Commas to set off absolute phrases

An absolute phrase, which modifies the whole sentence, usually consists of a noun followed by a participle or participial phrase. Absolute phrases may appear at the beginning or at the end of a sentence. Wherever they appear, they should be set off with commas.

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: Time having run out the contestant took a wild guess. Revised sentence: Time having run out, the contestant took a wild guess.

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: The sun appearing for the first time in a week we were at last able to begin the archaeological dig. Revised sentence: The sun appearing for the first time in a week, we were at last able to begin the archaeological dig.

Do not insert a comma between the noun and the participle in an absolute construction.

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: The next contestant, being five years old, the emcee adjusted the height of the microphone. Revised sentence: The next contestant being five years old, the emcee adjusted the height of the microphone.

Style note: Absolute phrases

Exercise: Major uses of the comma 1

Exercise: Major uses of the comma 2

Exercise: All uses of the comma

Related topic:

Participial phrases

participle A form of a verb that works as a modifier. The -ing form is a present participle; the -ed or -en form is a past participle.

participial phrase A present or past participle and its objects, complements, or modifiers.