(His) homework done, Jim decided to go and see the play.

[diamondcutter]

His homework done, Jim decided to go and see the play.

Source: A New Advanced English Grammar, Zhang Zhenbang

This is an example sentence of the absolute construction in the book. I’d like to know if it’s more natural to leave out the word “his” like this.

Homework done, Jim decided to go and see the play

 

[5jj]

Neither sentence, with or without 'his' is particularly natural. I suppose that the form with 'his' is less unnatural.

 

[Tarheel]

Perhaps:

Having finished his homework, Jim decided to go see the play.

Is that what you have in mind?