More than just “after”
A participio absoluto first of all says that something is complete. In context it often takes on a second meaning: a reason, a condition or an immediate sequence. The main clause shows which one is meant. That is exactly what makes the form so compact in reports and arguments.
Full clause
Ya que hemos considerado todos los factores, la propuesta nos parece viable.
Since we have considered all the factors, we think the proposal is feasible.
Participio absoluto
Considerados todos los factores, la propuesta nos parece viable.
All factors considered, we think the proposal is feasible.
Three readings
Agotadas las entradas, el teatro añadió una función más.
The tickets having sold out, the theatre added an extra performance.
Reason
Aceptada esta premisa, lo demás se deduce solo.
Once you accept this premise, the rest follows.
Condition
Nada más terminada la cena, se fue a dormir.
As soon as dinner was over, he went to bed.
Immediate sequence with nada más
Which verbs work
The noun after the participle is either the object of a transitive verb or the subject of a verb of change: llegar, nacer, morir, desaparecer, pasar. Verbs that only describe an activity, like hablar, trabajar or viajar, do not form a participio absoluto.
Llegado el invierno, cerramos la casa de la playa.
When winter came, we shut up the beach house.
llegar, the noun is the subject
Desaparecida la amenaza, los vecinos volvieron a sus casas.
With the threat gone, residents returned to their homes.
desaparecer, the noun is the subject
Revisadas las cuentas, no encontramos ningún error.
Having checked the accounts, we found no mistakes.
revisar, the noun is the object
Without a noun of its own
If the subject is the same as in the main clause, the noun can be left out. The participle then agrees with that subject. It is usually preceded by una vez, nada más or apenas, so that it does not read as a mere adjective. English often uses once in the same way: Once settled in, …
Una vez llegados al hotel, nos dimos una ducha.
Once we got to the hotel, we had a shower.
llegados agrees with nosotros.
Una vez instaladas en el piso, las chicas salieron a cenar.
Once settled into the flat, the girls went out for dinner.
instaladas agrees with las chicas.
Apenas terminados los exámenes, se marcharon de viaje.
The exams barely over, they went off on holiday.
Fixed formulas for writing
A few formulas come up again and again in arguments and reports. Where a noun follows, the participle agrees with it here too.
Dadas las circunstancias, aplazamos la reunión.
Given the circumstances, we are postponing the meeting.
Vistos los resultados, conviene cambiar de estrategia.
In view of the results, we should change our strategy.
El plan tiene riesgos; dicho lo cual, creo que merece la pena.
The plan has its risks; that said, I think it's worth it.
Salvadas las distancias, su caso recuerda al nuestro.
Allowing for the differences, their case is reminiscent of ours.
