4. The Nominative Absolute Participial Construction

Its translation mostly depends on the syntactic function of this multifunctional construction. Generally it’s rendered by a subordinate or coordinate clause.

If it is used as an adverbial modifier of time in Ukrainian translation the clause is introduced by the conjunctions КОЛИ, ПІСЛЯ ТОГО ЯК.

E.g. The task completed he could have a rest. Коли справу було завершено, вони вирішили перепочити.

As an adverbial modifier of cause this construction requires the conjunction ОСКІЛЬКИ. Sometimes the construction itself is not preceded by a conjunction though the clause which follows it is introduced by the conjunction А ТОМУ.

E.g. It being very hot and stuffy he felt quite drained. Оскільки було дуже спекотно і задушливо, він почувався зовсім виснаженим.

It being too late to catch a train he decided to wait. Було надто пізно, щоб встигнути на поїзд, а тому він вирішив зачекати.

As an adverbial modifier of condition the construction is introduced by the conjunctions ЯКЩО, ЗА УМОВИ ЩО.

E.g. The weather permitting, we can admire the beauty of this quiet nook. Якщо дозволить погода/погода не зіпсується, ми можемо помилуватися красою цього тихого куточка.

As an adverbial modifier of attendant circumstances the construction is rendered by a coordinate clause introduced by the conjunctions І, А. Sometimes we can use a participial phrase (дієприслівниковий зворот).

E.g. She looked at me her hands clasping nervously. Вона дивилася на мене, нервово стискаючи руки. / Вона дивилася на мене, а її руки нервово стискалися.

5. The Prepositional Absolute Participial Construction

This construction is monofunctional, as it can be used only as an adverbial modifier of attendant circumstances. In English it is always introduced by the preposition WITH. It’s important to mention that this preposition is very rarely translated into Ukrainian.

E.g. She sat on the sofa with her head bent. Вона сиділа на дивані з опущеною головою.

In most cases it is translated by a coordinate clause introduced by the conjunctions А,І as well as a participial phrase (дієприслівниковий зворот). This translation can be explained by the syntactic function of an adverbial modifier denoting an action which accompanies the action expressed in the main clause.

E.g. She sat quietly with her eyes fixed on the fire. Вона спокійно сиділа, не зводячи очей з вогню.

The girl rushed out of the room, her father following her. Дівчинка вибігла з кімнати, і батько прослідував за нею.

6. The Nominative Absolute and the Prepositional Absolute Constructions

These constructions structurally look very much the same as the corresponding participial constructions. The relation of the predication in complexes of this type is realized through a prepositional phrase, an adjective, or an adverb. Like in the above-mentioned constructions, their translation depends on their syntactic functions.

The Nominative Absolute Construction usually performs the function of an adverbial modifier of time and it’s translated by a clause of time introduced by the Ukrainian conjunctions КОЛИ, ПІСЛЯ ТОГО ЯК.

E.g. The children hungry, the mother gave them some sandwiches. Коли діти зголодніли, мати нагодувала їх бутербродами.

In the function of an adverbial modifier of attendant circumstances both constructions are translated by participial phrases or coordinate clauses with the conjunctions І, А.

E.g. She sat, her eyes on fire. Вона сиділа, не зводячи очей з вогню.

Now, with this visit in prospect, he couldn’t think of anything else. Тепер, плануючи цю поїздку, він не міг думати ні про що інше.

It’s important to remember about the peculiarities of translation of the Nominative Absolute Participial and Nominative Absolute Constructions which structurally look rather similar. In case there is the adverb OVER in them, their meaning and consequently the translation can be quite different.

The Nominative Absolute Participial construction in which the adverb OVER is preceded by participle I of the verb TO BE, always has a causal meaning and the clause in Ukrainian translation is introduced by the conjunction ОСКІЛЬКИ.

E.g. The classes being over, the children went home. Оскільки заняття закінчились, діти пішли додому.

The Nominative Absolute Construction in which the adverb OVER follows the nominal part, expresses the temporal meaning and the clause is introduced by the conjunctions КОЛИ, ПІСЛЯ ТОГО ЯК.

E.g. The classes over, the children went home. Коли заняття закінчилися, діти пішли додому.

This difference in translation can be explained by the peculiarity of participle I of the verb TO BE which never expresses temporal meaning.