294 - Living Constitutionally - A.J. Jacobs
You Are Not So Smart
Embrace the Absolute: Modern Grammar's Roots
Understanding 18th-century grammar enhances comprehension of historical texts, particularly through the use of absolute phrases. These phrases, which modify the main sentence without a verb, remain relevant in contemporary language, albeit in a simpler form. A modern example is 'weather permitting,' demonstrating that elements of past writing styles persist in our everyday communication.
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