Hi Kevin, thanks for the video. I have a doubt, you said absolute phrases do not take verbs. But in the second sentence which you mentioned, a well regulated militia ...., isn't 'being' a verb here?
Hi Muskaan! Happy to clear this up for you! The answer is no, 'being' is actually not functioning as a verb here. Instead, the phrase "being necessary..." is acting as an adjective. This is another grammar topic that is tested on the GMAT, and it's called a present participle. Basically, when you see the '-ing' form of a verb (such as 'being') preceded by a comma, the entire phrase is actually acting as an adjective. Here, the entire phrase "[comma] being necessary to the security of the State" is functioning as an adjective to describe what came before it ("a well regulated militia") You can read more about this in our post here: magoosh.com/gmat/participle-phrases-on-the-gmat/ Hope that clears it up! - Gordon
Hi Vina! I don't have plans to make new videos soon, but we do have a blog post that covers a lot of the ways you can use "with"! :D I hope this helps! magoosh.com/gmat/2012/gmat-preposition-with/
Great question! :D Yes, an absolute phrase can act as an adjective phrase. But maybe a better way to think about it: an adjective phrase can be a type of absolute phrase. :D In this case, the absolute phrase comes after a modified noun and adds a focused detail or point to the idea in the main clause.
Hello Kevin - your videos are very helpful. Thanks! I have a question as of what is the difference between Appositive and Absolute phrases. Please explain with examples.
Does the second example not mean A well regulated militia ,..modifier...,the right of the people , ...mod.... , shall not be infringed 1. Is that not the the core ? 2. The right..... , shall (verb) ... So why is there comma between the subject ( the right ) and the verb (shall) ? Please clarify
The US Constitution isn't known for following the conventions of 21st century English grammar. In fact, it can be a bit of a trainwreck! So it's okay if it doesn't make sense...As you've noted, there should definitely not be a comma between the subject "the right" and the verb "shall not be infringed."
Kevin, do you have a video on noun phrases as well?
Can we use absolute phrases in our speech?
pls, tell me more about semantic relation between absolute phrases and the main clause. thanks
Hi Kevin, thanks for the video. I have a doubt, you said absolute phrases do not take verbs. But in the second sentence which you mentioned, a well regulated militia ...., isn't 'being' a verb here?
Hi Muskaan!
Happy to clear this up for you!
The answer is no, 'being' is actually not functioning as a verb here. Instead, the phrase "being necessary..." is acting as an adjective.
This is another grammar topic that is tested on the GMAT, and it's called a present participle. Basically, when you see the '-ing' form of a verb (such as 'being') preceded by a comma, the entire phrase is actually acting as an adjective.
Here, the entire phrase "[comma] being necessary to the security of the State" is functioning as an adjective to describe what came before it ("a well regulated militia")
You can read more about this in our post here:
magoosh.com/gmat/participle-phrases-on-the-gmat/
Hope that clears it up!
- Gordon
Hi , your video is very helpful . could please explaine all types of phrases with exercices
Hi Kevin. Do you mind making a video on the usage of "with"?
Hi Vina! I don't have plans to make new videos soon, but we do have a blog post that covers a lot of the ways you can use "with"! :D I hope this helps!
magoosh.com/gmat/2012/gmat-preposition-with/
Looks great! Thanks :)
Woohoo! :D
Can absolute phrases act as adjective modifiers?
Great question! :D Yes, an absolute phrase can act as an adjective phrase. But maybe a better way to think about it: an adjective phrase can be a type of absolute phrase. :D In this case, the absolute phrase comes after a modified noun and adds a focused detail or point to the idea in the main clause.
Hello Kevin - your videos are very helpful. Thanks! I have a question as of what is the difference between Appositive and Absolute phrases. Please explain with examples.
Hi +Nang Kris
Great question! I am going to record new videos this Friday, so I'll address this question in an upcoming video. :D
Does the second example not mean
A well regulated militia ,..modifier...,the right of the people , ...mod.... , shall not be infringed
1. Is that not the the core ?
2. The right..... , shall (verb) ... So why is there comma between the subject ( the right ) and the verb (shall) ?
Please clarify
The US Constitution isn't known for following the conventions of 21st century English grammar. In fact, it can be a bit of a trainwreck! So it's okay if it doesn't make sense...As you've noted, there should definitely not be a comma between the subject "the right" and the verb "shall not be infringed."
Kevin , I didn't understand this topic . Could you please explore?
only doing and do-ed can be in absolute phrase, other noun modifiers can not