Absolute participial constructions

Ex. 1. Point out nominative absolute participial constructions in the following sentences and define their functions.

1. The Strand, it being the hour when the theatres began to empty themselves, was a roaring torrent of humanity and vehicles.... (P. W.) 2. She looked at me, her eyes widening. (H. R.) 3. Liza and Tom and the Blakestones had got a seat together, Liza being between the two men. (S. M.) 4....the complication which the doctor had feared having ensued, recovery was impossible. (S. M.) 5. "You're worse than Claire," said Ray, her eyes ceasing to glitter. (White) 6. He glared at Tom with outrage, his eyes glittering... with excitement. (Bates). 7. She had put some order into the drawing-room by now, her housewifely instincts having got the better of her dismay. (S. M.) 8. She said it in a low voice, a spasm of pain crossing her face. (A. Chr.) 9. And in the evening after the high tea which was their last meal, they sat in the stiff parlour, the ladies working and Dr. Macphail smoking his pipe, the missionary told them of his work in the island. (S. M.) 10. Then his face lightening, he ran to the desk. (A. Chr.) 11. Dinner began in silence; the women facing one another and the man. (Galsw.) 12. "It's a rum business," said Sergeant Pollock, his eyes wandering to the littered floor. (A. Chr.) 13. Sitting like that, his eyes half-closed, tasting blood, an image began to form hazily in his mind.... (I. Sh.) 14. Supper finished, he led him into the parlour.... (S. M.) 15. In the house, the lamp lighted, Saxon looked at the coin. (J. L.) 16. And there I lay for a blasted hour, everybody hitting the lower path. (J. L.)

Ex. 2. Point out nominative absolute participial constructions in the following sentences. Translate the sentences into Russian.

1. He found that Anne had advanced into the hall, her hands folded upon her apron, her eyes contemplating him.... (Cron.) 2. She counted out the money from her bulging purse, her fingers trembling, her eyes snapping at him. (Cron.) 3. As she approached the end of the bundle (of notes) she went slower and slower, her sly black eyes twinkling.... (Cron.) 4. Mrs. Bramwell's evening began at nine o'clock, the late hour being chosen out of consideration for the medical gentlemen who might be detained at their surgeries. (Cron.) 5. They walked silently through the street, Tom very grave, Liza weeping bitterly. (S. M.) 6. She turned, losing her restraint, her eyes sparkling with honest indignation. (Cron.) 7. Denny lit a cigarette, his fingers shaking so violently he could barely hold the match. (Cron.) 8. Fleur having declared that it was "simply too wonderful to stay indoors," they all went out. (Galsw.) 9. It being a hot day, and all of us thirsty, she suggested that we should have a glass of beer. (S. M.) 10. She never was a great talker. Often when, the night being fine, we decided to walk back from the music-hall at which we had been spending the evening, she never opened her mouth. (S. M.) 11. "You know any of them?" I whispered. "Yes," he said simply, his voice trembling a little. (H. R.) 12. It was quite light. A few miners were already in the street: the first of the night shift moving out. As Andrew walked with them, spent and slow, his footsteps echoing with the others under the morning sky, he kept thinking blindly: "I've done something...." (Cron.) 13. This important point settled, Casanova was about to proceed to others.... (R. Aid.) 14. All being settled, he went to bed and slept soundly. (S. M.) 15. The waltz in the back room being finished, three couples followed by the fiddler and the pianist and heading for the bar, caught Daylight's eyes. (J. L.) 16. This done, he seized some strips of long yellow paper about three inches wide. (Law.)

Ex. 3. Recast the following sentences so as to use adverbial clauses instead of nominative absolute participial constructions.

1. "No," said Val, setting forward her face growing dark with purpose. 2. In a moment Lewis leapt from the car, his eyes blazing with excitement. 3. His statement is that he left here at half past two yesterday afternoon, the manager having no further need for him. 4. She paused, her gaze still questioning him, her tone striving to be off-hand. 5. Ten minutes later I saw them in the water together, Chris swimming away with a grim little stroke she had, and Bill wallowing riotously around her and ahead of her, sometimes pausing and staring at her. 6. Scarcely nodding to us, he went down the walk, his dog running after him. 7. Andrew remained at the gate, his pulse racing suddenly as Alice came down the steps and walked toward him, alone. 8. It was Nancy herself who opened the door for Andrew, her face welcoming, smiling towards him. 9. "Yes," said Maggie, the worried look receding from his face. 10. He woke during the still hot nights, his hand reaching automatically to his bedside table for a cigarette. 11. The hour being early, the saloon bar into which they made their way was free from the crowds which would have interfered with a quiet chat between old friends. 12. She blushed, the hot, red colour running up her neck and across her face. 13. Then she saw the stained point, and she drew back, her eyes widening with horror. 14. This having been settled, Bartolomeo left them. 15. Preliminary remarks being over, I now precede to the deal.

Ex. 4. Recast the following sentences so as to use the nominative absolute participial construction.

1. When a fortnight of his notice to Mrs. Grant had expired Mike really began to worry. 2. The rain showed no sign of stopping, and at length with umbrellas and waterproofs they set out. 3. When the door bell rang, Lesley rose and left the room. 4. At last his preparations were complete — the flowers, the food, the wine upon the ice; his eyes surveyed the scene with shining intensity. 5. Now that the examination was so close at hand, a queer calmness had settled upon him. 6. His brain was inactive, almost dull. He felt that he knew nothing. 7. Now that the moment had come he found it difficult to speak. 8. After tea when all the lamps were lit, work went more briskly. 9. After Oscar had gone, Liza stood for a moment in the hall. 10. After it was settled that Joy should come down to Blackstable, Mrs. Grey had thought much how she should treat him. 11. When it was finished assuming my best company manners, 1 turned to Mrs. Driffield. 12. When Julia and Simmy had decided to try their luck in London, Jimmie Field had written to her asking her to do what she could for them. 13. When the massage was finished Evie brought Julia a cup of tea. 14. After she had gone he got to thinking the matter over.

Ex. 5. Make up sentences using the following nominative absolute participial constructions.

1....the weather being fine. 2. It being a cold day.... 3. The night being fine.... 4....his voice trembling. 5. The working day being over.... 6....his eyes widening. 7....his cheeks reddening. 8....her face lightening. 9. My friend having declared.... 10....his hand reaching for a cigarette. 11. The hour being early.... 12. His curiosity having got the better of the fear.... 13. The child weeping bitterly.... 14....her eyes sparkling with indignation.... 15. The door bell ringing.... 16. This finished....