The absolute construction is a secondary clause in a sentence that modifies the whole meaning of the main clause. It can form the first or last part of the sentence. The main clauses contain the essential information of the sentence.

The term absolute derives from Latin absolūtum, meaning "loosened from" or "separated". Because the non-finite clause, called the absolute clause (or simply the absolute), is not semantically attached to any single element in the sentence, it is easily confused with a dangling participle.