nominativus pendens

English

Examples

Two forms of the second amendment of the US Constitution
As passed by Congress: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
The underlined expression is a nominativus pendens.
As ratified by the States: A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
The underlined expression is a nominative absolute

Etymology

From Latin nominativus (“nominative case”) + pendens (“hanging, waiting”).

Noun

nominativus pendens

  1. (grammar) A noun phrase, introduced as if the subject of a sentence, that is not actually used as such.
  2. (rhetoric) Intentional use of such a construction.

See also

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