nominative absolute

noun

, Grammar.

1. a construction consisting in English of a noun, noun phrase, or pronoun in the nominative case followed by a predicate lacking a finite verb, used as a loose modifier of the whole sentence, as the play done in The play done, the audience left the theater.

Word History and Origins

Origin of nominative absolute¹

First recorded in 1835–45; by analogy with ablative absolute

Example Sentences

Such a noun is in the nominative case, and is called nominative absolute, because it has no grammatical relation to any other part of the sentence; as, Mr. Brown having gone, we told the gentleman to see Mr. Jones.

From Project Gutenberg

Other idioms, which have generally been confounded with those last mentioned, have the indeterminate pronoun preceded by a nominative absolute.

From Project Gutenberg

A real nominative absolute is as illogical as a real accusative case governing a verb.

From Project Gutenberg

The nominative of direct address, and phrases in the nominative absolute construction are cut off by commas.

From Project Gutenberg

The construction is nominative absolute.

From Project Gutenberg