Absolute clause

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Teo

#204786 Fri, 10 Mar 06 02:35 AM

The work having been finished, the gardener came to ask for payment.

For me, the absolute clause is ambiguous, what on earth does it mean?

1. Since the work had been finished,

2. When the work had been finished,

3. After the work had been finished,

Can anyone hel me?

Teo

Joined on Tue, Sep 28 2004

Taiwan

Contributing Member (1,631)

Thank you very much for your reply.

Clauses

paco2004

#204789 Fri, 10 Mar 06 03:00 AM

Hi Teo

I take it as "when the work had been finished". But I think, it doesn't differ semantically from "after the work was finished", because the past perfect tense is used.

paco

paco2004

Joined on Wed, Nov 17 2004

Senior Member (4,095)

In Japan today even dogs are learning how to bow-wow in English.

Tenses, Past Perfect