The Nominative Absolute Participial Construction with Participle п.

Model: The preparation completed, we started off.

The construction consists of the nominal component (а noun or a pronoun) and participle II which form a syntactical complex, the nominal component and the participle being in predicative relation. The nominative absolute participial construction with participle П has the syntactical function of a detached adverbial modifier of attendant circumstances {a)/ manner (b), time (c), reason (d), condition (e).

a) The next day I observed you-myself unseen-for half an hour. She was smoking now, her eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

b) He sat on the sofa, his legs crossed.

c) The duster refolded and restored, he threw, his legs across the saddle.

"Give it to Harriet, please," was then the direction, "and she can put it away." This said, it turned and fixed its eyes on Mrs Brettoa

d) We began to talk, but my attention distracted by my surroundings, I took small notice of him.

e) He was a gentleman, but he was passionate, the cup once sipped, would he consent to put it down?

The Prepositional Absolute Construction with Participle II

Model: She went on reading with her eyes fixed on the pages of the book

The construction differs from the nominative absolute construction with participle II in that it is introduced by the preposition with, its nominal element hardly ever presented by a pronoun,- it is more closely related to the predicate verb and seldom set off by a comma.

The main syntactical function of the construction is that of an adverbial modifier of manner or attendant circumstances.

It is unhealthy to sleep with the windows shut.

Note: An additional idea of time, reason, or condition may be prompted by the context,

as in: I can't walk with my leg broken (reason).