In Nominative^x, Constructions^x, Grammar^x

I think the point is that an 'absolute' construction modifies the whole sentence, whereas a participle construction modifies the subject. Thus: Dinner being ready, we all went downstairs - Absolute construction (we didn't necessarily prepare the dinner) Having prepared dinner, we...

I don't. Once in a great while maybe. But I do see it fairly often in literature -- Dickens, Hardy, or Melville, perhaps. Sometimes they even leave out the participle! The dinner ready, everyone sat down to eat. The chairman at the podium, a hush descended upon the assembly. The tiger...

Yes, it is. This is otherwise referred to in grammar as ABSOLUTE CONSTRUCTION. By definition, it is a reduced adjective or adverb clause that functions as sentence modifier indicating time and causality. This type of construction is commonly used more in writing than in speaking. I hope I've...

An example would be, 'The regulation included monthly and hourly rates, daily rates having been omitted.' The five-word phrase at the end of this sentence comprises a participle with its own subject or nominative. I forget why it is called 'absolute'. The only book I know that mentions the...

If it is commonly used by native writers and speakers, that seems a good enough reason for calling it standard. Meaning is derived from consensus, after all. However there is a difference between how native speakers use their language, and how some people think they should use their language....

CalifJim wrote: If a student points to some construction and asks me if it's the subjunctive or not, I can't reply, 'No, it's a monkey!' Now there you are wrong! You are the teacher and can say any dang thing you want! In fact a smart retort like that might go a long way toward making your...

Another kind of illegitimate argument is based on analogy between one area of grammar and another. consider yet another construction where there is variation between nominative and accusative forms of pronouns: , where the subject has the form of a coordination of pronouns. This shows us not...

??I want that you clean up your room this instant! It would not surprise me to learn that it was possible in some NAmE Englishes. Some Romance language speaking immigrants may speak it. Quote from Everything2 : The Subjunctive Mood of English After verbs which formerly...

http://pinker.wjh.harvard.edu/articles/media/1994_01_24_thenewrepublic.html Probably no "grammatical error" has received as much scorn as "misuse" of pronoun case inside conjunctions (phrases with two parts joined by is an object that requires object case, it does not mean that is an...

People sometimes refer to the CGEL on this site. Conveniently, some sample chapters from this publication are now online at CGEL sample chapters The preliminary chapter includes the odd lapse of logic. This is one of the first. Apologies for the fairly lengthy quotation: Another kind of...