absolute constructs

English grammar questions, answered by Alan

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Alan
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Re: absolute constructs

Post by Alan »

Provided you amended it to "...scattering its contents", I would accept the first.

If, however, you wished to retain a true absolute construction, you might say e.g. 'its contents spilling all over...'.

As regards the second, obviously it is grammatically possible and meaningful (although not particularly natural).
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