Grammar and Language Workbook

14. The written word is a powerful tool.
15. At your request, I have investigated possible locations for our annual company party.
An 
absolute phrase
consists of a noun or a pronoun that is modified by a participle or a
participial phrase but has no grammatical relation to the rest of the sentence.
Computers having become common, manufacturers report fewer typewriter sales.
(The participial phrase having become common modifies the noun computers.)
The race (being) over, the runners sat in the shade to cool down. (The participle being
is often understood rather than stated.)
 Exercise 2
Underline each absolute phrase.
The young writer having sold her first story, her mentor decided to throw her a party.
1. The adventurer having just climbed Mt. Everest, his book became a best-seller.
2. Mike’s salary was lower, but his take-home pay was higher than at his old job, the insurance
premium being paid by his new employer.
3. We are constantly alert for forest fires, the weather being unusually dry.
4. The early hours being excepted, I love my job at the radio station.
5. The trip having been strenuous and exhausting, I wanted to sleep for days.
6. The game over, we gathered for a party at Coach’s home.
7. Karl being trained in nursing, his application for school security guard was approved.
8. We fought the traffic at rush hour, the appliance store being expected to close at six.
9. The commuter plane having flown over nine hundred miles, the mechanic gave it a thorough
checkup.
10. Father says we must postpone buying a new car, inflation being its worst in years.
11. His hero having succeeded so well, Pedro worked long hours to earn his own degree.
12. We plan to move to a larger city, career opportunities being rare here.