Bài giảng Tiếng Anh - Differences betweenAbsolute and Present/Past Participle Phrases - Trương Văn Ánh

Nội dung text: Bài giảng Tiếng Anh - Differences betweenAbsolute and Present/Past Participle Phrases - Trương Văn Ánh

1. Differences between Absolute and Present/Past Participle Phrases Trương Văn Ánh Trường Đại học Sài Gòn
2. A complex sentence has two clauses: a main clause and a subordinate clause. The subordinate clause (often adverb clause) may be reduced to a phrase. When the subjects in the two clauses are the same (person/thing), the subordinate clause is reduced to a present participle phrase (active meaning) or a past participle phrase (passive meaning).
3. When the subjects in the two clauses are different persons/things, the subordinate clause is reduced to an absolute phrase. The absolute phrase may be a present participle (active meaning) or a past participle phrase (passive meaning). In a present participle phrase or a past participle phrase, the subject is omitted. However, in an absolute phrase, the subject remains. The conjunctions may remain or disappear.
4. When the wife came home, she prepared dinner. ➢Coming home, the wife prepared dinner. A present participle phrase When the husband came home, the wife prepared dinner. ➢The husband coming home, the wife prepared dinner. An Absolute phrase
5. When the mother ape was wounded on the ground, the mother ape felt painful. ➢Wounded on the ground, the mother ape felt painful. A present participle phrase When the young ape was wounded on the ground, the mother ape felt painful. ➢The young ape wounded on the ground, the mother ape felt painful. An Absolute phrase
6. When the palanquin was loaded, we took a rest. Adverb clause The palanquin loaded, we took a rest. Absolute phrase
7. Notes: At school students are not allowed to reduce subordinate clauses to phrases when the subjects are different in the two clauses. However, in the texts written by native people, absolute phrases can be seen abundantly. Teachers of English should teach our students how to use absolute phrases.
8. Good luck!