Question

select the absolute phrase in this sentence "his chubby legs, pumping,the baby toddled across the room with his first wobbly steps.

Answer 1

Answer: The absolute phrase in the sentence provided is "his chubby legs, pumping".

Explanation: An absolute phrase is a phrase that is separated from the rest of the sentence by means of a comma. Moreover, absolute phrases only add non-essential information; therefore, if they are eliminated, the meaning of the sentence does not change. Absolute phrases are usually made up of a noun and its modifiers as finite verbs cannot be included. In the sentence provided, "his chubby legs, pumping" is an absolute phrase because it has been set apart from the rest of the sentence by a comma and it is made up of a noun ("legs") and its modifiers. Furthermore, "his chubby legs, pumping" does not include a finite verb.

Answer 2

From the definition of absolute phrases we know that it is a modifier that attaches to a sentence without a conjunctution. So, we can say "his chubby legs, pumping" is the correct answer.