An absolute phrase is a modifying phrase that is not directly connected to the rest of the sentence and is not an essential part of the sentence’s structure. It is set off by a comma. An absolute phrase typically includes a noun or pronoun and a participle or participle phrase, as well as any modifying words or phrases.

Here are some examples of absolute phrases:

• The wind howling, the doors shook (noun: “the wind”; participle: “howling”)
• His face red, he apologized (noun: “his face”; participle: “red”)
• The game over, the players left the field (noun: “the game”; participle: “over”)
• The sun setting, we headed home (noun: “the sun”; participle: “setting”)

In each of these examples, the absolute phrase is providing additional information about the noun or pronoun in the main clause of the sentence. It is not essential to the basic structure of the sentence, but it adds descriptive detail. The noun or pronoun in the absolute phrase is the main focus of the phrase, and the participle or participle phrase, as well as any modifying words or phrases, provide additional information about the noun or pronoun.