GMAT Tuesdays: Sentence Correction — Absolute vs Appositive Phrases

Question

These two noun phrases can be tough to distinguish. They can look almost identical at times because their structure is similar and they can appear anywhere in the sentence.

The real key is to understand how they are used. In this video, I hope to explain how these two different phrases are used and how to distinguish between them. It all comes down to usage.

https://magoosh.com/gmat/2015/gmat-tuesd ... e-phrases/

MartyTargetTestPrep · Accepted Answer

Yes there is.

Abstract appositives and absolute phrases are similar, in that both are made up of a noun + modifiers.

However, they function differently.

An abstract appostive names what was stated in the preceding clause, adding information in the process.

I went to the restaurant with Alexa,  an outing that was far more fun than staying at work .

The underlined part names what was stated in the preceding clause.

An abolute phrase does not name what was stated by preceding clause. It adds entirely new information.

The boxer bled profusely,  his eyes swollen by successive blows from the opponent .

The underlined portion adds entirely new information about the scenario.

Given the foregoing, do you still want to call the underlined portion of the following sentence an absolute phrase?

Scientists have recently discovered a new planet,  a discovery that will have significant implications .

MartyTargetTestPrep · Answer

I'm going to call the Q3/iridium example an abstract appositive. It names what's expressed by the preceding clause and modifies the preceding clause.

The modifier in the example 4/discovery example also has to be an abstract appositive. It names what's expressed by the preceding clause and modifies the preceding clause.

I mean, perhaps there is some kind of absolute phrase that's just like an abstract appositive, but I doubt it. That there would be doesn't make sense.

Meanwhile, the bottom line here is WHAT MAKES SENSE. We have two kinds of modifiers that YOU can categorize and understand yourself, regardless of what anyone else says. Each works in its own way and has its own logic. If you understand how they work and what makes sense, you are set.

Further, I can tell you that I scored V51 no problem long before I noticed that there is a difference between absolute phrases and abstract appositives. Noticing that difference and having a perfect understanding of how to categorize such modifiers if you see them in sentences isn't necessary for getting 100 percent of SC questions correct. So, if your goal is to rock GMAT verbal, then probably your understanding of the difference between these two types of modifiers is sufficient at this point.

Just make sure that you can tell whether the use of one of these modifiers is logical. That skill is what you really need.

Skywalker18 · Answer

1.  Appositive modifiers - two types
a.  Concrete  - used to describe items/people/things that you can actually detect(touch,hear,hold, smell etc) with your senses.

I went to the restaurant with Alexa,  a consultant from ABC corporation .
The plover gets its food by cleaning the mouth of the crocodile,  a reptile that could eat the bird at any time .

b.  Abstract 
I went to the restaurant with Alexa,  an outing that was far more fun than staying at work .
The plover gets its food by cleaning the mouth of the crocodile,  a relationship that benefits both animals .

*If appositive is concrete, it must modify the preceding noun. If appositive is abstract, it can modify the whole idea of the preceding clause.

2.  Absolute phrase - it does not modify any specific word in the clause; instead, they modify the entire clause, adding information.

a. Scientists have recently discovered a new planet,  a discovery that will have significant implications .

b. The boxer bled profusely,  his eyes swollen by successive blows from the opponent .

Q 1- Is there any difference between an abstract appositive modifier and an absolute phrase that uses a relative clause?

AjiteshArun  ,  GMATNinja  ,  MagooshExpert  ,  GMATGuruNY  ,  VeritasPrepBrian  ,  MartyTargetTestPrep  ,  DmitryFarber  ,  VeritasKarishma  ,  generis  ,  EducationAisle  ,  daagh  ,  RonPurewal  , other experts - please enlighten

Skywalker18 · Answer

Hi MartyTargetTestPrep , Thank you for your prompt reply

. I am still in a fix since the 'Scientist discovery' example seems to be an abstract appositive as per MGMAT video but it is stated as an example of absolute phrase in a SC book. (In my above post, the examples for appositives are from Thursdays with Ron and the absolute phrase examples(2, 3 and 4 stated in this post too) are from a SC Nirvana by Education aisle). 1. I went to the restaurant with Alexa, an outing that was far more fun than staying at work --> The appositive used here DOES NOT refer to a particular noun and it refers to the entire idea of the preceding clause. Thus, it is an abstract appositive. 2. The boxer bled profusely, his eyes swollen by successive blows from the opponent -->The absolute modifier used here DOES NOT modify any specific word in the previous clause; instead it modifies the entire clause. 3. Mike apologized for his wrong-doings, his head hanging in shame .-->The absolute modifier used here DOES NOT modify any specific word in the previous clause; instead it modifies the entire clause. 4. Scientists have recently discovered a new planet, a discovery that will have significant implications .--> The fact that scientists have recently observed a new planet is the discovery that the absolute modifier describes. Q 1-In the last example 4, does not a discovery modify the entire preceding clause? In my opinion, examples 1 and 4 in this post are the same type of modifier. Also, as per your inputs, both of them are abstract appositive ? Q2- Also, as listed in SC Nirvana, absolute phrases can be listed into three types- relative clause(example 4), present participial phrase(example 3) and past participial phrase(example 2). Can absolute phrase be in the form of a relative clause? Q3- Scientists have found high levels of iridium in certain geological formations around the world, results that suggest the cataclysmic impact of a meteor millions of years ago. --> It this modifier similar to example 4 stated above? Under which category(Abstract appositive or absolute modifier), would you classify it?

VerbalBot · Answer

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GMAT Tuesdays: Sentence Correction — Absolute vs Appositive Phrases

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GMAT Tuesdays: Sentence Correction — Absolute vs Appositive Phrases

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