Rule reminder

An absolute construction (costruzione assoluta) consists of a past participle (or present participle) that forms a self-contained clause, usually placed before the main clause. It can express time, cause, or condition. Example: 'Finita la riunione, tutti uscirono.' The construction is 'absolute' because its subject is separate from the main-clause subject. The participle agrees in gender and number with its own subject: 'Aperta la finestra, l'aria entrò.' / 'Aperti i pacchi, si scoprì il contenuto.'