberIt is a common construction, a non-finite (participial) adverbial clause. Your version is a comma-splice error.Hi Mister Micawber,
A couple of questions:
A participle (participal) clause = adverbial clause.
If an adverbial clause is a dependent clause that functions as an adverb, then it contains a subject (explicit or implied) and
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A participle (participal) clause = adverbial clause.-- Some are, some are not.
If an adverbial clause is a dependent clause that functions as an adverb, then it contains a subject (explicit or implied) and a predicate-- OK
and it modifies a verb. Right?- No, more/most are sentence adverbials, I think: they modify the whole main clause.
In this sentence, 'She opened
If an adverbial clause is a dependent clause that functions as an adverb, then it contains a subject (explicit or implied) and a predicate-- OK
and it modifies a verb. Right?- No, more/most are sentence adverbials, I think: they modify the whole main clause.
In this sentence, 'She opened
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Hi Mister Micawber,
Thank YOU for your reply. It's very helpful.
and it modifies a verb. Right?- No, more/most are sentence adverbials, I think: they modify the whole main clause.
That's why you've said, 'She opened it'. Right?
TS
Thank YOU for your reply. It's very helpful.
and it modifies a verb. Right?- No, more/most are sentence adverbials, I think: they modify the whole main clause.
That's why you've said, 'She opened it'. Right?
TS
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