ON THE SEMANTIC INDETERMINACY OF THE ENGLISH ABSOLUTE CONSTRUCTION

Abstract

The syntactic function the English absolute construction can have in the sentence is that of a modifier expressing various adverbial meanings. Because of the absence of standard subordinators explicitly indicating a given adverbial relation, the semantics of each individual case is to be interpreted within and determined by the pragmatic and linguistic context. This semantic indeterminacy of the English absolute construction is one of its most characteristic features. The present paper discusses the possible meanings of the various types of absolute constructions in English and reflects on some factors influencing their interpretation.