A：獨立分詞構句 (absolute participial construction) 跟一般的句子差不多，唯一的差別是它沒有真正的動詞，因為主動詞變成了現在分詞或過去分詞，如 The two superstars signed autographs into the night, their faces beaming happily. (這兩位超級巨星的簽名會持續到夜晚，他們喜形於色 / 笑容滿面 / 臉上堆滿笑容)，在這句中，their faces beaming happily 就是獨立分詞構句。
由上可知，獨立分詞構句有主詞 (且與主句的主詞不同)，但沒有真正的動詞。值得注意的是，分詞構句並不是修飾主句中某一特定字；反之，它係修飾整個主句、附加或補充資料。因此，獨立分詞構句是在表示一種伴隨或附帶的情況。
同樣地，with 的複合結構也是在表示一種伴隨或附帶的情況，其句型為「with + 名詞 (代名詞) + 現在分詞/過去分詞/形容詞/副詞/介系詞片語」。因此，這兩種結構雖然型態不同，但所代表的意義是一樣的，如 He stood there, with his right hand raised. (他站在那裡，高舉著右手) － 注意：在這兩種結構中，現在分詞表主動，過去分詞表被動。茲將這兩種結構的句型以及它們之間的相等關係臚列於后並舉例說明之：
S1 + V1 + 連接詞 + S2 + V2
= S1 + V1 + S2 + 獨立分詞構句 (現在分詞或過去分詞 + 其他成分)
= S1 + V1 + with + S2 + 獨立分詞構句/形容詞/副詞/介系詞片語
- The teacher stood in front of the blackboard, and his arms were folded. (那位老師站在黑板前，雙臂抱胸)
= The teacher stood in front of the blackboard, and (he) folded his arms.
= The teacher stood in front of the blackboard, folding his arms.
= The teacher stood in front of the blackboard, his arms folded. (獨立分詞構句)
= The teacher stood in front of the blackboard, with his arms folded. (with 複合結構) - She played the piano, and I sang to the piano. (她彈鋼琴，我隨鋼琴旋律高歌)
= She played the piano, I singing to the piano. (獨立分詞構句)
= She played the piano, with me singing to the piano. (with 複合結構) - What a lonely world it will be if she is away. (如果她離開，這世界將會多麼孤寂啊！)
= What a lonely world it will be, she being away. (獨立分詞構句)
= What a lonely world it will be, with her being away. (with 複合結構)
= What a lonely world it will be with her away. (with 複合結構)
除了獨立分詞構句和 with 複合結構外，英文還有一種使用介系詞 in 來表示伴隨的獨立結構，此時 in 前後的兩個名詞均不可加任何成分 (如冠詞或所有格)，也不可用複數，如 A robber burst into the room, knife in hand. (knife 的前面不能有冠詞，而 hand 的前面不能加 his) (一名搶匪持刀闖入房間)。