These constructions are called absolute because they are not dependent on any other part of the including sentence, though they cannot be used without it, as they lack a finite verb form and thus have no predicate.
1) From the point of view of their transformational possibility, absolute constructions fall into two types: verbal and non-verbal.
А. Constructions with verbals as their second part.
When transformed into clauses they retain their predicate part, which takes a proper tense-aspect form.
She sat on the porch, Mary playing with her doll. ― She sat on the porch, and (while) Mary was playing with her doll.
В. Constructions with non-verbals with an adjective, a stative, an adverb or a noun (with a preposition) as their second part.
When transformed into clauses, a proper form of the link verb to be must be introduced, as these constructions lack a verbal component of their own.
He marched out of the room, his head high up. ― He marched out of the room, and his head was high up.
2) Absolute constructions may have two forms: non-prepositional and prepositional. The latter is introduced by the preposition with (in the case of the infinitive construction it may be without):
He was coming to us, his hands up.
Dinner over, everybody rose.
Non-prepositional Absolute Constructions
1. The absolute nominative with Participle I construction (the most frequently used):
It being late, he bolted the windows.
2. The absolute nominative with Participle II construction:
Dinner served, Mrs Marlow rang the bell. ― When dinner was served…
3. The absolute nominative with the Infinitive construction:
There they remained, some of them to be entirely forgotten. ― … and some of them were to be entirely forgotten.
4. The absolute nominative with the adjective construction:
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She stood under the tree, her head full of strange ideas. ―…and her head was full…
Her heart full of despair, she could not say a word. ― Asher heart was full…
5. The absolute nominative with the stative construction:
The gallery door slightly ajar, I could hear the steps of the soldiers.
6. The absolute nominative with the adverb construction:
Tea over, she again summoned us to the fire. ― When tea was over…
7. The absolute nominative with a prepositional noun construction:
I waited, every nerve upon the stretch.
All in the room, she called in Molly.