ABLATIVE ABSOLUTE

ABLATIVE ABSOLUTE

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Adjective vs adverb

El perro cansado se echó a dormir. – Adjective

Cansado, el perro se echó a dormir. – Adverb.

In some cases the PAST PARTICIPLE is used in detached clauses without being connected to a verb. The participle may relate to the subject of the sentence or maybe totally unconnected with it.

Related:

His wife, having been accustomed to a luxurious life, could not suffer so many privations.

Su mujer, acostumbrada a una vida lujosa, no pudo sufrir tantas privaciones.

Unconnected:

My girlfriend gone, the place no longer held any attraction for me.

Ida mi novia, el lugar ya no me tenía ningún atractivo.

When the participle does not refer to the subject of the sentence, it is called an absolute clause or the ABLATIVE ABSOLUTE.

Examples:

1. My work having been completed, I sat down to rest.

Concluida mi tarea, me senté a descansar.

2. The war being over, the soldiers returned home.

3. The preparations having been made, we took off.

4. The tyrant being dead, the town had no one to hate.

5. The route having been decided upon, the members of the expedition set out.

6. The tooth having been extracted, the mayor breathed a sigh of relief* (suspiro de alivio)