(3) Absolutely with a noun or pronoun going before; as,

The weather being fine, I went out.

Many having arrived, we were freed from anxiety.
Weather permitting, there will be a garden party at Government House tomorrow.
God willing, we shall have another good monsoon.
The sea being smooth, we went for sail.
The wind having failed, the crew set to work with a will.
His master being absent, the business was neglected.
The wind being favourable, they embarked.
It will be seen that in each of the above sentences the Participle with the noun or pronoun going before
it, forms a phrase independent of the rest of the sentence. Such a phrase is called an Absolute Phrase;
and a noun or pronoun so used with a participle is called a Nominative Absolute.

269. An Absolute Phrase can be easily changed into a subordinate clause; as,
Spring advancing, the swallows appear. [When spring advances. -Clause of Time.]
The sea being smooth, we went for a sail. [Because the sea was smooth. - Clause of Reason.]
God willing, we shall meet again. [If God is willing. - Clause of Condition.]

Errors in the Use of Participles

270.Since the participle is a verb-adjective it must be attached to some noun or pronoun;in other words,
it must always have a proper 'subject of reference'.

The following sentences are incorrect because in each case the Participle is left without proper
agreement:
1. Standing at the gate, a scorpion stung him. (As it is, the sentence reads as if the scorpion was
standing at the gate.)
2. Going up the hill, an old temple was seen.
3. Entering the room, the light was quite dazzling.

We should, therefore, recast these sentences as shown below:

1. Standing at the gate, he was stung by a scorpion.Or: While he was standing at the gate, a
scorpion stung him.
2. When we went up the hill, we saw an old temple.
3. Entering the room, I found the light quite dazzling.Or: When I entered the room, the light was
quite dazzling.
271. Usage, however, permits in certain cases such constructions as the following where the participle is
left without a proper 'subject of references. [The Participle in such cases is called an Impersonal
Absolute].
 Taking everything into consideration, the Magistrate was perfectly justified in issuing those
orders.
Considering his abilities, he should have done better.
Roughly speaking, the distance from here to the nearest railway station is two miles.

It will be noticed that in the above instances the unexpressed subject is indefinite.
Thus, 'Roughly speaking' = If one speaks roughly.

272. Sometimes, as in the following examples, the Participle is understood:-

Sword (being) in hand, he rushed on the jailor.
Breakfast (having been) over, we went out for a walk