Grammar

In the phrase 'be about to', 'about' is traditionally classified as an adjective meaning 'willing to', 'ready to', or 'intending to'. This is a fixed idiomatic expression where 'about' describes the subject's state or intention. While modern linguists sometimes debate this classification, in traditional grammar 'be about to' is treated as a semi-auxiliary structure with 'about' as adjective.

'Above' functions as a preposition here, connecting 'clouds' as its object. It shows the spatial relationship between 'we were flying' and 'the clouds'. Prepositions like 'above', 'below', 'over' indicate position and require an object (here: 'the clouds'). It cannot be an adverb (no modification of 'flying' without object) or other part of speech.

'Above' functions as an adverb modifying the verbal phrase 'were acting'. It indicates direction/source ('from a higher position/authority') without an object. When 'above', 'below', 'abroad' etc. don't have a following noun, they act as adverbs. Here, 'from above' answers 'where were the instructions from?' making 'above' an adverb of place.

'Above' functions as an adjective modifying 'address'. It means 'aforementioned' or 'previously mentioned'. Adjectives modify nouns, and here 'above' describes 'address' telling us which address (the one mentioned before). This is a post-nominal adjective (comes after 'the'). It cannot be an adverb (adverbs don't modify nouns directly) or preposition (no object shown).

'Abreast' functions as an adverb modifying 'drew' in the phrasal verb 'drew abreast of'. It means 'alongside' or 'level with' and answers 'how did the car draw?' - it drew alongside. Adverbs modify verbs, and 'abreast' tells us the manner of the action. It cannot be an adjective (doesn't modify a noun) or preposition (the 'of' handles the object relationship in 'abreast of').

'Abrasion' is a noun naming a process/action (wearing away by friction). It functions as the object of the preposition 'to' in 'resistance to abrasion'. Nouns name things, concepts, or actions. Here, 'abrasion' names the process of wearing down. It cannot be a verb (no conjugation, not the main action), adjective (doesn't modify a noun), or other part of speech.

'Abroad' functions as an adverb modifying 'was'. It means 'in foreign lands' or 'away from one's country' and answers 'where was he famous?'. Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Here, 'abroad' tells us the place/scope where 'he was famous'. The structure 'at home and abroad' pairs a prepositional phrase with an adverb for contrast. It cannot be a noun (doesn't name a thing), adjective (doesn't modify a noun), or preposition.

'Abrupt' is an adjective modifying 'she'. It means 'abrupt' in the sense of 'rude', 'curt', or 'brusque' in manner. Adjectives modify nouns or pronouns, and here 'abrupt' describes the subject 'she' telling us her manner in the meeting. The structure 'was very abrupt' follows 'be-verb + adverb + adjective' pattern. It cannot be an adverb (adverbs don't modify pronouns) or noun.

'Absolute' is an adjective modifying 'fortune'. It means 'complete', 'total', or 'vast' in this context. Adjectives modify nouns, and here 'absolute' tells us the kind/nature of the 'fortune' - it's an immense fortune. It strengthens the meaning of 'fortune'. It cannot be an adverb (adverbs don't modify nouns), noun (doesn't name the fortune itself), or verb.

The word 'absent' describes the state of love in his childhood. It is functioning as an adjective because it modifies the noun 'love' by describing its quality or state. Adjectives describe nouns or pronouns, which is exactly what 'absent' does here.

The word 'absented' is the past tense of the verb 'absent' meaning to withdraw or keep away. Here it shows what he did - he withdrew himself from the office. Verbs express actions or states of being, and this word clearly expresses an action that took place.

The word 'absolutes' functions as a noun here because it refers to things or concepts - moral absolutes are principles that are considered absolute or unchanging. Nouns name people, places, things, or ideas, and 'absolutes' names the concepts of right and wrong in her moral framework.

The word 'absorbed' is the past participle of the verb 'absorb' used in a passive voice construction. The cream receives the action of being absorbed into the skin. This is clearly a verb because it describes what happens to the cream - it undergoes the action of absorption.

The word 'absorbed' functions as an adjective here because it describes her state or condition while reading. It means she was deeply engaged or engrossed in her book. Past participles can function as adjectives when they describe the state of the subject rather than an action being performed.

It is passive voice of simple past tense.