Scott,
See my bibliography on natural language development at: http://home.pct.edu/~evavra/Bib/DevLang.htm
The work by Hunt is particularly important. If students do not develop gerundives (participles that function as adjectives) until late middle or high school, it is unlikely that they will cognitively master noun absolutes. That does not mean that such phrases do not show up in any students writing. I haven't had as much time as I would like to devote to this research, but it would not surprise me to see noun absolutes in the writing of fifth or sixth graders. But it would almost certainly be in the writing of students who are habitual readers.
It's an interesting question, and I hope you enjoy exploring it.
Best wishes,
Ed



From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Scott Woods
Sent: Sunday, February 01, 2009 11:53 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Developmental phases of grammar knowledge

Dear List,

I have read that some constructions do not appear in student writing until they are at the right age.  I do not recall where I read this, but it seems to go against my experience, specifically, as I recall, the claim that absolute phrases do not show up until students are around 16.   Has anyone else read anything like this?  Does anyone have any references for this? Is this a widespread idea?

Scott Woods


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