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Changing clause of condition to absolute phrase and participle w

English Language & Usage Asked on January 12, 2021

1a. When I have money I will buy a car.

2a. If my parents allow I’ll go abroad.

Can these sentence be changed into a absolute participle phrase? For example

1b. Having money, I’ll buy a car.

2b. Parents allowing, I’ll go abroad.

One Answer

(I) The problem with your first example is that

  • (1b) Having money, I'll buy a car.

defaults to the reading/s

  • (1a') I have the money; I'll buy a car. or
  • (1a'') I have the money, so I'll buy a car.

unless there is context forcing a different timeframe, such as

  • (1bb) I'll have made tens of thousands by this time next year. Having money, I'll buy a car.

Standalone, it is unacceptable to reduce your first sentence in this way.

..................

(II) I'd not use 'allow' without a direct object; I'd choose

  • (2a') If my parents allow me to / let me[,] I'll go abroad.

........

  • (3b) Weather permitting, we'll get there by Thursday.

shows a fully idiomatic use of a near-identical absolute clause to the one you suggest. I'd say, however, that

  • (2b') Parents permitting, I'll go abroad next year

is at least partly tongue-in-cheek (so fine in a humorous or rueful conversation) whereas 'Parents allowing, ...', which doesn't mimic the archetypal example so closely, sounds a little unnatural. Not ungrammatical, and not giving an unintended meaning, but I'd find an alternative.

Answered by Edwin Ashworth on January 12, 2021

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