Практическая грамматика

§ 14. Absolute constructions without a participle.
There are two types of absolute constructions in which we find no participle. The second element of the construction is an adjective, a prepositional phrase, or an adverb.
1. The Nominative Absolute Construction. It is used in the function of an adverbial modifier of time or attendant circumstances. In the function of an adverbial modifier of time this construction is rendered in Russian by an adverbial clause.
Breakfast over, he went to his counting house. (Ch. Bronte)
Когда кончили завтракать, он пошел в свою контору.
In the function of an adverbial modifier of attendant circumstances the Nominative Absolute Construction is rendered either by a coordinate clause, деепричастный оборот, or a noun (pronoun) with the preposition c.
The girl sat quite silent and still, her eyes fixed on the floor.
Девушка сидела молча и неподвижно, глаза ее были устремлены на пол.
They were walking on again, John calmly drawing at his pipe.
И снова они пошли, Джон спокойно курил свою трубку.
Mind the difference between the meaning of the following constructions: The lesson (concert, lecture) over... and The lesson (concert, lecture) being over... The lesson over has a temporal meaning, whereas the lesson being over has as a rule a causal meaning.
2. The Prepositional Absolute Construction. It is introduced by the preposition with and is mostly used in the function of an adverbial modifier of attendant circumstances. In rendering this construction in Russian a coordinate clause or деепричастный оборот is used.
He was slowly walking in the direction of the lake, with his dog following him.
Он медленно шел по направлению к озеру, за ним следовала его собака.
The child ran to her father with her arms outstretched.
Ребенок бежал к отцу, протягивая руки.
The Nominative Absolute Participial Construction and the Nominative Absolute Construction are as a rule separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma or a semicolon.