Subject Code English 1 Communication Arts I and Philippine Literature in English

Module Code 21.0 Phrases

Lesson Code 21.4 Nominative Absolute
Time Limit 30 minutes

Components Time Allotment Actual Time Allotted

Target 1 minute

Hook 2 minutes

Ignite 10 minutes

Navigate 16 minutes

Knot 1 minute

STUDENT’S COPY

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 TARGET
By the end of this module, the learner should be able to:
✔ define nominative absolute;
✔ determine the nominative absolute in sentences; and
✔ Use phrases in descriptive writing.

HOOK
Certain words and phrases are valuable in descriptive writing. Words that relate to the senses (touch,
hearing, smell, sight, taste). These words give vividness in your writing and the reader can easily imagine
what is being described.
Each of us has experiences we cannot forget. They remain in our imagination and we can look back to
certain experiences as though they happened yesterday.
In the following exercise, choose one thing (it can be animal, and object, event, or person). Describe
what you have in four sentences using words that are related to your senses. Answers need not be
submitted to your teacher.

Words pertaining to the senses are effective in descriptive writing. In this module, we will add to our
knowledge of words that describe and focus on the nominative absolute.
Here are a few of the reasons why descriptive writing is important:
1. It helps you develop the skill of being aware of your five senses when you want to paint a picture
of persons, places, events that can help your reader appreciate fully.
2. It makes your writing more interesting.
3. It catches the attention of your readers.

We are going to emphasize the importance of nominative absolutes in descriptive writing.

IGNITE
NOMINATIVE ABSOLUTE: A REVIEW
What is a nominative absolute? How does it improve the way you write?
A nominative absolute is a phrase consisting of a noun or pronoun and a modifier. The modifier is
usually a participle or a participial phrase. The nominative absolute is also called an absolute phrase
or absolute construction.
The nominative absolute can be identified easily in a sentence. It is set by a comma and does not
change the meaning of a sentence if it is removed. This kind of construction in grammar is used to
adverbially modify a sentence, adding extra information.

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Examples
1. The article was rewritten, the editor having criticized the inconsistencies in the story lead.
“The article was rewritten” is still a complete sentence even if you take out the italicized words.
2. Duncan, having won five championships with the Spurs, the team retired No.21.
“The team retired No.21” is still a sentence without the phrase Duncan, having won five
championships with the Spurs.

NOTE: The italicized and underlined phrases are nominative absolutes. They are not necessary in
expressing a complete idea in the sentences, but they give more information and details.

WHEN TO USE THE NOMINATIVE ABSOLUTE

1. To express time
A year having passed, the schools opened again.

2. To express cause
Her interest waning, she lost her focus.
3. To express conditional meaning
Weather permitting, we are going on a picnic.

NAVIGATE
NON-GRADED FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT: Adding Nominative Absolute or Absolute
Phrase to a Sentence

Instructions: The following song is a very popular Christmas song by Jose Mari Chan. Some of the
sentences are italicized. Understand the italicized sentences and supply your own absolute
nominative to make the sentences vivid and more descriptive. Answers may vary. (Answers need
not to be submitted to the teacher but can be discussed during the synchronous meeting.)
Christmas in Our Hearts
by Jose Mari Chan

Whenever I see girls and boys

Selling lanterns on the streets

I remember the Child

In the manger as He sleeps

Whenever there are people

Giving gifts exchanging cards

I believe that Christmas

Is truly in their hearts

Let's light our Christmas trees

For a bright tomorrow

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Where nations are at peace

And all are one in God.

CHORUS:

Let's sing "Merry Christmas

And a happy holiday"

This season, may we never forget

The love we have for Jesus

Let Him be the One to guide us

As another new year starts

And may the spirit of Christmas

Be always in our hearts

In every prayer and every song

The community unites

Celebrating the birth

Of our Savior Jesus Christ

Let love, like that starlight

On that first Christmas morn

Lead us back to the manger

Where Christ the Child was born

So, come let us rejoice

Come and sing the Christmas carol

With one big joyful voice

Proclaim the name of the Lord

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 KNOT
THINGS TO REMEMBER

• A nominative absolute, also called absolute phrase or absolute construction, is a phrase

that adds details or information in a sentence.
• Without the nominative absolute, the sentence is still grammatically complete.
• A nominative absolute can be used to express time, cause, or conditional meaning. It is
one method of giving clarity and vividness in descriptive writing.

When we describe something or someone in writing, we usually use the usual descriptive word -
adjectives and other words that pertain to our five senses. However, there is another way of making
our sentences more vivid and engaging to our readers - adding nominative absolutes or absolute
phrases to your sentences. Absolute phrases may not be necessary in writing grammatically correct
sentences but they go a long way in adding details and information. Since the purpose of descriptive
writing is to make the reader form an image in his or her mind about what you are describing,
details and complete information is valuable.

Descriptive writing is a powerful tool when engaging readers. And with the proper use of the
absolute nominatives, you can create an image in your readers that is as close as possible to what
you are describing.

References:

1. Christmas in our hearts (Chan, J.) Retrieved from

https://www.allthelyrics.com/lyrics/jose_mari_chan/christmas_in_our_heart-lyrics-219479.html
2. Nominative absolutes (n.d.)
Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/absolute-phrase-grammar-1689049
3. Nominative absolutes (n.d.) Retrieved from https://ifioque.com/phrases/nominative-absolute
4. Nominative phrases (n.d.)
Retrieved from https://www.english-grammar-today.com/nominative-phrases.html

Prepared by: Reviewed by:

MA. PAZ G. MONTERO FLORALIE L. INAYAN

Special Science Teacher II Special Science Teacher II
Western Visayas Campus Western Visayas Campus

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